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United StatesFamilyLast checked October 16, 2026

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

The K-1 lets the foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen travel to the US to marry. The citizen files Form I-129F with USCIS, the fiancé(e) gets a visa at a US embassy, and the couple must marry within 90 days of entry. After the marriage, the spouse applies for a green card in the US with Form I-485.

See requirements ↓
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 40 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Chad
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Your edge here Members

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

Who it’s for

Foreign nationals engaged to a US citizen who plan to marry in the US within 90 days of arrival.

Eligibility

  • US citizen petitioner

    The petitioner must be a US citizen; permanent residents cannot use the K-1.

  • Intent to marry within 90 days

    You both need to intend to marry each other, in a genuine marriage, within 90 days of the fiancé(e)'s admission.

    Official wording

    Both partners must intend to marry each other within 90 days of the fiancé(e)'s admission, in a genuine marriage.

  • Free to marry

    Both must be legally free to marry, with any earlier marriages ended by divorce, death or annulment.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementMet in person
  • Document checklistForm I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
  • FeesForm I-129F

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 4 more requirements
  • 8 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions

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