K-3 Visa - Foreign National Spouse

The K-3 non-immigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen spouse of a United States (U.S.) citizen. This visa category typically offers the option to obtain a non-immigrant K-3 visa overseas and enter the US to await approval of the immigrant visa petition.  A K-3 visa recipient can apply to adjust status to a permanent resident with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services upon approval of the petition. Because the spouse of a U.S. citizen, applying for a non-immigrant K-3 visa, must have an immigrant visa petition filed on his or her behalf by their U.S. citizen spouse. Pending approval, a K-3 applicant must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. It should be noted that under U.S. immigration law, a foreign citizen who marries a U.S. citizen outside the U.S. must apply for the K-3 visa in the country where the marriage took place.

K-4 Visa - Children of K-3 Applicants

Eligible children of K-3 visa applicants, receive K-4 visas. Both K-3 and the K-4 visas allow their recipients to stay in the United States while immigrant visa petitions are pending approval by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

K-1 VISA - Fiance

The K-1 non-immigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiance of a United States (U.S.) citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiance to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. The foreign-citizen will then apply for adjustment of status to a permanent resident with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Because a fiance visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiance must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants receive K-2 visas.