K-3 Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen)

The K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa category for spouses of United States citizens who are waiting for their Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to be approved. The K-3 visa allows spouses of U.S. citizens to enter the United States and wait for their immigrant visa petition to be processed.

To be eligible for a K-3 visa, an individual must be married to a U.S. citizen and have a pending Form I-130 petition. The U.S. citizen spouse must file the Form I-130 petition and the Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), concurrently. The Form I-129F must be approved before the K-3 visa can be issued.

Once the K-3 visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States and wait for their immigrant visa to be processed. While in the United States, K-3 visa holders are allowed to work and travel freely within the country. However, they cannot change their immigration status or extend their stay beyond the validity of their K-3 visa.

Once the Form I-130 petition is approved, the K-3 visa holder can apply for an immigrant visa and adjust their status to permanent resident. It is important to note that the K-3 visa is only valid for two years and cannot be renewed. If the Form I-130 petition is not approved within the two-year validity of the K-3 visa, the individual will have to return to their home country and wait for their immigrant visa to be processed.

Overall, the K-3 visa provides a faster and more convenient way for spouses of U.S. citizens to reunite with their loved ones while waiting for their immigrant visa to be processed. It allows them to enter the United States and live and work while they wait for their Form I-130 petition to be approved.