K1 Visa Fiancée Guide to Green Card

Video Transcript – Welcome to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram. Let’s talk about the K-1 visa. Its purpose is simple: it allows the fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to come to the United States to get married within three months of their arrival.

The K-1 visa can take approximately nine months to process. However, it can take a lot longer when there is a peak in demand. With the variation in processing times throughout the year, you can begin to appreciate how tricky it can be to plan a wedding around that kind of uncertainty.
There are several reasons for the lengthy processing times.  The first is just the sheer volume: every month, U.S. Immigration processes hundreds of thousands of applications. The second reason is fraud detection and prevention. The third reason is background checks: U.S. Immigration seeks to guarantee that the foreign fiancé(e) lacks a serious criminal record or a dangerous medical condition.

Every day, thousands of people enter the U.S. through the visa waiver program without going through the same criminal or medical screenings. This is important to highlight because, with the introduction of ESTA, the U.S. has been able to run more checks before travelers even board the plane.
When we help our K-1 visa clients, we take our time to learn about them as a couple: how they met, how the relationship grew, and how they reached the point where getting married and being together permanently became an obvious next step.  This deep dive is more important than most people realize because there’s a harsh reality many aren’t aware of: Over half of all marriage-based Green Card applications turn out to be fraudulent. So, immigration officers are trained to assume every case is fake, unless the evidence submitted clearly shows otherwise.

We work with couples from all over the world, and we understand that things are done in other countries in ways that don’t always align with how the U.S. immigration system operates. In reality, U.S. Immigration often starts from a place of skepticism by assuming that anyone marrying an American might be doing so just to get a Green Card. And honestly, with so many thousands of questionable cases, that assumption is understandable. That’s why we approach every case through the same critical lens U.S. Immigration uses, so we can build a strategy that directly addresses those concerns and positions your case to succeed.

Many couples attempt to navigate the K-1 visa process on their own. After browsing the embassy website, it’s easy to think, “How hard can this be?” “It’s just a few forms, right?” Unfortunately, that’s how many get into trouble. We’ve received countless calls from clients who are understandably upset, sometimes even in tears, because something went wrong along the way. In some cases, they have explained that they followed the advice from one branch of immigration, only to have their partner turned away or sent back upon arrival because that advice was incorrect.

What truly makes a difference in immigration cases, especially K-1s, is experience with the paperwork, unexpected issues, and navigating U.S. Immigration’s many curveballs.  That’s the value we bring to the table.

Let’s talk about stress for a second. Getting married is already one of life’s biggest stressors. Add moving to a new country and, on top of that,  going through immigration – it’s a lot. That’s why it’s so important to let us handle the immigration side of things. It’s much lighter for us because we have a team of experienced caseworkers handling your case under my direct supervision. We’re here to answer all your questions, whether about your work permit, Social Security number, or any steps needed to ensure a softer landing in the U.S.

We highlight that the K-1 visa is the first phase of a two-phase process. Phase 1 gets your fiancé(e) to the U.S. under the K-1 visa in order to get married. Phase two is called “Adjustment of Status” (AOS).  This is the adjustment of your status from a K-1 visa (non-immigrant) to a Green Card (permanent residency).  For this, we file a whole new set of documents, plus include everything we submitted the first time.

Since it’s a new submission, a different immigration officer will review your case again. Many immigration firms, especially those that aren’t attorney-led, charge less because they help you with the K-1 and then leave you to figure out the AOS process on your own. They might just send you a packet of forms and wish you luck.
But AOS is crucial. It’s the phase where, if done right, you’ll receive your work permit and, eventually, your Green Card after the all-important interview. Our work doesn’t stop until that Green Card is in your hand.

If you are looking for someone to represent you, ensure you gauge how much passion and time will be put into your case, and whether or not you feel like your case is just a number.

We take every case personally because we’ve been through the immigration process ourselves. We know firsthand that it is not easy or something to take lightly. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about how we work. We believe you’ll quickly see that we’re not like other law firms.
When you’re ready, give us a call or fill out our consultation questionnaire. We’d love to connect and discover how we can help you achieve your immigration goals with as little stress as possible.

Chris M. Ingram, a U.S. Immigration Attorney, is originally from Northampton, England. He earned his BA (Hons) in Law from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, in 1994. In 1996, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDLP) at De Montfort School of Law, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Huddersfield University, UK, in 1998. After relocating to the United States, Chris was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2003 and has been a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 2004.

Having experienced the U.S. immigration process firsthand with his wife and three children, Chris M. Ingram founded his law firm with a mission to ensure that every client receives the best possible immigration experience. He recognized the need for accessible and comprehensive immigration education, leading him to develop one of the most informative online platforms available today.

The Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram website now features:

1. Over 1,000 pages of immigration resources
2. Hundreds of educational videos on visa and green card options
3. Client success stories and testimonials to inspire new applicants

We continually update and expand our content to keep visitors informed about the latest immigration policies, visa options, and legal strategies.

Chris M. Ingram strongly believes that every potential client deserves a free consultation. This allows individuals to speak personally and confidentially with an immigration specialist about their visa, work permit, or green card options. Our goal is to provide the guidance and expertise needed to help you achieve your American Dream.
We’re delighted you’ve found us, and we look forward to helping you make your immigration journey a reality. You’ve come to the right place!

All videos and content created by the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. If you require specific guidance regarding your immigration case, please contact our office for personalized legal assistance.
Additionally, all images used on our website and in our videos are licensed stock images for illustrative purposes only. They do not depict actual clients or staff members unless otherwise noted