What Happens after you come to the United States?
Getting Married
The most important thing to do upon entering the United States is to get married within 90 days. You will receive very specific instructions regarding this from USCIS. If you do not get married within 90 days, your K-1 status will cease and you will be in direct violation of the terms of your visa. As such, you will be subject to deportation.
Adjusting your Status
After getting married, the alien spouse must adjust status through an I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status). This should be done through the USCIS that serves your area.
In addition to the I-485, the U.S. citizen petitioner must also file an I-864 (Affidavit of Support).
Helping your K-2 Child Adjust Status
After the alien fiancé/fiancée and the U.S. citizen have married, then the alien fiancé/fiancée, now legal spouse, can file an additional I-485 for the K-2 child.
The K-2 child can either accompany the K-1 visa holder to the United States or can come after the K-1 visa holder within 1 year from the date that the K-1 visa holder is issued a visa. If this is the case, then a separate petition does not need to be filed.
If a K-2 child comes after a period of one year, then another, separate petition must be filed.
Applying to Work
Yes. You can work on a K-1 visa. In order to work in the United States, you must file an Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) with the USCIS office that serves your area.
Applying for a Social Security Card
Once you, the alien fiancé/fiancée, have been admitted into the United States, you can apply for a social security card. Please see the Social Security Administration website for more information.
Life as a permanent resident
If your status is adjusted and it has been less than two years since you married the U.S. citizen petitioner, then your residency will be conditional up to two years. At which point, you will need to apply to have your conditional status revoked under a Removal of Conditions.
If your status is adjusted and it has been two years or more, then you will receive not receive conditional residency, but full permanent residency instead. Your green card will be valid for a period of 10 years.
Becoming a U.S. citizen
Once you have successfully adjusted your status, you must wait three years to apply for U.S. citizenship if you stay married to your U.S. citizen spouse or wait five years if you are no longer married to your U.S. citizen spouse.
For more information on K visa, please click on the following links: