There are many different types of family-based immigration, and most of them require an established family relationship. However, those seeking to create a family relationship may also sometimes qualify for special immigration opportunities.
A K-1 visa can help someone bring the person they want to marry to the United States legally. Their fiancé can obtain a green card and become a permanent resident. Only United States citizens can apply for a K-1 visa, and the fiancé they sponsor must be able to pass all necessary medical and background screening. The following kinds of applicants potentially qualify for a K-1 or fiancé visa.
A citizen with a bona fide relationship
The most common means of qualifying for a K-1 visa involves proving to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that a citizen has a real romantic relationship with the foreign national whom they want to marry. Interviews and evidence of prior interactions can help establish a genuine relationship for the purpose of securing a K-1 visa.
Citizens from conservative cultures
Not every marriage occurs because two people marry and fall in love. In many conservative cultures, family members decide who someone should marry. Those who come from conservative cultures and have family living abroad may have a fiancé in an arranged marriage scenario. These individuals can potentially qualify for a fiancé visa even though they may never have personally met their intended partner before.
There are many rules for K-1 visas, and applicants may need help navigating this complicated visa program. Learning more about different family immigration opportunities by seeking legal guidance may benefit those with a partner who lives in another country.