Written in TRENDS he
The permanent residence derived from marriage is very popular in the United States. However, before obtaining that precious document, there had to be a precedent with one of the ‘american visas of love’: the K-1 visa wave K-3 visa. Even today, many people believe that it is the same procedure, and although they share the premise that a foreigner marries an American citizen, their conditions and factors are different. Below, we explain in detail:
What are the differences between the K-1 visa and the K-3 visa?
Broadly speaking, the difference lies in the current status of the applicant couple. If they are already married because they celebrated the union outside the United States, they need the K-3 (or spouse visa;) but if they are only engaged and intend to celebrate the wedding in the United States, they require the K-1 visa (the famous ‘fiancé visa.’) Whatever the case, today we review the main requirements for each document. Pay attention to the details:
Requirements to process the K-1 visa (fiancé visa)
- First filter: Be engaged to a US citizen, or a permanent resident
- Renewal: Not applicable. A period of 90 days is established to celebrate the civil union, which if not finalized, may lead to the deportation of the foreign spouse.
- The application fee is $325 dollars.
- Proof must be provided that the relationship is genuine
- The American spouse must have filed the Form I-129F: Petition for Foreign Fiancé
- The spouse must also demonstrate that he or she is able to financially support his or her fiancé.
- It is essential that the couple have seen each other in person at least once, with two crucial exceptions: the culture/religion of the foreign spouse prevents them from seeing their partner before marriage, or the American spouse suffers from health problems that make them prevent travel
Requirements to process the K-3 visa (spousal visa)
- First filter: Be married to a US citizen or a permanent resident
- Renewal: Renewable in two years
- The application fee is $265.
- The American spouse must have filed the Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
- Proof must be provided that the marriage is legal, and sponsored by at least one competent civil authority.
- Both spouses must prove that all previous marriages they had (if any) have legally ended. At this point, death certificates and/or divorce certificates must be properly presented, all of them properly letterheaded and signed.