🇺🇸 K1 Visa Lawyers - All 50 States
Bring Your Fiancé(e)
Home to the U.S.
Experienced immigration attorneys guiding you through the K-1 visa process — from first filing to walking down the aisle.
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What is the K-1 Visa?
A Visa Reserved for Your Future Spouse
The K-1 fiancé(e) visa is a single-entry visa issued by USCIS that allows your foreign fiancé(e) to enter the United States. Once they arrive, you have 90 days to get married. After the wedding, you can apply for a green card (adjustment of status) without leaving the country.
Unlike a spousal visa — which requires you to already be married — the K-1 allows couples to hold their wedding on U.S. soil and typically gets your partner here several months faster than the spousal visa route.
K-2 Visas for Children: Unmarried children under 21 of the K-1 holder may receive K-2 visas, allowing them to travel with your fiancé(e) to the U.S.
Requirements
Do You Qualify for a K-1 Visa?
You and your fiancé(e) must meet all four of these eligibility criteria before filing your petition.
Both Partners Must Be Single
You and your fiancé(e) must both be legally free to marry — meaning all prior marriages must have been legally dissolved.
U.S. Citizen Sponsorship
The sponsoring partner must be a U.S. citizen. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to file a K-1 petition.
Met in Person Within Two Years
You must have physically met your fiancé(e) at least once in the past two years. This can be waived for religious or extreme hardship reasons.
Income Requirements
The U.S. citizen must earn at least 100% of federal poverty guidelines for the K-1 petition, and 125% when your fiancé(e) later applies for a green card.
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The K-1 Process
How It Works - Step by Step
File the Petition
We file Form I-129F with USCIS on your behalf, including all required supporting documents.
USCIS Approval
USCIS reviews and approves your petition, then forwards it to the National Visa Center and your fiancé(e)’s U.S. consulate.
Consulate Interview
Your fiancé(e) attends a visa interview at the U.S. consulate in their home country. We prepare them every step of the way.
Arrive & Marry
Your fiancé(e) enters the U.S. on the K-1 visa. You have 90 days to get married and can then file for a green card.
Important: Don't Overstay the 90-Day Window
Once your fiancé(e) enters the U.S., you must marry within 90 days. Overstaying can result in significant bars to reentry and complications with future U.S. immigration benefits. If marriage is not possible within that window, your fiancé(e) must leave before the visa expires.
K-1 vs. Spousal Visa
Which Visa Is Right for You?
Both pathways lead to the same destination, but the K-1 has clear advantages depending on your situation.
Factors
- Marital Status Required
- Typical Processing Time
- Wedding Location
- Work Authorization
- Children Included
- Green Card
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
- Not married yet ✓
- Several months (faster)
- U.S. ceremony possible ✓
- After marriage & EAD
- K-2 visas for minors ✓
- Apply after U.S. wedding
CR-1 Spousal Visa
- Already married
- Often 1+ year
- Must wed abroad first
- Included with green card
- IR-2/CR-2 visas
- Issued upon arrival
Why Pelican Johnson
Everything You Need in One Place
We File all Forms
Every government form, correctly completed and submitted on your behalf. No guesswork on your end.
True Flat Fee
Know your total cost upfront. No hidden charges, hourly billing surprises, or add-on fees mid-case.
Income Evaluation
We provide a comprehensive assessment of your income requirements to prevent delays before they happen.
Online Client Portal
Track your case, upload documents, and communicate with your attorney — 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
Flexible Payment Plans
We offer payment plans so cost is never a barrier to protecting your relationship and your future.
Green Card Ready
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Processing times vary, but the K-1 visa is generally significantly faster than a spousal visa — often taking several months from filing to your fiancé(e)'s arrival. Current USCIS processing times fluctuate, so we'll give you a realistic timeline estimate during your consultation.
The K-1 visa itself does not grant work authorization. However, after you get married, your spouse can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as part of the adjustment of status process. We can file this application immediately after your wedding.
The in-person meeting requirement can be waived in two circumstances: if meeting would violate longstanding religious or cultural customs, or if meeting would cause extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner. Our attorneys can help you determine if you qualify for a waiver.
If you cannot marry within 90 days, your fiancé(e) must leave the United States before the visa expires. Overstaying can result in serious consequences, including multi-year bars to reentry. If marriage is delayed, contact us immediately so we can advise you on the best course of action.
Yes — our office assists U.S. citizens in all 50 states. We offer remote consultations and our secure online client portal means you can work with us from anywhere in the country.
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Schedule a remote immigration consultation with our team. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and outline the process — with no obligation.
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