| A fiancé visa, also known as a K-1 visa, is available | | | | Non-Immigrant Fiance Visa (Form DS-156 and Form |
| to non-citizens who are engaged to or intend to marry | | | | DS-156K) |
| a citizen of the United States. A K-1 visa grants the | | | | Applying for Permanent Resident Status after |
| alien a one-time entry into the U.S.; the person cannot | | | | Marriage |
| be granted re-entry after their initial stay. | | | | A K-1 visa does not provide the non-citizen with |
| Within the last two years prior to application, the two | | | | permanent residence in the U.S. It only provides a |
| people involved in the engagement must have met in | | | | one-time entry into the U.S. for purposes of marrying |
| person. Also, the marriage must be legally possible | | | | the citizen. The non-citizen fiancé may apply for |
| under the state laws where the marriage is to take | | | | permanent residency after marriage by applying for a |
| place. After the K-1 visa has been granted, the foreign | | | | marriage visa. |
| citizen has 6 months to enter the U.S. After entry, they | | | | After marriage, the alien should file USCIS Form I-485, |
| then have 90 days to marry the U.S. citizen. | | | | "Application to Register Permanent Residence". Also, |
| Filling for a K-1 Visa | | | | their citizen spouse needs to file USCIS Form I-864, |
| In order to get a K-1 fiancé visa, the U.S. citizen must | | | | "Affidavit of Support". Once these petitions are |
| file Form I-129F, "Petition for Alien Fiance", with the | | | | approved, the USCIS will grant the alien a conditional |
| United States Citizenship and Immigration Services | | | | green card. |
| (USCIS). After the form has been processed, the | | | | The alien can finally receive permanent resident status |
| USCIS will send it to the embassy or consulate of the | | | | after 2 years from the time of approval of the two |
| home country of the fiancé. If the petition is | | | | forms. They can do this by filing to remove their |
| approved by the consulate, the alien then has four | | | | conditional green card status using Form I-751. The |
| months in order to apply for a K-1 visa. | | | | non-citizen applicant must have either been married for |
| K-1 Fiance Visa Requirements | | | | at least 2 years, or, they must be divorced from a |
| The non-citizen fiancé is required to submit the | | | | marriage made in good faith. The couple must |
| following information to the embassy: | | | | demonstrate that their marriage was not made for the |
| - A valid birth certificate | | | | purposes of sidestepping immigration requirements. |
| - A passport which is valid for up to six months after | | | | Recap |
| entry in the U.S. | | | | You may wish to hire a lawyer to help you with your |
| - A police certificate verifying all places of residence | | | | fiancé visa application process. This is especially true |
| since age 16 | | | | if you cannot understand the law due to language |
| - A medical examination | | | | differences. A lawyer can help you process your |
| - Evidence verifying capability of financial support | | | | documents, and will keep you informed in the event of |
| - Evidence of an existing and valid engagement | | | | a change in law. Here are some points to consider in |
| relationship- this may be proved by photographs of the | | | | filing for a K-1 visa: |
| two people together, receipts or ticket stubs showing | | | | - Be aware that a K-1 visa only allows the non-citizen |
| that the U.S. citizen visited the fiancé, etc. | | | | to enter the U.S. |
| - Visa Application forms for Nonimmigrant Visa and | | | | |