Planning a wedding is exciting—but if your partner lives in another country, you’re probably juggling more than floral arrangements and venue deposits. The process of bringing your fiancé(e) to the U.S. through a K-1 visa can feel like a second full-time job. I’ve seen couples get lost in it more than once—buried in forms, frustrated by delays, unsure what to do next. But the truth is, with a little patience and a lot of organization, you can absolutely get through it.
At Tourzani & Long, LLC, we’ve helped couples from all over the world bring their partners to the U.S. and start the next chapter of their lives together. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about filing for a K-1 visa.
Who’s Eligible for a Fiancé Visa?
To qualify for a K-1 visa, you must be a U.S. citizen (green card holders aren’t eligible for this category) and intend to marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days of their arrival in the U.S. Your relationship also needs to be genuine—and recent. You’ll have to prove you’ve seen each other in person within the last two years unless you can show that meeting would have caused extreme hardship or violated cultural or religious customs.
The government doesn’t just take your word for it. You’ll need evidence—photos, travel itineraries, communication logs, and other documents that show a real, ongoing relationship.
Step One: File Form I-129F
The process begins with Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). This form is sent to USCIS along with proof of your citizenship, details about your relationship, and a handful of supporting documents. This is the part where many couples get overwhelmed—not because it’s legally complex, but because it’s tedious. Every detail counts.
Once your petition is approved, USCIS forwards it to the National Visa Center, which then sends it to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your fiancé(e)’s country.
Step Two: The Visa Interview
Your fiancé(e) will then attend a visa interview at their local U.S. embassy or consulate. This is where things get real. They’ll be asked questions about your relationship—how you met, what your future plans are, who attended your engagement, and more.
They’ll also need to provide documentation: birth certificate, police clearance, passport photos, medical exam results, and the I-134 Affidavit of Support to show you can financially support them. It’s a lot, and preparing for this interview matters.
If the interview goes well and there are no red flags, the K-1 visa will be issued. This typically happens within a few weeks, but delays can happen based on local embassy conditions.
Step Three: Enter the U.S. and Get Married
Once your fiancé(e) arrives in the U.S. on the K-1 visa, you must get married within 90 days. That deadline isn’t flexible. If you don’t marry within that window, your fiancé(e) has to leave the country, and overstaying can create serious legal problems.
This stage is often the happiest—and the most stressful. You’re planning a wedding while adjusting to life together in a new country. It’s a big shift, and you might feel pulled in too many directions at once. But once the marriage happens, you’re ready for the next legal step: applying for a green card.
Step Four: Adjust Status to Become a Permanent Resident
After you’re married, your new spouse can apply for a green card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is the final part of the K-1 visa journey, but it comes with its own set of interviews and requirements.
Your spouse will receive a conditional green card if your marriage is under two years old at the time of approval. That means another application—Form I-751—will be required later to remove conditions and get a 10-year green card. It’s a long road, but for most couples, it’s worth it.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don’t underestimate how much detail matters in these cases. Small inconsistencies—dates that don’t match, missing signatures, vague answers in interviews—can slow things down or raise red flags. It also helps to be prepared emotionally. The process isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about staying connected through months of waiting and uncertainty.
We’ve seen couples forget a single document and lose weeks of time. We’ve also seen people bring handwritten letters and candid photos to their interview and walk out with approval in hand. The details matter.
How We Can Help
At Tourzani & Long, LLC, we guide couples through every step of the K-1 visa journey—from filing the initial petition to helping prepare for the visa interview and eventual adjustment of status. We know how personal this process is and how important it is to get it right.
If you’re ready to bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S., or just want to understand what the timeline looks like for your situation, we’re here. We serve individuals and families across immigration categories and welcome inquiries from all backgrounds. You can learn more at tourzanilaw.com.