The K-3 Visa, Explained - Boundless Immigration

In this guide

• Processing Time
• K-3 Visa Eligibility
• Step One: Form I-129F
• Step Two: Form DS-160 and Interview
• Step Three: Green Card Application
• Final Warning
• FAQs
• Related Information
• Marriage-based Green Card Reviews

What is a K-3 Visa?

The K-3 visa allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States with temporary legal status while waiting to obtain permanent residence (a “green card”). Practically speaking, however, the K-3 visa is almost always unnecessary compared with better alternatives. Learn more below.

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Processing Time

K3 Visa Processing Time

K-3 visa processing, on average, takes about 19 months. This is just about as long as it takes USCIS to approve the marriage green card application. Because of this lengthy processing time, most people find that it’s not worth it to apply for a K-3 visa. Unless the processing times change, the K-3 visa should probably be avoided, as it involves an unnecessary step and additional expense (including an extra $265 filing fee).

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K-3 Visa Eligibility

The K-3 visa is designed for couples who were legally married outside of the United States, and is available to spouses who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The applicant must be the legal spouse of a U.S. citizen. (The K-3 visa is not available to spouses of U.S. green card holders.)
• The applicant must currently reside in a country outside of the United States.
• The U.S. citizen spouse must have already filed a family sponsorship form (Form I-130) that is currently pending with USCIS. This Form I-130 must not have been approved yet, and there must be a receipt notice from USCIS in the meantime.
• The U.S. citizen spouse must meet certain income requirements. The adjusted gross income on their most recent tax return must be at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines in order to qualify as the financial sponsor. If they are unable to meet this requirement, a joint sponsor must file an “affidavit of support.”
• If the applicant has biological or adopted children who will also travel to the United States (on a K-4 visa), the children must be unmarried and under the age of 21.

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Step One: Form I-129F

If all of the above requirements have been met, the U.S. citizen spouse must fill out Form I-129F and file it with USCIS. The name of this form can be confusing because it is technically called “Petition for Alien Fiancé(e),” even though it can also be used by spouses of U.S. citizens.

Once the form has been completed and signed, copies of all required documents should be attached to it, including:

• The U.S. citizen spouse’s passport, certificate of naturalization, or birth certificate, as proof of citizenship.
• The applicant spouse’s passport.
• Legal marriage certificate with certified English translation.
• Proof of termination of any prior marriages (divorce decree, annulment document, or death certificate).
• I-94 arrival/departure record, if the applicant spouse has ever received one from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• One passport-style photograph of the U.S. citizen spouse and one passport-style photograph of the applicant spouse.
• Receipt notice for the Form I-130 (itself technically called the Form I-797).

Unlike the I-129F petition when used by fiancé(e)s, there is no filing fee for I-129F petitions designated for spouses.

After signing the Form I-129F and attaching all supporting documents, it’s always a good idea to make an archival copy of the packet before filing.

Typically within about 30 days from the time the Form I-129F is filed, the U.S. citizen spouse should receive a receipt notice. This indicates that the package has been received by USCIS and is being processed. Processing times will vary depending on which USCIS service center is handling the case, but the average is about 10–13 months. During that time, a Request for Evidence (RFE) may be issued, should USCIS require any more information. Once the petition is approved, the U.S. citizen spouse will receive an approval notice.

Step Two: Form DS-160 and Interview

Approximately 30 days after USCIS approves the Form I-129F, the applicant spouse will receive correspondence, usually via email, from the U.S. Embassy in their home country. This correspondence will include the date and time of the applicant spouse’s interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. It will also include a list of documents required for the interview.

The next step is to electronically file the DS-160 visa application on the Department of State’s website, which includes uploading a passport-style photograph. Once the DS-160 has been filed electronically, the confirmation page should be printed and taken to the interview, along with the following documents:

• Legal marriage certificate
• Valid, unexpired passport for the applicant spouse
• Birth certificate for the applicant spouse
• Police clearance for the applicant spouse, obtained from all countries of residence of more than six months since the age of 16
• Sealed medical exam for the applicant spouse (obtained through a physician abroad, authorized by the Department of State)
• Sponsor’s affidavit of support (Form I-134)
• Sponsoring spouse’s most recent tax returns
• Proof of relationship (for example, a copy of the pending Form I-130 package originally filed with USCIS). It’s generally a good idea to also bring things such as wedding photographs or any other proof that the marriage is valid.
• Two passport-style photographs of the applicant spouse.

