When a relationship crosses borders, the fiancé (K-1) visa becomes a key option for many couples.
The K-1 visa is a common option for couples who want to get married in the United States, but the process often raises a lot of questions, especially about how long it takes, what can be done while it’s pending, and what happens after approval.
In this article from Lorenzo Law Group/Immigration Lawyers we clearly explain how the fiancé visa works, the approximate times, the requirements and the most common situations that couples face along the way.
What does the fiancé visa in the USA consist of?
The fiancé visa, officially known as the K-1 visa, allows a foreign person to enter the United States to marry their partner, who must be a U.S. citizen.
This visa has a very clear objective: to celebrate the marriage within the United States and then start the process to obtain permanent residency.
In simple terms, the fiancé visa works like this:
- The U.S. citizen petitions for his or her fiancé from the United States.
- The foreign fiancé legally enters the country on a K-1 visa.
- The couple must marry within 90 days of entry.
- After marriage, adjustment of status for residency is requested.
Types of Fiancé Visa
In couple-based immigration processes, there are two main visas that tend to generate confusion: the fiancé visa and the marriage visa. Although both allow couples to live together in the United States, they do not work the same or apply to the same situations.
Fiancé Visa (K-1)
The K-1 visa is for couples who are not yet married and plan to get married in the United States.
Its main characteristics are:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
- The couple must prove a real, in-person relationship
- The marriage must be celebrated within 90 days of entry into the country
- After marriage, adjustment of status is applied for
This visa is usually a good option when the couple wants to get married in the United States and start the residency process from here.
Marriage Visa (CR-1 or IR-1)
The marriage visa applies when the couple is already married and one of the spouses is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
There are two types:
- CR-1: for married couples less than two years old at the time of approval of residency
- IR-1: For marriages older than two years
These visas allow the foreign spouse to enter directly as a permanent resident, without the need to apply for adjustment of status afterward.
How long does the fiancé visa in the USA take to be approved?
The fiancé visa does not have a single approval time, as the process occurs in several stages and goes through different agencies.
- First, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews the I-129F petition filed by the U.S. citizen, a stage that usually takes longer and can be extended if documents are missing, evidence of the relationship is unclear, or immigration requests additional evidence.
- Once approved, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC), which registers it and sends it to the appropriate consulate, where the interview is scheduled based on the availability of appointments in the applicant’s country.
- Finally, the consulate reviews the case, conducts the interview, and issues the visa if everything is in order; In some cases, an additional administrative review may be required that delays the decision.
After the K-1 visa is approved, the next step is for the foreign person to enter the United States, as approval does not guarantee automatic entry, but rather the right to apply for admission at the port of entry.
Once inside the country, the couple must be married within 90 days; if the marriage does not occur within that timeframe, the person must leave the United States.
After marriage, adjustment of status for permanent residency is requested, a process in which many couples also apply for a work permit and, if needed, a travel permit.
Can you work while it’s pending?
This is one of the most common doubts with the fiancé visa. The short answer is: not automatically. With the K-1 visa, working in the United States requires specific permission.
Entering on a Fiancé Visa (K-1)
When your fiancé or fiancée enters the United States on a K-1 visa, they usually can’t work right away.
Once the couple gets married within 90 days, the correct step is to apply for adjustment of status for permanent residency. At that time, you can apply for a work permit.
The most common is to submit together with the application for residency:
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- Form I-765 (work permit)
You can work only after USCIS approves the work permit and issues the corresponding card.
In most cases:
- The work permit arrives before the residence
- Allows you to work while the Green Card is pending
What happens if the applicant has minor children?
If the fiancé visa applicant has minor children, there is a legal option for them to accompany them to the United States. However, the process has clear rules that are good to know from the beginning.
The unmarried children of the fiancé or fiancée can apply for the K-2 visa, which is a derivative visa of the K-1.
For a child to qualify, they must meet the following:
- Being under 21 years old
- Being single
- Be a biological or legally adopted child
- Be properly included in the initial petition
A separate petition is not filed for each child, but they must appear in the process from the beginning.
After the marriage between the U.S. citizen and the fiancé or fiancée:
- The parent is applying for adjustment of status
- Children can also apply for permanent residency
- Each child files their own adjustment request
Can your children study or work?
- Children with K-2 visas can study
- They cannot work without an approved work permit
- Work permit is requested during adjustment of status, if applicable by age
What are the requirements for the fiancé visa application in Sterling?
To apply for a fiancé (K-1) visa, in addition to the relationship, documentation is required. Immigration demands specific requirements that must be met and properly documented from the outset. Even if you live in Sterling, the process is federal and applies throughout the United States.
These are the main requirements.
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen
The K-1 visa is reserved for U.S. citizens; Permanent residents are not eligible to apply.
2. The couple must have the actual intention of getting married
Both people must show that:
- They have genuine plans for marriage
- Plan to get married within 90 days of entering the United States
This intent is proven with signed statements and evidence of the relationship.
3. The couple must have met in person
In most cases, the law requires that the couple have met at least once in the last two years before applying.
There are only very limited exceptions, for example:
- Extreme cultural reasons
- Serious risks or extraordinary hardship
These exceptions are not easily granted.
4. Both Must Be Legally Available to Marry
This means that:
- Both people must be legally free to marry (no previous marriages in place).
- If there were previous marriages, divorces or deaths must be proven.
USCIS reviews this point very carefully.
5. Prove the relationship is real
Immigration seeks to confirm that the relationship does not exist only to obtain immigration benefits.
Evidence usually includes:
- Photographs together
- Messages, calls, or emails
- Rideshare
- Evidence of mutual support
The quality of the evidence matters more than the quantity.
Why Ask for Help from Fiancé Visa Lawyers in Sterling?
The fiancé visa seems simple on paper, but in practice a small mistake can lead to delays and, in some cases, complicate the approval of the process. Poorly filled out forms, weak evidence, or taken without advice at the beginning often complicate the entire process.
Having immigration attorneys in place early on makes a huge difference.
Because it’s not just a request, it’s a strategy. One of the most common problems is receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) for lack of evidence or technical errors.
Working with attorneys helps:
- Present clear and well-organized evidence
- Anticipate immigration questions
- Reduce the risk of additional requests
Moreover, the interview is not just a conversation. It is a formal evaluation of the relationship.
As a firm, we help:
- Prepare clear and coherent responses
- Understand what kinds of questions they ask
- Avoid contradictions that may generate doubts
Good preparation can make all the difference.
Start your journey in this country with a fiancé visa lawyer in Sterling
The fiancé visa is not only a permit to enter the United States, but the first step towards a life together and, eventually, towards permanent residency.
Each case is different. Factors such as immigration history, minor children, income, or the assigned consulate can influence the timing and the right strategy.
Our goal in helping you process your fiancé visa is for you to understand every step, make informed decisions, and move clearly toward your future in the United States. Know your options.
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