K1 Visas vs. K3 Visas

K1 Visas

K1 Fiancee Visas allows the foreign fiancee of a U.S. Citizen to enter the United States with the intentions of getting married within 90 days of entering the United States. K1 Visas are generally preferred (over the Marriage Visa and k3 spousal visas) K1 fiancee visas are considered the easiest, quickest, and least expensive route.  K1 Visas can take between three to six months from the time the I-129F Petition is filed at a USCIS Service Center to the day the K1 Visa is issued. The Petition is filed with the USCIS. Once approved, the Petition is sent to the overseas embassy for further processing the fiancee interview is scheduled and the issuing of the K1 Visa.  You can begin the petition for a Fiancee Visa immediately as long as you have met in person within the last two years and meet other requirements.  With a K1 Visa once the couple is married in the United States the foreign newlywed is able to stay in the U.S. to begin life with their new spouse.

K3 Visas

K3 Visas were designed to speed up the waiting times for married couples who have a pending Marriage Visa Petition with the USCIS. The K3 Visa allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. Citizen to enter the U.S. after an overseas marriage, the I-130 Petition filing (marriage visa petition), K3 Visa Petition approval and K3 Visa issuance.  K3 Visa is available to a spouse of a U.S. Citizen and not a spouse of a U.S. Resident.  K3 Visas are more complex, slower and more expensive compared to the K1 Visa.  Before you can begin the petition for a Spousal Visa you have to be married in the foreign country where there can be residency and waiting period requirements in order to marry.  The foreign spouse must stay in their country without their spouse.  The U.S. Citizen must return home alone assuming they work or have other responsibilities.  The foreign spouse must stay in the country of marriage until they are issued K3 Visa.