Evanston, IL immigration attorney Alen Takhsh talks about K-1 visas. He explains that a K-1 visa, commonly referred to as a fiancé visa, allows a U.S. citizen to petition for their foreign fiancé. The process begins with the filing of Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the petition is forwarded to the U.S. Embassy abroad. At that stage, the applicant must complete the DS-160 online application, while the petitioner must demonstrate sufficient financial means to ensure the fiancé will not become a public charge in the United States.

After submitting the required documentation, the applicant will be scheduled for a visa interview. If the visa is granted, the fiancé may enter the United States, and the couple will have 90 days to marry. Following the marriage, the beneficiary must file for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.

Based on current timelines, it generally takes 10 to 14 months for the green card application to be processed. If the marriage is relatively recent, the beneficiary will receive a conditional green card valid for two years. If the marriage has already exceeded two years by the time of approval, the beneficiary may instead be granted a 10-year permanent resident card.