United States · Spouse visas
United States K-1 fiancé visa
First stay: 3 mo
K-1 Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
K-1 fiancé visa is a spouse visas route for United States. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
- Government fees
- $675
- First stay
- 3 mo
Cost, time and long term
Government fees$675
- $675Form I-129F petition for the fiancé(e) (Form G-1055). The USCIS Immigrant Fee does not apply to K nonimmigrants.
RenewalNot renewable
The K-1 visa is valid for 6 months for a single entry, and status lasts 90 days, within which you must marry before applying for a Green Card.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Naturalisation requires years of lawful permanent resident status (5 years, or 3 if married to a U.S. citizen), so time in this temporary status does not count toward it.
Where to applyFrom abroad
The fiance(e) applies for the K-1 visa from outside the U.S. after the petition is approved.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Can't be renewed
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Applications are made from outside United States, not after arriving
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The petitioner is a U.S. citizen.
- Both partners are legally free to marry.
- The couple intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the US, with a genuine intent to build a life together.
- The couple met in person at least once in the 2 years before filing, unless a waiver is granted.
What you must show and pay1
- A fee of $675 · Form I-129F petition for the fiancé(e) (Form G-1055). The USCIS Immigrant Fee does not apply to K nonimmigrants.
Documents1
- Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), filed by the citizen with supporting evidence.
Steps2
- USCIS approves the petition and sends it to the consulate where the fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa.
- Consular officer decides on the visa; admission at the port of entry is decided by CBP.
After you arrive2
- K-1 status expires after 90 days and cannot be extended; the fiancé(e) must leave if the marriage does not take place.
- After marrying within 90 days the spouse files Form I-485 for a Green Card.
When you become tax resident
How United States decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 3 months in total
- Tax residence
- At least 31 days in the current calendar yearMinimum days of presence in the current year.
- At least 183 days in the current year plus two preceding years (weighted 1, 1/3, 1/6)Weighted days of presence over the three-year period.
- Foreign-source income
U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
All tax rules for United States Tax records checked
Full official text
For the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The couple must marry within 90 days of entry, after which the spouse can apply for a Green Card. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- A fee of $675 · Form I-129F petition for the fiancé(e) (Form G-1055). The USCIS Immigrant Fee does not apply to K nonimmigrants. 2
Requirements
- The petitioner is a U.S. citizen. 1
- Both partners are legally free to marry. 1
- The couple intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the US, with a genuine intent to build a life together. 1
- The couple met in person at least once in the 2 years before filing, unless a waiver is granted. 1
- Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), filed by the citizen with supporting evidence. 1
- USCIS approves the petition and sends it to the consulate where the fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa. 1
- Consular officer decides on the visa; admission at the port of entry is decided by CBP. 1
- K-1 status expires after 90 days and cannot be extended; the fiancé(e) must leave if the marriage does not take place. 1
- After marrying within 90 days the spouse files Form I-485 for a Green Card. 1
Stay
- K-1 visa valid up to 6 months for a single entry; status lasts 90 days to marry, then a Green Card application follows.
- Initial permitted stay: 3 months.
- Visa validity: 6 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Not renewable according to our source.
Work
Work authorisation can be requested after entry (valid 90 days), or with the Green Card application (valid one year, extendable).
Family
Unmarried children under 21 of the fiancé(e) can enter on K-2 visas.
Official sources
- Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-07
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
K-1 fiancé visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-1 fiancé visa | – | 3 mo | – |
| Spouse green card (F2A) | Needs income of $27k+ a year | – | Limited |
| Spouse green card (citizen) | Needs income of $27k+ a year | – | Limited |
| Spouse of a citizen Mexico | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Partner of a citizen Colombia | – | – | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the K-1 fiancé visa?
A fee of $675. Form I-129F petition for the fiancé(e) (Form G-1055).
How long can I stay on the K-1 fiancé visa?
K-1 visa valid up to 6 months for a single entry; status lasts 90 days to marry, then a Green Card application follows.
Can I work on the K-1 fiancé visa?
Work authorisation can be requested after entry (valid 90 days), or with the Green Card application (valid one year, extendable).
Can I bring my family on the K-1 fiancé visa?
Unmarried children under 21 of the fiancé(e) can enter on K-2 visas.
More in United States
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.