THE FIANCÉE VISA (K1 VISA)

The fiancée visa option

A fiancée visa allows an overseas fiancée of a US citizen to enter the United States, marry within 90 days and then apply for a Green card in the United States.

Note that the fiancée can only apply for a Green Card based on a marriage to the original US citizen sponsor of the fiancée visa. Unmarried children under 21 years old are also allowed to accompany the fiancée.

The fiancée visa requires that the marriage be held in the United States.

The Green card application is a separate application which follows the legal marriage on the United States.

The Fiancée Visa Application is a two step process

bulletThe US citizen fiancée submits an application to the USCIS (immigration authorities) in the US,. If approved, the approval is transmitted to the consulate in the fiancées home country
bulletYou fill out more forms and the fiancée presents herself for interview at the US consulate in her home country, where she receives the K1 visa

    Note that the US citizen will be required to execute an affidavit of financial support for the fiancée and the fiancée will be required to undergo a medical examination prior to the interview at the relevant US consulate or Embassy

   The fiancée has 6 months to travel to the United States and hence use the fiancée visa. The marriage must tae place within 90 days, at which time the fiancée should file for a Green card through a process known as 'adjustment of status'.