Getting Help from an Experienced K1 Visa Lawyer in Fresno

A K1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States. This visa can be issued to the fiancé(é) of a United States citizen who lives in a different country. If you are engaged to a U.S. citizen and want to come to the United States to marry, you can apply for a K1 visa. To be eligible, the couple must be able to legally marry in the United States, meaning that any previous marriages have been legally terminated through divorce, death, or annulment, and the parties are at least 18 years of age in most states.

Other requirements include having met your fiancé(é) in person at least once in the past 2 years and being able to prove that your relationship is legitimate. You must have the intention to marry within 90 days of your entry into the U.S., and your fiancé(é) must meet federal poverty guidelines. Applying for a K1 visa can be a complicated process, and the help of an experienced K1 visa attorney from Bains Law Offices can give you the best chance at success in obtaining a K1 visa and marrying your fiancé(é). Call our Fresno office today at 559-890-1007.

Are there Advantages to Marrying in the United States Instead of in Another Country?

Sometimes, it is impossible for a couple to get married in a country other than the United States. For example, many countries do not allow same-sex marriage. Since same-sex marriage is legal in the United States, however, the fiancé(é) of a person of the same sex has the same rights to a K1 visa as an opposite-sex fiancé(é). Other impediments to marriage outside the U.S could include required parental permission, stricter age requirements, or other requirements that do not apply in the United States.

It is also possible that the fiancé(é) who is a U.S. citizen cannot travel out of the country for some reason, making it necessary for the foreign fiancé(é) to travel to the U.S. to marry. Another advantage to applying for a K1 visa instead of marrying in another country if the couple intends to live in the United States in the future is that this process is much faster than applying for a marriage Green Card for the non-citizen through a consular process in another country.

Can I Get a K1 Visa ?

Although a Green Card holder living in the United States is a Lawful Permanent Resident of the country and has access to many of the benefits that citizens of the United States enjoy such as the ability to work and be free of immigration enforcement troubles, there are some aspects of full citizenship that Green Card holders cannot access. One of these is applying for a K1 visa for a fiancé(é). Your fiancé(é). Must be a citizen of the United States, whether by birth or by naturalization, at the time of application for a K1 visa.

What Happens After I Enter the United States on a K1 Visa?

Once you have been granted a K1 visa and have traveled to the United States, you must marry the fiancé(é) who sponsored your visa application within 90 days of entry. If you do not marry within 90 days, you must return to your home country immediately. Once you are married, you can apply for an adjustment of status to obtain a marriage Green Card and begin enjoying the benefits of Lawful Permanent Resident status.

In the future, you may decide to pursue citizenship in the United States yourself through the naturalization process. Any interaction with immigration services in the United States is likely to be complex and time-consuming. Hiring one of our experienced K1 visa attorneys can ease your mind and help you toward making your dreams come true. Call Bains Law Offices today at 559-890-1007 to get started.

Can I Bring My Children with Me on a K1 Visa?

Children under the age of 21 who remain unmarried may be included on your K1 visa application. If they are determined to be eligible, they will be issued K2 visas at the time that you are granted your K1 visa. Then, they may enter the United States with you or after you, but not before you enter. Once you marry your fiancé(é), your children may become eligible to apply for their own Green Cards and achieve Lawful Permanent Resident status.