Fiancé Visa Requirements: How to Know If You Qualify for a K-1 Visa

A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to enter the United States to marry a U.S. citizen. The couple must marry within 90 days of entry. After marriage, the foreign spouse applies for a green card through adjustment of status.

The process happens in two main phases:

1. The U.S. citizen files a petition with USCIS
2. The foreign fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate

Each phase has its own requirements.

Most eligibility questions come down to the petition stage. This is where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decides whether your relationship qualifies under immigration law.

• Who Can File a Fiancé Visa Petition?

  Only U.S. citizens may file Form I-129F. Lawful permanent residents cannot petition for a fiancé(e). You must also be legally free to marry. That means any prior marriages must be fully ended through divorce, annulment, or death.

• Who Qualifies as a Fiancé(e)?

  For immigration purposes, a fiancé(e) is:
  • Someone you intend to marry
  • Someone who is legally able to marry
  • Someone living outside the United States
  Same-sex couples are eligible, provided the marriage will be legally valid in the state where it occurs.

• You Must Have Met in Person

  In most cases, you and your fiancé(e) must have met in person at least once within the last two years. This meeting must be physical. Online relationships alone do not qualify. USCIS may waive this requirement only if:
  • Meeting would violate strict cultural or religious customs, or
  • Meeting would cause extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen
  Waivers are rare and must be well documented.

• You Must Intend to Marry Within 90 Days

  Both partners must show a genuine intent to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé(e)’s arrival. Common evidence includes:
  • Written statements from each partner
  • Wedding plans or venue inquiries
  • Proof of ongoing communication
  USCIS is not judging your love story. It is confirming that the relationship is real and not solely for immigration benefits.

• The Relationship Must Be Bona Fide

  USCIS looks for signs of a real relationship, such as:
  • Photos together
  • Travel records
  • Call logs or messages
  • Statements from friends or family
  There is no fixed list. The goal is to show a genuine, ongoing connection.

Your fiancé(e) must now apply for the actual K-1 visa. This stage confirms that the applicant is eligible to enter the United States.

• DS-160 Visa Application

  The foreign fiancé(e) must submit Form DS-160 online. This application collects biographic, travel, and background information. Accuracy matters. Inconsistencies with earlier filings can cause delays or denials.

• Medical Examination

  The U.S. embassy or consulate will require a medical exam by a U.S. government-approved physician. The exam checks for:
  • Certain communicable diseases
  • Required vaccinations
  • Other medical conditions affecting admissibility
  Medical results are sent directly to the embassy or provided in a sealed envelope. Learn what to expect from the immigration medical exam →

• Police Certificates and Background Checks

  Applicants must submit police certificates from:
  • Their current country of residence
  • Any country where they lived for a significant period after age 16
  Some criminal history may make an applicant inadmissible. In certain cases, a waiver may be available. Find out what's included in a police clearance certificate →

• Financial Support Requirement

  The U.S. citizen must show the ability to financially support their fiancé(e). This is done using Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. The income requirement is based on household size and federal poverty guidelines. If income is insufficient, a substitute sponsor may be possible. Check income qualifications using our Visa Sponsor Income Calculator →

• Visa Interview

  Finally, the foreign fiancé(e) attends a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. The officer may ask about:
  • The relationship
  • Wedding plans
  • Prior marriages
  • Immigration history
  Most interviews are straightforward if the case is well prepared. See what to expect from the fiancé visa interview questions →