The K Visa

U.S. citizens may bring their fiancés to the United States through the K visa for the purpose of getting married within 90 days. After the marriage, the couple completes the process by filing the adjustment of status forms to obtain a green card for the foreign spouse. This is a five-step process: (1) the U.S. citizen establishes the relationship with USCIS on the Form I-129F, (2) the fiancé applies for the K visa at the consulate, (3) travel to the United States, (4) get married, and (5) file the Form I-485 to apply for permanent residence with USCIS . One important requirement of the K visa is that the citizen and fiancé must have met in person at least once before applying for the visa. This requirement can only be waived if such a meeting would result in extreme hardship or would offend or contradict cultural norms. 

The fiancé needs to apply for the K visa within 4 months of the I129F approval. Once the fiancé arrives in the United States they are eligible for work authorization but must apply through USCIS, meaning there in will a practical delay before employment can start. Minor children of the fiancé may receive K-2 visa.

Spouses of U.S. citizens and their minor children may receive K-3 and K-4 visas, respectively, to wait out the long processing times in the United States. The citizen spouse must have already filed an I-130 petition with USCIS to certify the marriage. Other than that, the procedure is largely the same as for K-1 status: file the Form I-129F, apply at the consulate, enter and file the Form I-485 for a green card. K-3/K-4 status is generally valid for 2 years. Work authorization is available but only via application to USCIS.