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Apply for a fiancé-petitioned K-1 visa

Bring your fiancé(e) to the United States to marry and begin your next chapter together. Start with the U.S. citizen's petition, prepare for the visa interview, and plan to marry within 90 days of K-1 admission.

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FIND YOUR PATH

Who is this case for?

Fiancés of U.S. citizens applying from abroad

For couples who are legally free to marry and intend to marry each other in the United States within 90 days of the foreign fiancé(e)'s K-1 admission. Lawful permanent residents cannot sponsor a K-1. If you are already married, explore the petition-by-spouse application.

YOUR PAPERWORK, ORGANIZED

Forms Included in this Application

The petition and visa application are separate stages. Requirements vary by case and consular post.

Phase 1: Petition with USCIS

  • Required

    I-129F

    The U.S. citizen files the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) with USCIS to begin the K-1 process.

    Open Fillvisa I-129F
  • Required

    Supporting evidence

    Gather proof of U.S. citizenship, legal termination of prior marriages, intent to marry, relationship evidence, and proof of the required in-person meeting or a supported waiver request. Include the photos and other records specified in the instructions.

    Review petition evidence instructions
  • If applicable

    G-1450

    Authorize credit card payment for an eligible USCIS paper filing. Follow current payment instructions.

    Open Fillvisa G-1450
  • If applicable

    G-1650

    Authorize ACH payment for an eligible USCIS paper filing. Choose the applicable payment method; both authorizations are not needed.

    Open Fillvisa G-1650
  • Optional

    G-1145

    Request email or text acceptance notifications for an eligible USCIS lockbox filing.

    Open Fillvisa G-1145

Phase 2: Visa processing and consular interview

After approval, USCIS sends the petition to the National Visa Center, which forwards it to the embassy or consulate. Follow that post's instructions for the visa application, medical examination, and interview.

  • Required

    DS-160

    Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and keep the confirmation page. Each eligible K-2 child applying for a visa also needs a separate application.

    Open Fillvisa DS-160
  • As requested by the consulate

    I-134

    Declaration of Financial Support. Follow the consulate instructions for this form and accompanying income or asset evidence. This is distinct from the I-864 used at the later green card stage.

    View USCIS I-134 instructions
  • Required

    Consular medical exam

    Arrange the examination with an authorized panel physician following the embassy or consulate instructions. This is not the U.S. civil-surgeon I-693 process.

    Review medical exam instructions
  • Required

    Civil and interview documents

    Gather passport, birth certificate, applicable divorce or death records, required police certificates, photographs, and relationship and financial evidence. Follow the interview post checklist.

    Review the K-1 document checklist

After arrival: Marriage and a separate green card application

Marry the U.S. citizen who filed the petition within 90 days of admission. A K-1 visa or marriage does not automatically grant a green card. After marriage, eligible applicants separately file I-485, generally with I-864 and other required evidence; I-765 and I-131 may be optional. Medical documentation requirements depend on the prior exam and vaccination record.

Eligible unmarried children under 21 may seek K-2 visas, subject to the applicable rules. Include them in the petition and plan their separate visa and later adjustment applications. Review USCIS guidance for K-1/K-2 adjustment.

Check current editions, filing fees, accepted payment methods, and agency instructions before submitting. The cards above cover petition and visa preparation; later adjustment filings are a separate stage.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Confirm the requirements for both partners before preparing the petition.

Get Started
  • A U.S. citizen petitioner

    The sponsoring fiancé(e) must be a U.S. citizen and provide citizenship evidence. This route is for an intended marriage, rather than an existing marriage.

  • Legally free and intending to marry

    Both partners must be legally free to marry when the petition is filed and remain so. Document the genuine intent to marry each other within 90 days of K-1 admission.

  • An in-person meeting

    Generally, meet in person at least once during the two years immediately before filing. Limited waivers may apply for extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen or strict, long-established cultural or social customs; provide evidence for any waiver request.

  • Visa eligibility and disclosures

    The visa applicant must meet applicable admissibility requirements. Provide the required financial and medical evidence and accurately disclose relevant history. Prior petitions or specified criminal history can trigger additional requirements under the petition instructions.

Official guidance: USCIS I-129F instructions · Department of State K-1 visa process. Fillvisa provides form tools and general information, not legal advice.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Getting Started

Prepare the citizen's petition first, then follow the consulate's instructions once the case reaches the visa stage.

Prepare Form I-129F
  1. 1

    Gather your relationship records

    Collect citizenship and civil records, evidence of meeting in person, and statements and documents supporting your intent to marry.

  2. 2

    Prepare the petition and visa stages

    File I-129F with the required evidence. After the case is forwarded, complete DS-160 and follow the consulate checklist for financial support, medical examination, and interview.

  3. 3

    Plan marriage and adjustment

    If admitted in K-1 status, marry the petitioning citizen within 90 days. Prepare the separate green card application and review work and travel authorization before making plans.

CHOOSE THE HELP YOU NEED

Compare your preparation options

Prepare supported forms for free with Fillvisa, or explore paid services with additional guidance and support.

K-1 VISA PETITION PACKAGE

$149

Additional forms may cost extra

CitizenPath

Online preparation with personalized filing instructions and email and phone support.

ESSENTIALS

From $599

Enhanced $899 · Professional $1,299

SimpleCitizen

Application preparation with multiple service levels, including options for legal review and support.

Prices are in USD and cover preparation services only. Government filing fees and medical examination costs are separate. These services differ in scope. The prices shown are not a quote for every phase of a green card case; confirm petition-stage coverage and later-stage costs with each provider.

Compare features and support

A closer look at what each option provides.

K-1 petition preparation services: Fillvisa, CitizenPath, and SimpleCitizen.
FeaturesFillvisaCitizenPathSimpleCitizen
Service price$0$149 for the listed packageFrom $599; Enhanced $899; Professional $1,299
Preparation approachSelf-service tools for individual formsGuided online questionnaireApplication preparation with service tiers
Form coverageSupported tools listed above; some forms link to USCISI-129F and G-1145; personalized instructions and evidence checklistConfirm petition-stage coverage and any separate second-phase services
PDF outputDownload supported completed formsReady-to-sign application downloadPDF application
Filing guidanceGeneral information and official USCIS linksPersonalized instructions and evidence checklistPackage features vary by service tier
Human supportHelp Center and community resourcesEmail and phone supportLive chat; additional services vary by tier
Legal servicesNo attorney review or representation includedSelf-service package; see provider for legal-service optionsLegal review / support options; check selected tier
Government filing feesSeparate, where applicableSeparateSeparate

Checked October 28, 2026. Sources: CitizenPath package details and SimpleCitizen pricing and features. Prices and inclusions may change; confirm details with each provider.