| The purpose of the K3 marriage visa is to | | | | consular fees are paid and are approximately |
| provide a temporary visa for foreign spouses to | | | | $300 to $500. These costs will differ at each |
| enter the United States and not wait for the | | | | consulate. |
| completion of their immigrant visa application | | | | A petition for children or stepchildren on the K4 |
| abroad. There are important considerations when | | | | visa is not necessary at the time of filing the K3 |
| making the decision whether or not to file for a | | | | visa however, if petitions are filed they are |
| K3 visa such as qualifications, costs and timing. | | | | $355.00 each. Children and stepchildren are |
| How do my US Citizen spouse and I qualify for | | | | required to go through consular processing and |
| the K3 Marriage Visa? | | | | the fees are $300 to $500 for each child. |
| The petitioner must be a US Citizen. | | | | How does the process work? |
| The K3 visa must be filed in the country in which | | | | Step 1 Your petition is filed in the US. Upon |
| you were married. You will not qualify if you were | | | | approval it moves to the National Visa Center. |
| married in the USA. | | | | Step 2 The National Visa Center assigns your |
| If the foreign national spouse lives in another | | | | case a consulate case number and more |
| country than the country you were married in, | | | | paperwork is filed with the National Visa Center ( |
| you must file for the K3 visa in the country in | | | | in most cases, however some consulates prefer |
| which you were married. | | | | the paperwork is filed at their consulate). |
| You must demonstrate that you entered your | | | | Step 3 The consulate sends the foreign national |
| marriage in good faith and it is a real marriage. | | | | spouse an appointment letter and a list of |
| The burden of proof is on the applicants to | | | | instructions to complete before the appointment. |
| demonstrate these facts to the consular officer. | | | | Step 4 The scheduled appointment takes place |
| What is proper evidence? | | | | and the foreign national(s) receive their visas |
| The general requirement is to show legal | | | | stamped into passports that must be valid for 6 |
| documentation of your marriage that was issued | | | | months beyond the time of the appointment. The |
| by a government entity and any other | | | | foreign nationals then have six months to enter |
| documents that demonstrate you have shared | | | | the US on their K3 and K4 (children) visas. |
| responsibilities, hobbies and or interests over a | | | | How long does it take for the processing of the |
| period of time. Visual evidence of photographs | | | | K3 visa? |
| over a period of time also constitute good | | | | The government average wait times are |
| evidence. Having children or stepchildren together | | | | approximately 8 months from the case |
| pretty much sums up the family situation but it is | | | | submission to the consular interview for the K3 |
| not enough in itself , you must still show | | | | visa. This could happen sooner rather than later, |
| established evidence of your relationship. | | | | however there is no real guarantee of this. |
| We have children. What visa do they obtain? | | | | The K3 visa unites you sooner with your loved |
| Your children come on a K4 visa. You can file for | | | | one(s). It allows you to complete your immigrant |
| a petition for your children now, or later in the | | | | visa processing in the US. The visa is good for |
| United States. However, your children should be | | | | two years and you are allowed to travel in and |
| listed on your petition, whether they join you on | | | | out of the United States on the visa while |
| the K3 visa now or join you later through regular | | | | undergoing the adjustment process for residency |
| consular processing. Children to the US citizen | | | | in the US. You can apply for work authorization |
| must be unmarried and under 21 years of age. | | | | right away once you enter the US. |
| Stepchildren to the US citizen must be unmarried | | | | If you have any other questions or concerns you |
| and under 18 years of age. If your children are | | | | would like answered by our law firm, please visit |
| nearing the age of 21, or your stepchildren are | | | | our K1K3 website and send us an email for a free |
| nearing the age of 18 you should consider filing | | | | consultation. We answer all emails with detail and |
| petitions for them right away. | | | | prompt replies. We aim to please and our firm |
| What are the filing fees and general costs | | | | charges fair legal fees so that you can afford |
| involved in filing for the K3 marriage visa? | | | | professional legal service with expertise and |
| Below, are a series of steps for the K3 process. | | | | efficiency. We dedicate ourselves and take pride |
| It starts with the petition filed in the United | | | | and pleasure in representing you to unite with |
| States. Currently, the US petition government | | | | your loved one(s) in the USA. We look forward to |
| filing fees are $355.00 | | | | hearing from you at your convenience! |
| Near the time of the consular appointment, the | | | | |