Fiancée Visa Attorneys In Oakland

Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiancé (K-1)

The fiancé(e) visa, known officially as the K-1 nonimmigrant visa, allows a foreign national to enter the US for a specific period of time if he or she is engaged to be married to a US citizen and the purpose of the visit to the US is to actually conduct the wedding ceremony. 

It enables the citizen to legally bring his or her future spouse to the U. S. without having to go through the process of applying for a Green Card. Children of the non-U. S. citizen fiancé ( e ) may accompany their mother or father to the U. S. with a K-2 nonimmigrant visa.

If you have questions about the process of applying for a K-1 fiancé visa in Oakland, get in touch with Landerholm Immigration, A. P. C. today at (510) 491-0291 or contact us online for a consultation.

K-1 Visa Requirements

In order to obtain a fiancé or fiancée visa, an applicant must prove that:

• He or she has the intent to marry within 90 days of his or her arrival in the U. S. This can be accomplished by showing a history of correspondence (such as email or letters) with the man or woman in question, through a declaration that the couple has been dating for a period of time, through a picture of a ring, and so forth.
• Both parties are legally free to marry — specifically, both people need to be over the age of 18 and not currently married.
• That the couple has met in person at least once in the past two years, subject to some exceptions. For example, if this violates the couple’s strict cultural customs or if meeting would entail extreme hardship for one or the other, then they may seek a waiver of this requirement.

Once the fiancé visa is issued, the subject of the visa enters the U.S., and the couple actually marries, the non-U. S. citizen spouse may apply for a green card and remain in the U. S. while their application is processed. 

If for any reason the couple does not marry within the 90-day limit for the fiancé visa, the non-U. S. citizen must exit the country or risk penalties for violating U. S. immigration law.

Our Process For Fiancé(e) And Marriage Visa Cases

When you contact us about a fiancé(e) visa, we start by learning your story and understanding your goals as a couple. We review basic information about your relationship, prior immigration history, and any past interactions with U.S. immigration agencies. From there, we outline the main steps involved in a K-1 case, including the petition filed with USCIS, the consular processing stage abroad, and the green card application after you are married. For clients living in Oakland and nearby cities, we also discuss how travel plans, work schedules, and family responsibilities may affect the timing of each step.

After we map out the process, we work with you to gather documents and evidence that show your relationship is genuine and that you meet the K-1 requirements. This often includes records of communication, photos, travel history, and statements from friends or family members who know you as a couple. We then prepare and submit the required forms, monitor case status, and help your fiancé(e) get ready for the consular interview in their home country. If issues or questions arise at any point, we explain your options clearly so you can make informed decisions about how to move forward.

Alternative: Marriage-Based Adjustment of Status

Help with Fiancé(e) Visas & Green Cards in Oakland

We can advise and represent you and your fiancé(e) if your situation involves:

• A wedding that you and/or your family wants to have in California or elsewhere in the United States
• A wedding that will occur overseas, an occurrence which often makes a green card a more attractive option than a visa
• Planning for the future regarding marriage and family concerns

When you work with our team, we walk you through each step of the process, from preparing the initial petition in the United States to helping your fiancé(e) get ready for the consular interview abroad. We review your relationship history, identify any potential red flags, and gather documents and statements that clearly show your intention to build a life together. For clients in Oakland and nearby Bay Area communities, we also explain how local USCIS field office practices may affect your later green card application after you are married.