How Do I Bring My Fiancé To The United States?

Planning to marry someone who lives abroad? If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to bring your fiancé(e) to the United States through the K-1 visa, commonly called the Fiancé(e) Visa. Here’s a simple breakdown of the process so you know what to expect in 10 easy steps.

1. Speak with our office to confirm that you qualify to petition for your fiancé(e), and that your fiancé(e) is eligible to receive a K-1 visa. Based on each of your family, immigration, criminal, and employment histories, there may be factors that could affect eligibility.

2. Meet your fiancé(e) in-person, if you have not already done so at least once within the past two years. The location of the meeting does not matter, as long as it occurs in person.

3. Gather the necessary documents for your case, such as Statement of Intent to Marry, proof of in-person meeting, evidence of relationship, biographical information, and other relevant legal documents.

• At our office, we work to prevent unnecessary delays by providing each client with a personalized checklist tailored to their specific case. These checklists outline all required documentation and are delivered electronically via email and text message alerts for convenience.
• To help clients stay on track, we also send regular reminders until all items are submitted and the file is complete, which ensures a smooth and timely preparation process.

4. File a fiancé petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by submitting Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)). This form establishes that you’re in a genuine relationship and intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s arrival.

• At our office, we assist couples with the completion of the I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé and the submission of all required supporting documents. Our goal is to ensure that every section of the petition is completed thoroughly and accurately, and that all documentation meets current government standards.
• This tailored support significantly reduces the risk of having the petition rejected, denied, or delayed by a Request for Evidence (RFE)—helping couples avoid unnecessary setbacks and improving their chances of a smooth and timely adjudication process.

5. Once the fiancé petition is approved, pay for and submit the DS-160 online visa application with the National Visa Center (NVC). At this stage, your fiancé will need to obtain police clearance letters.

• At our office, we assist couples with the completion of the DS-160 online visa application and the submission of all required supporting documents. Our goal is to ensure that every section of the application is completed thoroughly and accurately, and that the correct documents are uploaded in accordance with visa requirements.
• This personalized support allows couples to move forward confidently, knowing that their application is being handled with care and precision—minimizing delays and maximizing their chances for a smooth visa process.

6. Once the application and supporting documents are submitted at the NVC, your fiancé will need to undergo an immigration physical/medical exam.

7. Your fiancé (and any unmarried children under 21 years of age) will be scheduled to attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Your fiancé should be prepared to answer questions regarding both their and your family background, immigration history, criminal record, and employment information.

• At our office, we provide clients with a mock visa interview to help prepare for the real experience. This allows the foreign national to understand the types of questions typically asked during the interview and the reasons behind them. Mock visa interviews can be conducted by phone or virtually via WebEx, Viber, or WhatsApp, depending on the client’s preference.

8. Once your fiancé arrives to the U.S., the two of you will need to get married within 90 days.

• At our office, once a couple is married, we offer helpful guidance on legal procedures related to name changes and other important steps following the marriage. We also educate clients on what is required for the marriage ceremony to be recognized as legally valid for U.S. immigration purposes.
• This includes ensuring that the couple: (i) was lawfully married by an individual authorized to perform the ceremony; (ii) obtained a government-issued marriage certificate; and complied with local laws in the place where the marriage occurred.
• These steps are essential to ensure that the marriage can be used to support immigration petitions and establish the legitimacy of the marital relationship under U.S. immigration law.

9. Once you are married, your fiancé will need to file a Green Card application with USCIS by submitting Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and any related forms. This allows them to remain in the U.S. legally while USCIS reviews their application.

• At our office, we assist clients by preparing the necessary immigration forms for their review and signature. We also answer any questions related to the forms and guide clients in gathering the documents and evidence required to support their case. For couples who have been married for fewer than 90 days, we understand that traditional evidence of a marital relationship may not yet be available. That’s why we provide personalized suggestions and tips on alternative documentation that can help demonstrate a bona fide marriage.
• Once the application is submitted, our office closely monitors its progress, keeps clients informed of any updates, assists with address changes, and remains available to answer questions that may affect the case.

10. Attend a marriage-based Green Card interview, if scheduled. In some cases, when the couple submits a well-documented and complete application, USCIS may waive the in-person interview requirement. If the interview is waived, the Green Card can be approved more quickly, helping you avoid unnecessary delays in processing.

• At our office, we provide clients with a mock interview to help prepare for the real experience. This allows couples to understand the types of questions typically asked during the interview and the reasons behind them. Mock interviews can be conducted in person, by phone, or virtually via WebEx, Viber, or WhatsApp, depending on the client’s preference.

For more information on How do I bring my fiancé to the United States a consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (281) 777-1236 today!