A K-1 visa can allow you to bring your fiancé into the country prior to your marriage. While there are some limitations, it is a nice option when you want him or her to have time to spend here before you marry, such as to plan the wedding or meet your family members.
According to the National Law Review, there are four steps to securing the K-1 fiancé visa.
Step one
You must take the first step to help your partner get his or her visa. You will need to petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with all the required documents and a completed application. The USCIS will then make a decision to deny or approve the request.
Step two
If you receive an approval, it is your partner’s turn to apply for the K-1 visa. He or she must complete the forms and provide the required documentation. Your fiancé must also attend an interview. An officer will then approve or deny the visa.
Step three
Your fiancé must enter the U.S within six months from the time the USCIS approves the K-1 visa. When he or she gets to the country, a Customs and Border Patrol officer will have the last say on whether to approve or deny entry. A visa does not guarantee entry.
Step four
You and your partner have 90 days from the date he or she enters the country to marry.
There are many things, such as travel bans, that could end up stalling the process. It is essential to understand all four steps of the process because at every step there is a chance for the government to deny your fiancé the right to enter the country.