- K-1 Visa
A citizen of a foreign country who would like to come to the United States to marry an American citizen and reside in the U.S. will have to obtain a K-1 visa.To establish K-1 visa classification for an alien fiancé(e), an American citizen must file a petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) having jurisdiction over the place of the petitioner's residence in the United States. Such petitions may not be adjudicated abroad. The approved petition will be forwarded by INS to the American consular office where the alien fiancé(e) will apply for his or her visa. A petition is valid for a period of four months from the date of INS action, and may be revalidated by the consular officer.
- K-3 & K-4 Visas
The K-3 and
K-4 visas are intended for use by both a spouse (K-3) of a United States
citizen and by the spouse’s children (K-4). The purpose of this type
of visas is to reunite families that have been or could be subject to
a long period of separation during the process of immigrating to the
United States. Holders of the K-3 and K-4 visas will be able to wait
in the US for this process to be completed. Like K-1, an American citizen
must file petitions with the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) having jurisdiction over the place of the petitioner’s residence
in the United States. Such petitions may not be adjudicated abroad.
The approved petition will be forwarded by INS to the American consular
office where the alien spouse or chid will apply for his or her visa.