01
K-1 and K-2
K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa: the citizen and the foreign fiancé(e) must intend to marry within 90 days after the fiancé(e)'s entry in K-1 status, and both must be legally free to marry. If they marry within 90 days, the spouse may file Form I-485 to apply for a green card. K-1 does not apply if they are already married, plan to marry abroad, or the foreign partner is already lawfully residing in the United States.
K-2 is for children of a K-1 beneficiary. USCIS's CSPA page explains that a K-2 generally applies for a green card based on entry in K-2 status after the K-1 parent marries the petitioner within 90 days.
Sources for this section · 3
- USCIS · Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens Official update: 2018-03-23 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) Official update: 2026-05-29 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Official update: 2025-11-14 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
02
K-3 and K-4
K-3/K-4 allow a citizen's foreign spouse and the spouse's children to enter in nonimmigrant status and wait while Form I-130 is being adjudicated. USCIS states that once Form I-130 is approved, the beneficiaries are no longer eligible for K-3/K-4; because processing times for the two petitions are also similar, the Department of State rarely issues K-3/K-4 visas.
Sources for this section · 2
- USCIS · K-3/K-4 Nonimmigrant Visas Official update: 2025-09-11 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) Official update: 2026-05-29 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
03
At What Stage Is Financial Sponsorship Required?
Form I-864 is not required when filing Form I-129F; K-category beneficiaries need to submit it only at the green card application (adjustment of status) stage.
Sources for this section · 1
- USCIS · Affidavit of Support Official update: 2026-09-04 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
04
V Visa: A Historical Pathway
The LIFE Act of 2000 established the V category to allow spouses and children of permanent residents to live and work in the United States while waiting; the conditions are that a permanent resident relative must have filed Form I-130 on or before 2000-12-21 and that they must have waited at least 3 years. This cutoff date means that the V category is not a new avenue today; most existing V holders ultimately adjust status as spouses or children of permanent residents.
Sources for this section · 1
- USCIS · Green Card for a V Nonimmigrant Official update: 2020-01-17 · Read by this site: 2026-10-10 UTC
Frequently asked questions
Does Entry in K-1 Status Mean You Have a Green Card?
No. You must marry within 90 days and then file Form I-485.
Can You Still Apply for a V Visa Now?
The V category requires an I-130 filed before 2000-12-21; it is not a new avenue.
Related category codes
Each code page shows its own review status; candidate content is not upgraded to reviewed because of this article.
Related articles
- Family-Based ImmigrationFrom Form I-130 to a green card: the full family-based processForm I-130 establishes the relationship; after that, the case proceeds to Form I-485 or consular processing according to the visa bulletin.Process and SponsorshipI-130I-485Consular Processing
- Family-Based ImmigrationMarriage-Based Conditional Residence and Removal of Conditions (I-751)Why a green card obtained when the marriage is less than two years old is “conditional,” when to file I-751, and what the card’s expiration means.Family Changes and ChildrenConditional ResidentI-751Marriage
- Family-Based ImmigrationI-864 Affidavit of Support: Who Must Submit It, Income and Assets, Joint and Substitute Sponsors, and When Obligations End125% of the poverty guidelines (100% for active-duty military personnel), with links only to official tables; divorce does not end the obligations; the current edition and the archived I-864W.Process and SponsorshipI-864Affidavit of SupportJoint Sponsorship
All official sources
- USCIS · Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. CitizensSupports: A K-1 entrant must marry within 90 days after entry, then file I-485; both parties must be legally free to marry.Official update 2018-03-23 · read 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)Supports: I-129F is used for K-1/K-3.Official update 2026-05-29 · read 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)Supports: CSPA took effect on 2002-08-06; covered populations; an immediate relative’s age is frozen on the filing date; the formula for preference categories and Final Action Dates; “sought to acquire” within 1 year; F2A converts to IR upon naturalization, and beneficiaries whose F2B classification converts to F1 may opt out of conversion.Official update 2025-11-14 · read 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · K-3/K-4 Nonimmigrant VisasSupports: K-3/K-4 are used for entry while I-130 is being adjudicated; after I-130 approval, the beneficiaries are no longer eligible for K-3/K-4, and the Department of State rarely issues these visas.Official update 2025-09-11 · read 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · Affidavit of SupportSupports: Persons subject to I-864 and exemptions (40 quarters, children automatically acquiring citizenship under INA 320, approved widow/widower I-360 petitions, approved abused-spouse or abused-child I-360 petitions, etc.); circumstances terminating obligations; divorce does not terminate obligations; joint sponsors and substitute sponsors; 125% (100% for active-duty military personnel sponsoring spouses or children); asset calculations; beginning 2026-10-01, only the 08/24/26 edition is accepted.Official update 2026-09-04 · read 2026-10-10 UTC
- USCIS · Green Card for a V NonimmigrantSupports: The LIFE Act (2000) established the V category: I-130 must have been filed on or before 2000-12-21, with a wait of at least 3 years; most V holders ultimately adjust status as spouses/children of permanent residents.Official update 2020-01-17 · read 2026-10-10 UTC