Definition of a K-1 Fiancé/Fiancée as Defined by USCIS
The following are general requirements for the K-1/K-2 visa. Aside from meeting these general requirements, there is also documentation that must be submitted by the U.S. citizen as well as the alien fiancé/fiancée and child(ren) of the alien fiancé/fiancée (if indeed he/she has any). Please be aware that there are certain exceptions regarding the K-1 and K-2 visa. For more specific information, please see the appropriate section(s).
According to the definition provided by USCIS, a fiancé/fiancée is someone “engaged or contracted to be married”. In order for an alien fiancé/fiancée to marry a U.S. citizen, marriage must be legally possible according to state specific laws.
Under this definition, two people must have met within the past two years. There are of course, some exceptions to this. One such example is that in some cultures, a man and a woman are not supposed to meet before marriage.
There are other instances when USCIS will classify someone as a fiancé/fiancée even though they have already married. In this case, the American citizen and his/her spouse must not have met in person, nor consummated the marriage.
To see more information on these two exceptions, please refer to the section on special K-1/K-2 visa scenarios.
For more information on K visa, please click on the following links: