K-3 Marriage Visas

K-3 visas are nonimmigrant visas designed for spouses of U.S. citizens, allowing them to enter the U.S. while they wait for their green card application to be processed. After entering the country with a K-3 visa, the visa holder can begin the immigration process to apply for permanent residency through adjustment of status. This provides a quicker path for spouses to reunite, avoiding prolonged separations while waiting for approval abroad. Similarly, for those engaged to U.S. citizens, the K-1 Fiancé Visa allows the foreign fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. and marry their U.S. citizen partner. After the marriage, the K-1 visa holder can also apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. Whether applying for a K-3 or K-1 Fiancé Visa, a critical part of the process is the consular interview. During this interview, applicants must provide accurate information to verify the validity of their relationship and demonstrate they meet the visa requirements. In both cases, if the visa applicant has children under 21 who qualify as dependents, they may apply for a dependent visa to accompany their parent to the U.S. The dependent visa process must be handled with care to ensure that the children’s documentation is complete and aligned with the parent’s application. This ensures that the family can remain together while navigating the U.S. immigration system. The Los Angeles marriage visa attorney at Hanlon Law Group, P.C. is proficient in managing the K-3 visa process, elucidating the requirements, and guiding through the application stages. For a personalized discussion about your situation and options, contact us at (800) 976-5675 or email our firm. We offer free and confidential initial consultations.

Eligibility Criteria for K-3 Marriage Visas

To be eligible for a K-3 spouse visa, an individual must be married to a U.S. citizen and should have a pending Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). The U.S. citizen spouse must complete and file Form I-130.

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Procedure for K-3 Marriage Visa Application

The application for K-3 spouse visas begins with two distinct USCIS forms:

1. Form I-130 – Upon receipt, USCIS will issue Form I-797, Notice of Action, confirming the form’s reception.
2. Form I-129, Petition for Alien Fiancé – List any children the foreign spouse intends to bring to the U.S. on this form. These children can enter the U.S. with K-4 visas, which have a separate application procedure.

After form submission, various outcomes are possible based on your case specifics. Some include USCIS:

• Requesting supplementary documentation
• Requiring the foreign spouse to undergo medical examinations
• Scheduling interviews
• Issuing a decision on the petition.

The Los Angeles visa attorney at Hanlon Law Group specializes in assisting clients through the K-3 visa application process. We can:

• Detail all K-3 spouse visa prerequisites, including potential medical exams
• Prepare you for the interview by gathering all essential documents
• Assist in applying for employment authorization and permanent resident status or a green card after acquiring a K-3 visa.

Additional Details on K-3 Spouse Visas

• Duration and extensions of K-3 visas – Typically, K-3 spouse visas last for two years. Extensions are available for two more years if the I-130 marriage visa petition remains pending with USCIS.
• Automatic K-3 visa expirations – Specific events can cause K-3 visas to expire automatically within 30 days. These events include:
  • Marriage dissolution (through annulment or divorce)
  • A USCIS denial of the I-130 marriage petition.

Reach Out to a Los Angeles Immigration Attorney at Hanlon Law Group, P.C.

For clear guidance on K-3 spouse visas, contact a Los Angeles immigration attorney at Hanlon Law Group, P.C. Our attorney has over two decades of experience in various immigration cases. We prioritize providing personalized, top-tier immigration services and utilize state-of-the-art case management technology for clients to easily monitor their petition’s progress. Connect with us at (800) 976-5675 or email our firm for a free, confidential initial consultation. We offer multilingual immigration services, including Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog, and Fukienese. Serving from Pasadena, we cater to clients across Los Angeles, California, and globally.