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Immigrant Visas

K Visas - Spouse, Fiancé(e) and Child(ren) of U. S. citizens

K Visas are for the Spouses, Children, and Fiancée/Fiancés of U.S. Citizens.

There are four types of "K" visas:

K1 - Fiancé/e of an American Citizen

K2 - Child(ren) of K1 visa applicants

K3/K4 - Spouse and Child(ren) of an American Citizen

The K3 and K4 visas were created by the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act (the "LIFE Act"), which was signed into law on December 21, 2000.

K1 visa - Fiancé/e of an American Citizen
In order to be issued a K1 visa, your American citizen fiancé/e must file a petition for you with the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (formerly INS). This is done using form I-129F. Form I-129F can be downloaded from the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services website.

After the Embassy or Consulate has received the approved visa petition according you status as a fiancé/e you will receive a letter from the Embassy or Consulate instructing you to appear for your visa interview. When you come for your interview, please bring the documents listed below with you:

  • A passport.
  • A completed Form DS-230 (part I only) Biographic Data form.
  • Two completed DS-156 (nonimmigrant visa application) forms, and one completed of DS-156K, (supplemental form for nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa applications). Do not sign the DS-156K supplemental form until instructed to do so by a Consular Officer.
  • Two nonimmigrant visa photos
  • A copy of your official birth certificate
  • Police Certificate
  • Evidence of Support: You must show evidence that you will not become a public charge in the U.S. A completed I-134 Affidavit of Support form along with supporting documents from your sponsor is helpful in proving that your sponsor has sufficient financial resources.
  • Proof of relationship: You will be asked for evidence that you have met your fiancé(e), and for proof of a valid engagement.
  • Proof of the legal termination of any previous marriage: death certificate of spouse, or decree of divorce or annulment
  • Court and prison records
  • Statement concerning your intent to enter into a valid marriage with your fiancé/e within 90 days of your admission into the U.S. Complete. Do not sign this statement until instructed to do so by the Consular Officer.
  • Medical examination.
  • A demand draft for the Visa Application fee

Click here for additional information on Fiancé(e) Visas

K2 Visa - Child of the Fiancé/e of a U.S. Citizen

Documentary requirements for a K2 visa are similar to those for a K1 visa. K2 applicants should bring the following documents with them to the interview:

  • A passport.
  • Two completed DS-156 (nonimmigrant visa application) forms.
  • Two nonimmigrant visa photos
  • A medical examination.
  • A copy of the child's official birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and other proof of relationship to the K-1 visa applicant.
  • Evidence of Support: You must show evidence that you will not become a public charge in the U.S. A completed I-134 Affidavit of Support form along with supporting documents from your sponsor is helpful in proving that your sponsor has sufficient financial resources.
  • A demand draft for the Visa Application fee.

K3/K4 visa for the spouse/minor child of a U.S. Citizen

Click here for complete information on K3 and K4 visas.

Applying for a K3 or K4 Visa

The embassy or consulate where you, the spouse of an American citizen, will apply for a K-3 visa must be in the country where your marriage took place. Here are the procedures to apply. The embassy or consulate will let you know any additional things to do, such as where you need to go for the required medical examination. The following is required:

The consular officer may ask for additional information. It is a good idea to bring marriage photographs and other proof that the marriage is genuine.

Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English. Take clear, legible photocopies of civil documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, to the visa interview. Original documents can then be returned to you.

Click here for additional information on K-3/K-4 Visas