- What it is
- A visa for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. and marry within 90 days.
- Best for
- Engaged couples who are not married yet and plan to build their life in the U.S.
- Who can sponsor
- A U.S. citizen. Green card holders cannot file for a K-1.
- Leads to a green card?
- Yes, after you marry you can apply to become a permanent resident.
- Can I work?
- Yes, once you arrive you can apply for a work permit, though many people wait and file it with the green card.
- Typical timeline
- 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.
Who is it for?
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.
What you need
- 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.
How the process works
- 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.
How much it costs
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.
How long it takes
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.
Common mistakes to avoid
- 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.
New for 2026: at embassy interviews, officers now also ask every applicant two short questions about whether you have been harmed in the past and whether you fear returning home. Answer honestly and briefly; it is a standard question, not a trap.
Questions officers often ask
- 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?
The thing that trips people up: Answers that clash with your petition or your partner's, or a story that sounds rehearsed rather than lived.
Before you go, the basics
- Book early and arrive early, and bring every document your appointment letter lists, plus your passport and your DS-160 or DS-260 confirmation page.
- Know your own file: your answers out loud must match, word for word in spirit, what you wrote on your application.
- Answer only what you are asked, in one or two clear sentences, then stop; do not volunteer extra information.
- Be honest about everything, including past refusals or overstays; a small truth is always safer than a discovered lie.
- Carry your documents organized and easy to hand over, but wait for the officer to ask before pulling anything out.
- Speak for yourself in simple words; you do not need perfect English, and you do not need to memorize a script.
- Stay calm and polite even if the officer is brisk; most interviews last only two to five minutes.
- Dress neatly and treat it like a serious appointment, because first impressions are formed fast.
- Do not bring phones or bags you cannot check, and never offer money or gifts of any kind.
- If you do not understand a question, it is fine to ask the officer to repeat it.
Common questions
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.
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