Complete guide to the K-1 fiancé visa process, from filing the I-129F petition through USCIS approval, National Visa Center processing, consular interview, and the 90-day marriage requirement after U.S. entry.
Confirm you meet the basic eligibility requirements
The U.S. citizen petitioner must have met the fiancé(e) in person within the last 2 years. Both parties must be legally free to marry. The filing fee is $535 as of 2026.
Verify both parties are legally free to marry (no undissolved marriages)
Gather proof of in-person meeting within the past 2 years
Complete Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
The form is 13 pages long. Only the U.S. citizen files this petition — the beneficiary does not sign it. Double-check spelling of names exactly as they appear on passports.
Compile evidence of your bona fide relationship
Include photos together (with dates), chat logs, call records, flight itineraries, and receipts from visits. USCIS looks for consistent, ongoing communication over time.
Print photos together with dates and locations noted
Export chat history and call logs showing regular contact
Collect travel receipts, boarding passes, and hotel bookings from visits
Submit I-129F petition package to USCIS
Mail to the USCIS lockbox facility listed on the I-129F instructions. Use a trackable shipping method. Average processing time at the Texas or California Service Center is 8-14 months.
USCIS Processing and Approval
Receive NOA1 (Notice of Action — receipt notice)
This arrives 2-4 weeks after filing and confirms USCIS received your petition. It includes your receipt number (IOE or WAC prefix) for tracking on the USCIS case status page.
Respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFE)
You typically have 87 days to respond to an RFE. Common reasons include insufficient proof of in-person meeting or incomplete forms. Respond with all requested documents in a single package.
Receive NOA2 (approval notice) from USCIS
After approval, USCIS forwards the case to the National Visa Center (NVC). The approval notice (I-797) confirms your petition was granted. This step takes 8-14 months from filing.
National Visa Center (NVC) Stage
Wait for NVC to assign a case number
NVC typically processes K-1 cases within 4-6 weeks of receiving them from USCIS. You'll receive a welcome letter with your NVC case number and instructions.
Submit the DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application
The beneficiary (fiancé abroad) completes this form at ceac.state.gov. It takes about 90 minutes. Save the confirmation page with the barcode — you'll need it at the interview.
Pay the K-1 visa application fee
The fee is $265 per applicant, paid online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Children applying as K-2 dependents each pay the same fee.
Gather civil documents for the interview packet
Required documents include birth certificate, police clearances from every country lived in for 6+ months after age 16, divorce/death decrees if previously married, and Form I-134 Affidavit of Support from the petitioner.
Obtain birth certificate (with translation if not in English)
Get police clearance certificates from all applicable countries
Have petitioner complete Form I-134 with tax returns and pay stubs
Medical Exam and Consular Interview
Schedule and complete the medical examination
The exam must be done by a U.S. embassy-approved panel physician. It costs $200-$500 depending on the country. Required vaccinations include MMR, polio, tetanus, and COVID-19. Results are valid for 6 months.
Find the approved panel physician for your embassy on usembassy.gov
Bring vaccination records to the medical appointment
Attend the consular interview at the U.S. embassy
Interviews last 10-20 minutes. The officer asks about your relationship history, how you met, and future plans. Bring originals and copies of all documents. A same-day decision is typical.
Receive the visa packet (sealed envelope)
If approved, the embassy issues the K-1 visa stamped in the passport and provides a sealed packet. Do not open this packet — give it to the CBP officer when you enter the United States.
U.S. Entry and Marriage Timeline
Enter the United States on the K-1 visa
The K-1 visa is valid for a single entry within 6 months of issuance. Present the sealed packet and passport to CBP at the port of entry. You'll receive an I-94 record with a K-1 admission stamp.
Marry the U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days
The 90-day clock starts on the date of entry, not the visa issuance date. If you don't marry within 90 days, you must leave the U.S. or face being out of status. Get a marriage license from the county clerk.
Apply for a marriage license at your local county clerk's office
Complete the marriage ceremony before the 90-day deadline
File Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident
File I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) after marriage. The filing fee is $1,440. Include your marriage certificate, Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, and two passport photos. Processing takes 8-14 months.
Apply for a work permit (EAD) and travel document concurrently
File Form I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (advance parole travel document) alongside I-485 at no additional cost. The EAD typically arrives in 3-5 months. Do not travel outside the U.S. without advance parole approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the K-1 fiance visa process take?
The K-1 process typically takes 12-18 months from filing Form I-129F to visa issuance. USCIS processing of the initial petition takes 6-10 months, followed by transfer to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then the US embassy for interview scheduling (2-4 months). After entering the US on the K-1, you must marry within 90 days. Processing times vary significantly by USCIS service center and embassy location. Consult an immigration attorney if your case involves complications like prior visa denials or criminal history.
What is the in-person meeting requirement for a K-1 visa?
The US citizen petitioner and the foreign fiance(e) must have met in person within the 2 years preceding the I-129F filing. This requirement can be waived only if meeting would violate strict and long-established customs of the fiance(e)'s culture (e.g., arranged marriages in certain cultures) or if meeting would result in extreme hardship to the US citizen petitioner. Video calls, phone calls, and online communication alone do NOT satisfy this requirement. Provide photos, travel receipts, boarding passes, and passport stamps as evidence of the meeting.
How much does the K-1 visa process cost in total?
Total government fees are approximately $2,025: $535 for Form I-129F (petition), $265 for visa application and issuance fees at the embassy, $1,140 for Form I-485 (adjustment of status after marriage), and $85 for biometrics. Medical examination by an approved panel physician costs $200-500 depending on the country. Attorney fees typically range from $2,500-5,000 for the full process. Add travel costs for the in-person meeting requirement and the fiance(e)'s relocation to the US.
What happens if we do not marry within 90 days of arrival?
If you do not marry within the 90-day period, the K-1 visa holder must leave the United States before the 90 days expire. There is no extension available for the 90-day period. Overstaying triggers unlawful presence, which can result in a 3-year or 10-year bar from re-entering the US. The K-1 holder cannot change to another visa status (such as a tourist visa) to buy more time. If the relationship ends, the fiance(e) should depart voluntarily before the deadline. Consult an immigration attorney if complications arise during the 90-day window.