If you are engaged to a foreign national and plan to marry in the United States, a fiancé visa may allow your future spouse to enter the country legally before the wedding. Commonly known as a K-1 visa, this immigration option is available to eligible U.S. citizens who intend to marry within 90 days of their fiancé’s arrival. Although bringing a fiancé to the United States is challenging, an experienced fiancé visa lawyer can help.

At Vista Legal Services, we assist couples with the visa process, prepare complete petitions, and avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays. When you work with our firm, you can expect:

  • Direct attorney access throughout your case
  • Honest assessments and realistic expectations about your options
  • Spanish-speaking staff available to assist you and your family
  • Fair and transparent fees with clear explanations of costs

Our promise is simple. We will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions honestly, and provide guidance you can trust. While no attorney can guarantee a particular outcome, your case will receive the attention and respect it deserves.

What Is a Fiancé Visa?

A fiancé visa, or K-1 visa, allows a foreign citizen who is engaged to a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for marriage. Once the foreign fiancé arrives, the couple must marry within 90 days.

After the marriage takes place, the foreign spouse may apply for lawful permanent residence through a process known as adjustment of status. The fiancé visa process is designed to help couples who wish to begin their lives together in the United States but have not yet married.

Who Qualifies for a Fiancé Visa?

Not every engaged couple qualifies for a fiancé visa. USCIS requires applicants to meet several eligibility requirements before a petition can be approved:

  • The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen
  • Both parties must be legally free to marry
  • The couple must intend to marry within 90 days of entry into the United States
  • The couple must have met in person within the required period unless a limited exception applies
  • The relationship must be genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes

Every situation is different. Some cases involve prior marriages, children, international travel concerns, or other factors that may require additional documentation.

How Does the Fiancé Visa Process Work?

The fiancé visa process involves several steps.

First, the U.S. citizen files a petition with USCIS on behalf of the foreign fiancé. Supporting documents are submitted to demonstrate eligibility and establish the legitimacy of the relationship.

If the petition is approved, the case is forwarded for additional processing and a visa interview at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. Once the visa is issued, the foreign fiancé may travel to the United States.

After arrival:

  1. The couple marries within 90 days.
  2. The foreign spouse applies for adjustment of status.
  3. USCIS reviews the application for lawful permanent residence and schedules an adjustment interview.
  4. The couple attend the adjustment interview, which, if successful, results in the issuance of a green card.

The fiancé visa process requires careful preparation—delays can occur if forms are incomplete, supporting documentation is missing, or additional information is requested.

What Evidence Is Needed for a Fiancé Visa Petition?

One of the most important parts of a fiancé visa case is demonstrating that the relationship is legitimate. Evidence commonly submitted includes:

  • Photographs together
  • Travel records
  • Communication records
  • Engagement documentation
  • Statements from the couple
  • Evidence of in-person meetings
  • Other documents showing an ongoing relationship

Providing clear and organized documentation can help strengthen a petition and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary delays.

What Can Delay a Fiancé Visa Petition?

Many couples are surprised to learn that avoidable mistakes can slow down the process.

Common issues include:

  • Missing forms or supporting documents
  • Inconsistent information in applications
  • Insufficient evidence of the relationship
  • Requests for additional evidence from USCIS
  • Errors during consular processing
  • Questions regarding eligibility requirements

We work to address potential concerns, reduce complications, and keep the case moving forward.

We assist clients throughout Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, the Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead region and the rest of the Inland Empire as well as all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties with fiancé visas and other family immigration matters. We understand that being separated from a loved one is never easy.

Whether you are beginning the fiancé visa process or have concerns about an existing petition, we are here to help. You can depend on us to provide clear information, answer your questions, and guide you through the process. Contact us today to learn more about fiancé petitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, pursuing a fiancé visa or getting married abroad and pursuing a spousal visa?

That’s the question that almost all of our clients have when they first inquire about the process and there is no simple answer. What is “better” depends upon many factors which are unique to each individual couple, as well as the current processing times for each process. We can give you the information that will allow you to make the best decision about which way to proceed.

Do we have to get married within 90 days?

Yes. A couple using a K-1 fiancé visa is required to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé’s arrival in the United States.

What happens if we do not marry within 90 days?

Failure to marry within the required time period results in termination of K-1 status and eliminates the benefit of having obtained a K-1 visa in the first place. Even if you do marry your fiancé after the 90 days you cannot adjust status in the United States.

If I adjust status after entering on a fiancé visa will I get a green card?

Yes, but if your adjustment of status is approved less than two years from the date of your marriage, you will receive a conditional resident card good for two years instead of ten years, the period for which most green cards are issued. Before the two years expires, you must apply to remove the conditions.

