K1 Visa, K3 Visa, Green Card Through Embassy and Green Card on Arrival

Video Transcript – K1 Visa, K3 Visa, Green Card Through Embassy and Green Card on Arrival.

Welcome to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram. In today’s video presentation, we’ll walk you through the four ways to obtain your U.S. Green Card by marriage. By the end of this presentation, you’ll have a clear and complete understanding of each option and how it might apply to your situation.

The four ways are K1 Visa, K3 Visa, Green Card Through Embassy, and Green Card on Arrival.  
While this video gives you a helpful overview, we’ve also included links that take you to other pages with more in-depth information. Feel free to click through whenever you’re ready for step-by-step guidance and detailed explanations.
K-1 Visa – Fiancee Visa Option:



The K-1 visa is designed for foreign fiancé(es) of U.S. citizens. It lets them come to the U.S. to get married within three months of arrival.
On average, the K-1 process takes 6–9 months but can take longer during peak filing times. The variation in processing times throughout the year can make wedding planning a bit tricky due to the 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.

K-3 Visa – U.S. Citizen Married to Alien Option:

The purpose of the K-3 visa is almost identical to that of the K-1, the only difference is that the foreign fiancé(e) is already married to the American citizen. In many cases, the U.S. citizen is also living abroad with their foreign partner. The K-3 visa enables the alien to relocate to the U.S. with their spouse as quickly as possible rather than wait in their home country until the entire green card process could be completed. 

At one point, the K-3 visa took about 6–9 months, while going directly for the Green Card could take 9–18 months, so the K-3 provided a much faster option.
Like the K-1 visa (and then transferring from the K-1 visa to the Green Card), the K-3 visa would function in the same way and the alien would have to go from their K-3 visa to the Green Card  through a process called Adjustment of Status.

Just like with the K1, the K3 requires an Adjustment of Status once you’re in the U.S. So either way, K1 or K3, you’ll go through two rounds of processing and pay two sets of government and attorney fees. It’s not the cheapest route but  serves a vital purpose as many couples find it’s well worth it, especially those in a rush to be together.

There are many immigration service providers, and even some law firms, that offer low-cost options online. While these may seem appealing at first glance, we’ve often found that significantly reduced fees can sometimes come at the expense of personalized attention or thorough case handling. When it comes to something as important and life-changing as your immigration journey, it’s essential to work with a team that prioritizes quality, care, and accuracy. That’s exactly what we offer – our fees reflect the time, expertise, and support we dedicate to guiding you from the very first consultation all the way through to Green Card approval.

Green Card through the Embassy:

If the U.S. citizen and alien are already married, the alien can go straight for the Green Card through their local U.S. Embassy. This process has gotten a lot faster recently—typically about 7–10 months. 

That’s part of the reason the K3 visa isn’t used as often anymore. In many cases, it’s faster and simpler to apply for the Green Card.
Before we recommend a path forward, we’ll look at all the current processing times and help you compare your options. The big advantage is that when you arrive in the U.S. you don’t need any additional immigration processing. 

Adjustment of Status (AOS):

Now let’s talk about Adjustment of Status, AOS for short. If you’re coming in on a K-1 or K-3 visa, you’ll go through AOS after you arrive. This process turns your non-immigrant temporary visa into a permanent resident status Green Card.

But there’s another scenario. Some people come to the U.S. legally as visitors, then decide to get married or adjust their status based on a close U.S. citizen family member (like a parent or adult child). In these cases, as long as all the paperwork is properly filed, they may be able to apply for a Green Card without leaving the U.S.

This approach, AOS without a visa, can be a good fit if:

• You’ve entered legally

• You’re marrying a U.S. citizen (or have an eligible family relationship),

• And you don’t have any serious criminal or medical issues.


That said, trying to do this on your own can be risky. If you get it wrong, you could be deported or barred from returning. Immigration doesn’t advertise this option much because they want to prevent abuse of the system by bad actors.

The AOS option is popular with our clients as it removes the long wait from the K-1 and K-3, enabling them to get to the U.S. in their own time frame, and with more certainty.
Still, there are some drawbacks to this AOS option. The biggest one? You won’t be able to travel outside the U.S. while your Green Card is processing – unless you apply for special travel permission in advance. Processing usually takes about 6–8 months. But if you leave before it’s done, you’ll likely have to start all over (and pay the fees again).

On the bright side, once your AOS application is filed, you can start working after about 90 days with an interim work permit. But you’ll need to plan for those first three months without being able to work, which can be stressful for some families.

The AOS option should not be taken lightly. One certainly could not broadcast this intention upon arrival under the Visa Waiver Program as to do so would most likely result in immediate deportation.

Conclusion:


Whatever path you choose, I truly look forward to working with you. Our mission is to provide you with the best possible guidance and support from the first consultation all the way through to the day you receive your Green Card.
As a client, you’ll also get access to our exclusive client-only web content and a secure online portal to check your case status 24/7, so you’re never left in the dark.
Let’s get started.

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