The State Department’s visa filing fee is currently $265, usually paid at the interview. It’s important to review specific instructions regarding time and place of payment, included in the embassy’s correspondence, which may vary depending the applicant’s home country.

The interview is usually scheduled about 4–6 weeks from the date of the correspondence from the embassy. The applicant should receive a decision the same day or shortly thereafter. If the consular officer needs additional evidence, they will request for it to be submitted directly to the U.S. consulate. Upon approval of the K-3 visa, the spouse may then travel to the United States.

Step Three: Green Card Application

The final step of this process is to travel to the United States on the approved K-3 visa. Although K-3 visa holders may apply for employment authorization upon arrival to the United States, they are not eligible to work until they receive approval of the work permit application, which typically takes about four months.

For this reason, it’s generally better to simply file for employment authorization and a travel permit along with the green card application, which can be submitted upon arrival to the United States. This application, Form I-485 (technically called an “Adjustment of Status” application) is filed with USCIS based on a pending or approved Form I-130.

Final Warning

Although the K-3 visa is available to spouses of U.S. citizens living abroad, it is usually not the best option and should generally be avoided. Because of the lengthy processing times, applying for a K-3 visa usually ends up being an unnecessary step with the additional expense (including the extra $265 filing fee).

If a couple is already married with a pending Form I-130, they are almost always better off going directly through the green card process through “consular processing,” which will end up taking about the same amount of time as the K-3 visa process.

Once the applicant’s spouse arrives in the United States with an approved green card, they will be able to work immediately as a permanent resident, without needing to file any additional applications. For more information on marriage-based green cards, click here.

It is also important to note that K-3 visas (Nonimmigrant Visa for a Spouse) are no longer being processed in Canada. Therefore, for couples where one partner is of Canadian nationality, the only two U.S. immigration options generally available are the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa (for unmarried couples) and the CR-1/IR-1 Spousal visa (for couples who are already married).

If you start applying for a K-3 visa, it will likely be converted to a CR-1 Spousal Visa by the government. For just $649, Boundless can help you put together all the required documents and help you submit them, with lawyer support! Learn more.

FAQs

What is a K-3 visa?

A K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for spouses of U.S. citizens which allows the foreign spouse to enter and live in the United States while waiting for their immigrant visa petition (Form I-130) to be approved. This visa helps keep families together, allowing the foreign spouse to remain in the U.S. with their spouse while the immigrant visa petition is being processed.

Who is eligible to apply for a K-3 visa?

To be eligible for a K-3 visa, the U.S citizen must have filed an immigrant visa petition (Form I-130) on behalf of their foreign spouse and the petition must have been approved by USCIS. The foreign spouse must also meet all other requirements for admission to the U.S.

How do I apply for a K-3 visa?

To apply for a K-3 visa, the U.S citizen spouse must file Form I-129F (“Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)”) with USCIS, along with all required documents and evidence to prove their relationship. The alien spouse should also submit Forms DS-156 and DS-157 and other supporting documents. The foreign spouse must also attend a medical examination before applying for the visa.

How long is a K-3 visa valid for?

A K-3 visa is valid for two years from the date of issuance.

Can I extend my K-3 visa?

The foreign spouse may apply to extend the visa, but there is no guarantee that their extension will be approved by USCIS.

What are the benefits of a K-3 visa?

The main benefit of a K-3 visa is that it allows the alien spouse to enter and remain in the U.S with their spouse while waiting for approval of their immigrant visa petition. However, this visa is rarely issued, and it is almost always better for a couple to apply for a marriage green card using consular processing.

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Related Information

Marriage Green Cards How Is a Fiancé Visa Different from a Marriage-Based Green Card? Other Green Cards Immigration Forms and Fees The K-1 Visa, Explained U.S. Immigration Forms

Marriage-based Green Card Reviews

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