K-1 Visa (Fiance of U.S. Citizen)

The K-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows the fiancé or fiancée of a United States citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. This visa is also known as the "fiancé visa."

To be eligible for a K-1 visa, the applicant must be engaged to a United States citizen and must have met their fiancé in person at least once within the past two years. The marriage must be legally possible according to the laws of the state in which the marriage will take place, and the couple must have the intention to marry within 90 days of the fiancé's arrival in the United States.

The process of obtaining a K-1 visa involves several steps. First, the United States citizen fiancé must file a Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form must be accompanied by evidence of the relationship, including photographs, letters, and other documentation.

Once the petition is approved, it will be forwarded to the United States embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. The applicant will then be required to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate, during which they will be asked questions about their relationship and their intentions for the future.

If the visa is granted, the applicant will be allowed to enter the United States for a period of 90 days. During this time, the couple must get married. Once the marriage takes place, the fiancé can apply for permanent residence (a green card) through the Adjustment of Status process.

It's important to note that the K-1 visa is a single-entry visa, which means that the holder must enter the United States within the validity period of the visa. If the holder leaves the United States before getting married, they will not be allowed to return on the K-1 visa and will need to apply for a different type of visa.

Overall, the K-1 visa provides a way for foreign fiancés of United States citizens to come to the United States to get married and begin the process of obtaining permanent residence. However, it's important for couples to carefully follow all of the requirements and to be prepared for the process of applying for and obtaining the visa.