Visas For Fiance(e)s

 I am a U.S. Citizen who wishes to bring my foreign fiancé(e) to the United States to marry me.

 INITIAL PETITION

  To establish the visa classification for an alien fiancé(e), an American citizen must file a petition with the INS office of the having jurisdiction over the place of the petitioner's residence in the United States. Such petitions may not be adjudicated abroad. The INS will forward the approved petition to the American consular office where the alien fiancé(e) will apply for his or her visa.

 APPLYING FOR THE VISA

The consular officer will notify the beneficiary when the approved petition is received and provide to the beneficiary the necessary forms and instructions to apply for a fiancé(e) visa. A fiancé(e) visa applicant is an intending immigrant and, therefore, must meet documentary requirements similar to the requirements of an immigrant visa applicant.

 OTHER INFORMATION

Both petitioner and beneficiary must be legally able and willing to enter into a valid marriage in the United States. The petitioner and beneficiary must have previously met in person within the past two years unless the Attorney General waives that requirement. As soon as the processing of a case is completed and the applicant has all necessary documents, a consular officer will interview the fiancé(e). If the consular official finds the fiancé(e) to be eligible, he or she will issue the visa which will be valid for one entry during a period of six months.

 AFTER ENTRY INTO THE U.S.

The alien fiancé(e) must apply for work authorization with the INS. The marriage must take place within 90 days of admission into the United States. Following the marriage, the alien spouse must apply to the INS to establish a record of entry for conditional permanent residence status. After two years, the alien may apply to the INS for removal of the conditional status.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Family Members
The unmarried, minor children of the fiancé(e) derive nonimmigrant visa status from the parent so long as the children are named in the petition. A separate petition is not required if the children accompany or follow the alien fiancé(e) within one year from the date of issuance of the fiancé(e) visa

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