K-1 Fiancé Visa
USA K1-visa requirements, cost, timeline, and process
What Is a K-1 Visa?
The K-1 fiancé visa allows a foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen to come to the United States so you can get married. Once your fiancé arrives, you must get married within 90 days.
Even though this is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa, it leads to a green card after marriage. This means your fiancé can become a permanent resident of the U.S.
K-1 Visa Costs in 2025
- Form I-129F Filing Fee
- DS-160 Visa Application Fee
- Medical Exam (varies)
- Total Estimated Cost
- $675
- $265
- ~$200
- $940+
Who Can Apply for a K-1 Visa?
To apply for a K-1 visa, the U.S. sponsor must be a U.S. citizen. Green card holders are not eligible to petition for this visa. Both you and your fiancé must be legally free to marry, which means that any previous marriages must be legally ended through divorce, annulment, or the death of a previous spouse. You must also prove that you’ve met your fiancé in person at least once during the past two years. This “two-year rule” is a core requirement, although some waivers are available in rare cases—such as for extreme hardship or strict religious or cultural traditions.
In addition to proving you’ve met, you must both show you plan to marry within 90 days of your fiancé’s arrival in the U.S. You also need to show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing—not just for immigration purposes. Evidence like photos, letters, video chats, and travel history can help prove this.
K-1 Visa Eligibility Requirements
You and your fiancé must meet the following requirements:
You (the sponsor) must be a U.S. citizen
You both must be free to marry (all previous marriages must be legally ended)
You must have met in person at least once in the last two years
Waivers are possible in cases of extreme hardship or religious customs
You must plan to marry within 90 days of arrival
You must meet income requirements
Who Is NOT Eligible for a K-1 Visa?
You are already married
Your partner is a green card holder, not a U.S. citizen
You can’t prove a real relationship
You’ve never met in person
You have certain criminal convictions or violated immigration laws
You have a serious health condition that could pose a risk
Digital Proof of Relationship For K1-Visa
- Screenshots of chats and video calls
- Photos together and with family
- Social media posts and tags
- Shared subscriptions or online games
- Travel receipts and boarding passes
Step 1: File Form I-129F
The U.S. citizen sponsor files Form I-129F with USCIS. You must include:
Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport, birth certificate, etc.)
Proof you plan to marry in 90 days (signed letters)
Evidence of your relationship (photos, messages, travel tickets)
Proof you met in person (flight records, photos, hotel receipts)
Passport-style photos of both partners
Copies of prior marriage termination (if any)
The latest version of Form I-129F (new one required after May 1, 2025)
Step 2: Submit DS-160 and Prepare for Interview
Your fiancé must complete Form DS-160 online. This is the official visa application.
You’ll need to gather:
Two passport-style photos
Valid passport
Birth certificate
Police certificates (from all countries lived in since age 16)
Medical exam results (from a certified doctor abroad)
Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
Recent tax returns
Copy of the approved I-129F package
Step 3: Medical Exam & Visa Interview
The foreign fiancé must schedule a medical exam with a government-approved doctor
At the visa interview, a consular officer will ask about your relationship, plans to marry, and background
If all goes well, the officer will approve the visa or request more documents
Step 4: Travel to the U.S. and Get Married
Once approved, your fiancé has 6 months to travel to the U.S.
After arriving:
You must get married within 90 days
If you don’t marry, your fiancé must leave the U.S.
After marriage, apply for a green card (Adjustment of Status)