What is the K-1 Fiancé Visa?
The K-1 visa — officially called the "nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé(e)" — allows the foreign-citizen fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the sole purpose of getting married. Once in the country, the couple must marry within 90 days, after which the foreign spouse can apply for a green card through adjustment of status.
The K-1 is not an immigrant visa itself — it's a temporary entry permit. The path to permanent residency comes after the wedding, through the adjustment of status process.
Already married? The K-1 is only for couples who haven't married yet. If you're already married, you want the CR-1 or IR-1 spousal visa instead. Not sure which applies to you? See K-1 vs CR-1 compared.
K-1 Visa Requirements for 2026
Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must meet specific eligibility criteria. USCIS reviews both sides of the relationship.
U.S. Citizen (Petitioner)
Must be a U.S. citizen — not a green card holder (LPR). Met in person within the last 2 years. Legally free to marry.
Foreign Fiancé(e) (Beneficiary)
Must be legally free to marry. Met the petitioner in person within the last 2 years. Intends to marry within 90 days of entry.
In-Person Meeting Rule
You must have met face-to-face within the 2 years before filing. Online-only relationships do not qualify unless a waiver is granted for extreme hardship or cultural customs.
Intent to Marry
Both parties must have a genuine, bona fide intent to marry. USCIS looks for evidence the relationship is real — not for immigration purposes only.
Income Requirement
The U.S. petitioner must earn at least 100% of the federal poverty guideline for their household size. For a household of 2 in 2026: $25,550/year.
No Bars to Marriage
Neither party can be currently married. All prior marriages must be legally dissolved through divorce, annulment, or death.
K-1 Visa Process: Step by Step
The K-1 process has five distinct stages, each handled by a different government agency. Understanding who does what — and when — prevents confusion and delays.
File Form I-129F at USCIS
The U.S. citizen petitioner files the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F) with USCIS along with supporting evidence. USCIS reviews the petition and — if approved — forwards it to the National Visa Center.
NVC Transfer & Forwarding
The National Visa Center (NVC) receives the approved petition and sends it to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the fiancé(e)'s country. The NVC stage for K-1 is brief — unlike CR-1, you don't submit financial documents here.
Consular Processing & Medical Exam
The embassy contacts the fiancé(e) to schedule an interview. Before the interview, they must complete a medical exam with an approved physician. At the interview, a consular officer reviews documents and decides to approve, deny, or request additional evidence.
Enter the U.S. & Get Married
The K-1 visa allows a single entry. The fiancé(e) must marry the U.S. citizen petitioner — and only that petitioner — within 90 days of entry. The 90-day clock starts the moment they enter the U.S., not when the visa was issued.
Adjustment of Status (Green Card)
After marrying, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident. While the application is pending, they can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole to travel abroad.
K-1 Visa Processing Time in 2026
Processing times vary significantly by USCIS service center and consulate country. Here are current estimates for the full K-1 pipeline:
| Stage | Agency | Current Wait (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| I-129F petition | USCIS | 7–12 months |
| NVC transfer & forwarding | NVC | 3–6 weeks |
| Consular processing & interview | U.S. Embassy | 1–3 months |
| Adjustment of status (after marriage) | USCIS | 12–24 months |
| Total (petition → green card) | ~21–40 months |
Times vary by country. Some consulates schedule interviews within weeks; others have backlogs stretching months. See the full K-1 processing time breakdown by country →
K-1 Visa Costs & Fees in 2026
The K-1 process involves fees at multiple stages — USCIS, the embassy, and later the adjustment of status application. Budget the full amount upfront.
| Fee | Paid To | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129F filing fee | USCIS | $675 |
| K-1 visa application fee (MRV) | U.S. Embassy | $265 |
| Medical exam | Approved physician | $200–$500 |
| Adjustment of status (I-485) | USCIS | $1,440 |
| Biometrics (I-485) | USCIS | Included |
| Total estimate | ~$2,580–$2,880 |
Attorney fees, translation costs, and document authentication are additional. Many couples spend $3,500–$6,000 total including legal help.
Documents Required for the K-1 Visa
The I-129F petition requires supporting evidence from the petitioner. The fiancé(e) brings additional documents to the embassy interview. Here's what you need for each stage:
With the I-129F Petition (filed by U.S. citizen)
- Completed Form I-129F
- Copy of U.S. citizen's birth certificate or naturalization certificate
- Copy of government-issued photo ID
- Passport-style photos of both petitioner and fiancé(e)
- Proof of in-person meeting (photos together, travel records, receipts)
- Proof the relationship is bona fide (chat logs, call records, letters)
- Divorce decrees or death certificates for any prior marriages
- I-129F filing fee ($675)
At the Embassy Interview (filed by fiancé(e))
- Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond intended entry)
- DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application (completed online)
- NVC appointment letter
- Medical exam results from approved physician (sealed envelope)
- Birth certificate with certified translation
- Police certificate from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 16
- Divorce decrees or death certificates for prior marriages
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-134 or evidence of petitioner's income)
- Photos of the relationship (together, events, family)
- Visa application fee receipt ($265)
For a complete checklist with tips on each document, see the I-129F evidence checklist →
Proving Your Relationship is Bona Fide
USCIS and consular officers want to see that your relationship is real — not one created to obtain immigration benefits. Evidence falls into four main categories:
- Communication records — text/chat history, call logs, video call screenshots, emails going back months or years
- Financial ties — joint accounts, money transfers, shared expenses, gifts
- In-person visits — travel itineraries, flight bookings, hotel stays, photos together at dated locations
- Social proof — photos with each other's families, friend and family support letters, social media posts
You don't need all four — but the more categories you cover, the stronger the application. See the full guide: bona fide marriage evidence →
Income Requirements for the K-1 Visa
The U.S. citizen petitioner must demonstrate they can financially support the incoming fiancé(e). At the I-129F stage, income isn't formally required — but at the embassy interview, the fiancé(e) must submit evidence the U.S. petitioner meets the 125% of the federal poverty guideline threshold.
For 2026, that means:
- Household of 2: $25,550/year minimum (100%) → $31,937 (125%)
- Household of 3: $32,150/year minimum → $40,188 (125%)
- Household of 4: $38,750/year minimum → $48,438 (125%)
If the petitioner doesn't meet the threshold, they can use a joint sponsor. Full breakdown at affidavit of support income requirements →
After Entry: The 90-Day Rule
Once the fiancé(e) enters the U.S. on a K-1 visa, the 90-day countdown begins immediately. This is not negotiable — there are no extensions.
Important: You must marry the specific U.S. citizen who filed the I-129F petition. Marrying a different person invalidates the K-1 visa and can result in removal proceedings.
After marrying within 90 days, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) to begin the adjustment of status process. They receive a conditional green card (valid 2 years) initially, then apply to remove conditions at the 2-year mark.
Full guide: adjustment of status after marriage →
K-1 Visa in 2026: Is It Still Available?
Yes — the K-1 fiancé visa is still being issued in 2026. Despite political discussions around immigration policy, Congress has not eliminated the K-1 program. USCIS continues to accept and process I-129F petitions normally.
Processing times have been affected by staffing and policy changes, but the visa category itself remains active. You can track current USCIS processing times directly on the USCIS processing times tool.
K-1 vs CR-1: Which Should You Choose?
The K-1 is only for couples who aren't married yet. If you're already married, the CR-1/IR-1 spousal visa is the correct path. If you're deciding whether to marry abroad first or get engaged and use K-1, the comparison comes down to cost, timeline, and preference.
→ K-1 vs CR-1 full comparison: cost, timeline, pros and cons