Fiancé Visas

If you are engaged to a foreign national and plan to marry in the United States, a fiancé visa may allow your future spouse to enter the country legally before the wedding. Commonly known as a K-1 visa, this immigration option is available to eligible U.S. citizens who intend to marry within 90 days of their fiancé’s arrival. Although bringing a fiancé to the United States is challenging, an experienced fiancé visa lawyer can help.

At Vista Legal Services, we assist couples with the visa process, prepare complete petitions, and avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays. When you work with our firm, you can expect:

  • Direct attorney access throughout your case
  • Honest assessments and realistic expectations about your options
  • Spanish-speaking staff available to assist you and your family
  • Fair and transparent fees with clear explanations of costs

Our promise is simple. We will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions honestly, and provide guidance you can trust. While no attorney can guarantee a particular outcome, your case will receive the attention and respect it deserves.

What Is a Fiancé Visa?

A fiancé visa, or K-1 visa, allows a foreign citizen who is engaged to a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for marriage. Once the foreign fiancé arrives, the couple must marry within 90 days.

After the marriage takes place, the foreign spouse may apply for lawful permanent residence through a process known as adjustment of status. The fiancé visa process is designed to help couples who wish to begin their lives together in the United States but have not yet married.

Who Qualifies for a Fiancé Visa?

Not every engaged couple qualifies for a fiancé visa. USCIS requires applicants to meet several eligibility requirements before a petition can be approved:

  • The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen
  • Both parties must be legally free to marry
  • The couple must intend to marry within 90 days of entry into the United States
  • The couple must have met in person within the required period unless a limited exception applies
  • The relationship must be genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes

Every situation is different. Some cases involve prior marriages, children, international travel concerns, or other factors that may require additional documentation.

How Does the Fiancé Visa Process Work?

The fiancé visa process involves several steps.

First, the U.S. citizen files a petition with USCIS on behalf of the foreign fiancé. Supporting documents are submitted to demonstrate eligibility and establish the legitimacy of the relationship.

If the petition is approved, the case is forwarded for additional processing and a visa interview at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. Once the visa is issued, the foreign fiancé may travel to the United States.

After arrival:

  1. The couple marries within 90 days.
  2. The foreign spouse applies for adjustment of status.
  3. USCIS reviews the application for lawful permanent residence and schedules an adjustment interview.
  4. The couple attend the adjustment interview, which, if successful, results in the issuance of a green card.

The fiancé visa process requires careful preparation—delays can occur if forms are incomplete, supporting documentation is missing, or additional information is requested.

What Evidence Is Needed for a Fiancé Visa Petition?

One of the most important parts of a fiancé visa case is demonstrating that the relationship is legitimate. Evidence commonly submitted includes:

  • Photographs together
  • Travel records
  • Communication records
  • Engagement documentation
  • Statements from the couple
  • Evidence of in-person meetings
  • Other documents showing an ongoing relationship

Providing clear and organized documentation can help strengthen a petition and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary delays.

What Can Delay a Fiancé Visa Petition?

Many couples are surprised to learn that avoidable mistakes can slow down the process.

Common issues include:

  • Missing forms or supporting documents
  • Inconsistent information in applications
  • Insufficient evidence of the relationship
  • Requests for additional evidence from USCIS
  • Errors during consular processing
  • Questions regarding eligibility requirements

We work to address potential concerns, reduce complications, and keep the case moving forward.

We assist clients throughout Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, the Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead region and the rest of the Inland Empire as well as all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties with fiancé visas and other family immigration matters. We understand that being separated from a loved one is never easy.

Whether you are beginning the fiancé visa process or have concerns about an existing petition, we are here to help. You can depend on us to provide clear information, answer your questions, and guide you through the process. Contact us today to learn more about fiancé petitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, pursuing a fiancé visa or getting married abroad and pursuing a spousal visa?

That’s the question that almost all of our clients have when they first inquire about the process and there is no simple answer. What is “better” depends upon many factors which are unique to each individual couple, as well as the current processing times for each process. We can give you the information that will allow you to make the best decision about which way to proceed.

Do we have to get married within 90 days?

Yes. A couple using a K-1 fiancé visa is required to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé’s arrival in the United States.

What happens if we do not marry within 90 days?

Failure to marry within the required time period results in termination of K-1 status and eliminates the benefit of having obtained a K-1 visa in the first place. Even if you do marry your fiancé after the 90 days you cannot adjust status in the United States.

If I adjust status after entering on a fiancé visa will I get a green card?

Yes, but if your adjustment of status is approved less than two years from the date of your marriage, you will receive a conditional resident card good for two years instead of ten years, the period for which most green cards are issued. Before the two years expires, you must apply to remove the conditions.