Once your fiancée is awarded a K-1 visa, he or she will receive the passport submitted to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate containing the fiancée visa, along with a sealed packet of documents, including all submitted evidence. Your fiancée should not open this packet and must present it to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official upon entering the U.S.

Once your fiancée receives these documents, he or she will be able to enter the U.S. one time within six months of obtaining a K-1 visa. In some extreme circumstances, your fiancée visa lawyer may be able to negotiate an extension of this six-month deadline after obtaining the visa.

As soon as your fiancée enters the country, the 90-day countdown begins—during this time, you must be legally married for your fiancée to apply for LPR status.

If you do not get married within the 90-day stay permitted by the K-1 visa, your fiancée must return to his or her home country before the deadline passes. His or her children must also return. Failure to do so is a violation of immigration law, which can create future problems if your fiancée plans to travel to or relocate to the U.S. in the future.

It is important to understand that, like any visa, obtaining a K-1 visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A DHS official must still grant entry upon arrival. This official will review the sealed packet your fiancée receives, which contains the K-1 visa and evidence of eligibility. While your fiancé(e) visa lawyer or immigration attorney will make every effort to ensure everything is in order and that you are not turned away, it is essential to thoroughly understand the benefits and limitations of a fiancé(e) visa or K-1 visa.

Consultation: (800) 637-6178
U.S.: (619) 677-5727
Canada: (800) 637-6178

(All numbers route to the same line.)

Italy: 06 8938 5848
England: 020 3371 0984