K1 Visa - How to get started

The K1 Visa, referred to as the Fiancee Visa, is a travel document for a foreign fiancee to enter the United States for a period of 90 days to be married to a US citizen. It is generally regarded as the quickest route to bring a foreign fiancee to the US to be legally married.

In order to marry a foreign citizen and live in the United States, there are two general steps. The first is initiated by the US citizen (“the Petitioner”) and involves petitioning the US Government with Form I129F. The second occurs after the petition has been accepted, then sent by USCIS to the fiancee’s country where the fiancee files the foreign fiancee visa application at the nearest US embassy or consulate. The fiancee visa application will include additional forms, an Affidavit of Support, and an interview. Once the visa has been issued the fiancee will be permitted 90 days to enter the United States and marry the US citizen.

Requirements of the Petitioner to file a foreign fiancee visa include being a US citizen (not just resident), free to marry (legally separated if married before), and the couple have met at least once within the past two years (some extraordinary exceptions include religious tradition or extreme hardship cases).

The K1 Visa process start with petition I129f, this package will include the following documents:
Check for filling fee
Cover page
Form G325A for the petitioner
Form G325A for the alien fiancée
Form I-129F- Petition for Alien Fiancée
Proof of US Citizenship
Declaration of how you met in person
Proof of having met in person in the last 2 years
Copy of divorce decree (if applicable)
Letter of intent for petitioner
Letter of intent from the beneficiary
Proof of legal name change (if applicable)
Police Certificate (if applicable)


For more information Fiancee K1 Visas provides updated information on the process from two individuals who completed the process and remain committed to help others complete the K1 Visa.