If a fiance/e or spouse of a U.S. citizen resides abroad, then there are options for bringing them to the U.S. on a temporary visa to begin the permanent residence ("green card") process in the U.S.

If the parties are not yet married, the fiance/e may enter the U.S. on a K-1 visa. This requires an application to be filed through the USCIS, and then an application through the National Visa Center and the U.S. consulate abroad. Once the fiance/e has entered the U.S., they must be married and file the green card petition within 90 days.

If the parties are married, the spouse may begin the green card process at the U.S. consulate abroad or enter the U.S. on a K-3 visa and then begin the green card process. Since process at the consulate can be quite lengthy, many spouses prefer to obtain the K-3 visas first in order to expedite their entry to the U.S.

Contact us for more information on bringing a spouse or fiance/e to the U.S.