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United States of America · family · Leads to settlement

K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen

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Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencySingle-entry 6 months; must marry within 90 days of entry.
Processing time
I-129F: roughly 6–12 months; consular processing 3–6 months; overall 9–18 months to entry.
Government fees
I-129F USD 675; DS-160 USD 265; medical and police clearances additional.
Typical duration
Single-entry 6 months; must marry within 90 days of entry.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen for United States of America is a sponsor-led United States immigration route. Sources: official United States of America government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/us/k-1#answer

What is the K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen in United States of America?

K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen is a sponsor-led United States route. Indicative government fees are I-129F USD 675; DS-160 USD 265; medical and police clearances additional; indicative processing time is I-129F: roughly 6–12 months; consular processing 3–6 months; overall 9–18 months to entry; typical duration is Single-entry 6 months; must marry within 90 days of entry. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The K-1 is a non-immigrant visa for the fiancé(e) of a US citizen. The US-citizen petitioner files Form I-129F; once approved, the fiancé(e) applies at a US consulate. The couple must marry within 90 days of entry, after which the K-1 spouse files Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent residence.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

  • ·Evidence of relationship (photos, travel, communication).U.S. Department of State ↗
  • ·Proof of US citizenship and free-to-marry status.
  • ·Affidavits from friends and family.

Application pathway

  1. US citizen files I-129F

    USCIS adjudicates the fiancé(e) petition.

  2. National Visa Center and consular processing

    Case forwarded to NVC, then to consulate for DS-160 and interview.

  3. Enter US and marry within 90 days

    Marriage certificate filed with adjustment package.

  4. File I-485 to adjust status

    Transitions K-1 spouse to conditional permanent resident.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to United States

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplySponsor
    File Form I-129F ↗

    The U.S. citizen petitioner uses Form I-129F to start the K-1 fiance(e) process with USCIS.

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · verified

  2. ApplyApplicant
    Complete DS-160 ↗

    The fiance(e) uses DS-160 for the K visa application after USCIS approval and consular case creation.

    U.S. Department of State · verified

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: I-129F USD 675; DS-160 USD 265; medical and police clearances additional.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Can the K-1 spouse work after entering the US?+

The K-1 spouse may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765), but the authorisation expires 90 days after entry. Most applicants wait and file for combined work/travel authorisation together with the adjustment of status after marriage.

Do my fiancé(e) and I have to have met in person before filing the K-1 petition?+

Yes. The couple must have met in person within the two years before filing the K-1 petition, both parties must be legally free to marry, and you must intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e)'s entry. Limited waivers of the in-person meeting requirement are available.

We're already married, do we use the K-1 or a spousal green card?+

The K-1 is for the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then adjust status, so it is for couples not yet married. Couples who are already married use the spouse route: US citizens sponsor a spouse as an immediate relative (IR1/CR1) and lawful permanent residents sponsor under the F2A preference. Check the official USCIS pages for each route to confirm which fits your situation.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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