You've found the person you want to spend your life with — now let’s make sure the immigration process doesn’t stand in the way. At Brudner Law, we guide U.S. citizens through the K-1 fiancé visa process with personal attention, thorough preparation, and proven results.
The K-1 fiancé visa is the legal pathway that allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign national fiancé(e) to the United States for the purpose of marriage. Once your fiancé(e) arrives, you have 90 days to marry — after which they can apply to become a permanent resident. This process involves multiple government agencies, strict documentation standards, and real timelines that can stretch 6 to 12 months. A single mistake or missing document can delay your case or result in a denial. That’s why working with an experienced K-1 attorney in Orange County matters.
To file a K-1 petition, both you and your fiancé(e) must meet these requirements:
• You are a U.S. citizen (not a green card holder)
• You are both legally free to marry
• You have met in person within the past 2 years
• You both genuinely intend to marry within 90 days of arrival
There are limited waivers for the in-person meeting requirement in cases of extreme hardship or where meeting would violate cultural or religious customs. Our team will assess your situation and advise on the best path forward.
If your fiancé(e) has children under 21, they may be eligible to accompany them on a K-2 visa. K-2 children can enter the U.S. with the K-1 holder and, after your marriage, are eligible to apply for adjustment of status alongside their parent. It’s important to include K-2 children in the initial I-129F petition — they cannot be added later. Brudner Law carefully documents all dependents from the start to avoid complications.
Step 1 — File Form I-129F
The U.S. citizen petitioner files a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) with USCIS. This is where accuracy matters most — errors here cause delays. (Timeline: 5–7 months for USCIS processing)
Step 2 — USCIS Review & Approval
USCIS reviews the petition. Once approved, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center, which then transfers it to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. (Timeline: 2–4 weeks for NVC transfer)
Step 3 — Consular Processing
Your fiancé(e) completes DS-160 forms, undergoes a required medical exam, and attends an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. (Timeline: 1–2 months after NVC transfer)
Step 4 — Entry & Marriage
Your fiancé(e) enters the U.S. on the K-1 visa, which is valid for a single 90-day entry. You must marry within 90 days of their arrival — no extensions and no exceptions.
Step 5 — Adjustment of Status
After marriage, your spouse applies for a green card (Form I-485). Children who entered on K-2 visas file concurrently. Brudner Law handles this entire stage as well. (Timeline: 8–18 months)
Total Estimated Timeline: 12–18 months from I-129F filing to green card approval, depending on USCIS processing times, Embassy interview availability, and case complexity.
We know how much this case means to you. That’s why we treat every K-1 case with the same care and rigor we’d want for our own families.
• Personal attention — You work directly with our attorneys and dedicated legal team
• Thorough preparation — We review every document before submission to eliminate errors and RFEs
• Fast and accurate processing — We know how to move cases efficiently without cutting corners
• Proven results — We’ve helped many couples start their lives together in California
• Full-service representation — From I-129F through adjustment of status, we handle it all
Based in Irvine, we serve clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, and the greater Southern California area.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
The sooner you start, the sooner your fiancé(e) can be here. Contact Brudner Law today for a consultation and let’s build a clear, accurate plan to bring your partner home to Orange County.
Discover clarity amidst your questions, as we deliver insightful answers to streamline your immigration journey.
