After You Received the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa

If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  It is important that you do not open the sealed packet.  Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. As the K-1 visa holder, you must enter the U.S. either before or at the same time as any qualifying children holding K-2 visas.

With your visa, you can apply for a single admission at a U.S. port of entry within the validity of the visa, which will be a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance.  You must marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of your entry into the United States.  Once you marry, you may apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while USCIS process the application.

After marriage, you and your American spouse must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or to Adjust Status with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live in the United States. You must fill out the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, with the USCIS for your spouse's application to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR).

Are My Children Required To Travel With Me?

Your children may travel with (accompany) you to the United States or travel later (follow-to-join).  Like you, your children must travel within the validity of their K-2 visas.  Separate petitions are not required if the children accompany or follow to join you within one year from the date of issuance of your K-1 visa.  If they want to travel later than one year from the date your K-1 visa was issued, they will not be eligible to receive K-2 visas, and separate immigrant visa petitions will be required.  If your child has a valid K-2 visa and you have already adjusted status to that of permanent resident, your child may still travel on the K-2 visa.

Permission to Work

After admission, you may immediately apply for permission to work by filling a For, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence.  Any work authorization based on non immigrant fiancé(e) visa would be valid for only 90 days after entry.  However, you would also be eligible to apply for an extended work authorization at the same time as you file for permanent residence. In this case, you would file Form I-765 together with Form I-485 as soon as you marry.

Can a K-1 Visa Holder Leave The United States?

The K-1 visa allows a fiancé(e) to enter the United States one time only.  If you leave the United States after entering on a K-1 visa, you may not re-enter on the same visa.  If you want to leave and re-enter the United States, you should apply with  Form I-131 Application for Travel Document to the USCIS office that serves the area where you live for advance parole to return to the United States.

 
How to apply for a social security number card

To learn about applying for a social security number card, visit the website for the Social Security Administration.