Same Day Marriage for the K-1 Visa

Same Day Marriage Services

About the K-1 Visa

A K-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa issued by the United States to the fiancé or fiancée of a U.S. citizen. It allows the foreign national to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married to their U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. After the marriage takes place, the foreign national can apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States.

Key points about the K-1 visa include:

Purpose: The primary purpose of the K-1 visa is to allow a foreign national to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying their U.S. citizen sponsor.
Requirements: To qualify for a K-1 visa, the petitioner (the U.S. citizen sponsor) and the beneficiary (the foreign fiancé/fiancée) must demonstrate a genuine intention to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary’s entry into the United States. They must also meet other eligibility criteria set by U.S. immigration law.
Application Process: The process for obtaining a K-1 visa involves several steps, including filing a petition (Form I-129F) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), undergoing background checks, attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the beneficiary’s home country, and fulfilling medical and other requirements.
Conditional Residence: After the marriage takes place and the foreign national enters the United States on a K-1 visa, they are granted conditional permanent resident status for a period of two years. Within 90 days before the conditional status expires, the couple must file a petition to remove the conditions on residence (Form I-751) to obtain permanent resident status without conditions.
Limitations: It’s important to note that the K-1 visa is specifically for individuals who intend to marry a U.S. citizen and then apply for lawful permanent residence. It cannot be used for other purposes, such as employment or attending school.

Overall, the K-1 visa provides a pathway for couples to be together in the United States and pursue permanent residence based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Other Visas

Besides the K-1 visa, there are other visa categories that allow foreign nationals to marry U.S. citizens and eventually obtain lawful permanent resident status (green cards). Some of these visas include:

CR-1 and IR-1 Visas: The CR-1 (Conditional Resident) and IR-1 (Immediate Relative) visas are immigrant visas for spouses of U.S. citizens. The CR-1 visa is for couples who have been married for less than two years, while the IR-1 visa is for couples married for more than two years. Unlike the K-1 visa, which is a nonimmigrant visa, the CR-1 and IR-1 visas lead directly to lawful permanent residence upon entry into the United States.
F2A Visa: The F2A visa is a family preference immigrant visa for spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents (green card holders). Once the F2A beneficiary enters the United States and obtains lawful permanent resident status, they can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.
V Visa (Nonimmigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): The V visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents who have been waiting for an immigrant visa (such as the F2A visa) for an extended period. The V visa allows them to live and work in the United States while they wait for their immigrant visa application to be processed.
Special Immigrant Visas (Spouse of U.S. Citizen Abroad): In certain cases, spouses of U.S. citizens who are residing abroad may be eligible for special immigrant visas. These visas are typically reserved for individuals who have been married to U.S. citizens for a certain period and have lived together abroad for a significant portion of their marriage.

These are some of the main visa options for foreign nationals who marry U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and wish to immigrate to the United States. Each visa category has its own eligibility requirements and application process, so it’s important to consult with an immigration attorney or refer to the official website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for specific guidance.