- O que é
- A visa for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. and marry within 90 days.
- Ideal para
- Engaged couples who are not married yet and plan to build their life in the U.S.
- Quem pode patrocinar
- A U.S. citizen. Green card holders cannot file for a K-1.
- Leva a um green card?
- Yes, after you marry you can apply to become a permanent resident.
- Posso trabalhar?
- Yes, once you arrive you can apply for a work permit, though many people wait and file it with the green card.
- Prazo típico
- Often around a year to a year and a half from start to arrival. It varies.
What is the K-1 visa?
The K-1 is a fiancé visa. A U.S. citizen asks the government to let their partner come to the United States so the two of you can get married. After you arrive, you have 90 days to marry. Once you are married, you apply to stay for good with a green card.
Think of it as the path for couples who are engaged but not married yet. If you are already married, a different visa fits you better, and we explain that on our CR-1 page.
Para quem é?
It is for a foreign fiancé who is engaged to a U.S. citizen. You both need to be free to marry, meaning any past marriages are fully ended. In most cases, you must have met each other in person within the last two years. There are rare exceptions, for example when meeting in person would go against a strong cultural or religious rule.
O que você precisa
- A U.S. citizen partner who files the petition for you.
- Proof you are truly engaged and plan to marry within 90 days.
- Proof you met in person within the last two years, in most cases.
- Proof you are both free to marry.
- A medical exam and a police record check.
- Some financial support information from your partner.
Como funciona o processo
- Your U.S. citizen partner files a petition for you with immigration.
- Once approved, your case moves to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.
- You fill out the visa application and gather your documents.
- You do a medical exam and attend an interview at the embassy.
- If approved, you travel to the U.S.
- You marry within 90 days, then apply for your green card.
Quanto custa
Costs vary. Typical government fees for the petition, the visa, and the medical exam often add up to several hundred to a bit over a thousand dollars in total, spread across the steps. The green card step later has its own fee. Attorney help, if you choose it, is a separate cost. Always check current fees before you pay.
Quanto tempo leva
Most couples wait somewhere around a year to a year and a half from filing to arrival, but this shifts a lot based on your country and how busy the offices are.
Erros comuns a evitar
- Missing the 90-day window to marry after arriving.
- Thin proof of the relationship, like too few photos, messages, or trip records.
- Forgetting the in-person meeting rule or not saving proof of it.
- Small errors on forms that cause long delays.
The K-1 is only for engaged couples. If you marry before your partner comes to the U.S., you will need the spouse visa route instead, not the K-1.
Planning a wedding across borders is a lot. Take it one step at a time, keep your papers organized, and lean on someone who has done this before. You are closer than it feels.
Nailing your K-1 interview
Here is what the K-1 interview looks like and how to walk in ready.
The K-1 interview is about one thing: is the relationship real. The officer tests how well you know your US citizen fiance and your shared history and plans. Answer truthfully in your own words, and do not try to perform.
Novidade para 2026: nas entrevistas no consulado, os oficiais agora também fazem a todos os candidatos duas perguntas curtas sobre se você já sofreu algum dano no passado e se teme voltar para casa. Responda com honestidade e de forma breve; é uma pergunta padrão, não uma armadilha.
Perguntas que os oficiais costumam fazer
- How and when did you meet?
- When did you last see each other in person?
- Tell me about your fiance: their work, family, and daily life?
- What are your wedding plans?
- Have you met each other's families?
O que costuma pegar as pessoas: Answers that clash with your petition or your partner's, or a story that sounds rehearsed rather than lived.
Antes de ir, o básico
- Marque com antecedência e chegue cedo, e leve todos os documentos listados na sua carta de agendamento, além do seu passaporte e da página de confirmação do DS-160 ou DS-260.
- Conheça o seu próprio processo: suas respostas em voz alta devem corresponder, em essência, ao que você escreveu na sua aplicação.
- Responda apenas o que for perguntado, em uma ou duas frases claras, e então pare; não ofereça informações a mais.
- Seja honesto sobre tudo, inclusive recusas ou permanências além do prazo no passado; uma pequena verdade é sempre mais segura do que uma mentira descoberta.
- Leve seus documentos organizados e fáceis de entregar, mas espere o oficial pedir antes de tirar qualquer coisa.
- Fale por você mesmo com palavras simples; você não precisa de um inglês perfeito nem precisa decorar um roteiro.
- Mantenha a calma e a educação mesmo que o oficial seja ríspido; a maioria das entrevistas dura apenas de dois a cinco minutos.
- Vista-se de forma cuidada e trate isso como um compromisso sério, porque a primeira impressão se forma rápido.
- Não leve celulares ou bolsas que você não possa deixar guardadas, e nunca ofereça dinheiro ou presentes de qualquer tipo.
- Se você não entender uma pergunta, não há problema em pedir ao oficial que a repita.
Perguntas frequentes
Can I bring my children on a K-1?
Yes. Your unmarried children under 21 may be able to come with you on a related K-2 visa. Ask about them early so they are included.
What if we do not marry within 90 days?
The 90-day rule is firm. If you do not marry in time, you are expected to leave the U.S. Do not let the deadline slip.
Can a green card holder file a K-1 for me?
No. Only a U.S. citizen can file a K-1 fiancé petition. A green card holder would use a spouse route after marriage.
Do we have to have met in person?
In most cases, yes, within the last two years. Waivers exist but are rare and hard to get, so plan to meet if you can.
Vamos encontrar o seu caminho certo.
Conte-nos sobre seus planos e seu idioma preferido. Receba orientação sobre as opções de visto e solicite o apoio de um especialista licenciado.
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