Quick answer
The K-3 visa allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. to await approval of the Form I-130 petition [1]. To apply, the U.S. citizen must file Form I-130 and Form I-129F [1]. The visa is valid for 2 years and can be extended in 2-year increments [1]. K-3 holders are automatically authorized to work and may travel temporarily [1]. They can apply for a green card by filing Form I-485 [1].
Key facts
| Visa validity | 2 years[1] |
| Work authorization | Automatic[1] |
| Extension | 2-year increments[1] |
| Eligibility | To be eligible for a K-3 visa, you must be the spouse of a U.S. citizen and have a pending Form I-130 petition filed by your U.S. citizen spouse.[9] |
| Application Process | To apply for a K-3 visa, your U.S. citizen spouse must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS.[12] |
Am I eligible?
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen
- You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen.
- Your U.S. citizen spouse must have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on your behalf.
- You must be outside the United States when applying for the K-3 visa.
- You must intend to enter the United States to await the approval of your Form I-130 and subsequent immigrant visa processing.
Don't want to read through this yourself? Answer a few questions and see exactly which category fits your situation.
Requirements in detail
You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen who filed Form I-130 on your behalf.
Your U.S. citizen spouse must have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for you.
Your U.S. citizen spouse must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), for you to obtain a K-3 visa.
For K-4 visa, the child must be under 21 years old and unmarried.
For K-4 visa, the child must be unmarried.
You must provide evidence that you will not become a public charge while in the U.S.
Documents you'll need
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative [1]
- Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) [1]
- Valid passport with at least eight months of validity beyond the visa issuance date.
- DS-260 confirmation page.
- Police certificate from your country of residence and any country where you have lived for six months or more since age 16.
- Original marriage certificate and a photocopy.
- Original birth certificate for each applicant.
- Two color photographs taken within the last six months.
- Medical examination report from an authorized panel physician.
- Vaccination records.
- Court and prison records if you have been convicted of a crime.
- Name change certificates if you have changed your name.
- Military records if you have served in any country's military.
- Adoption papers if you are adopted.
- Stepchild documents if applicable.
- Certified English translations for all non-English documents.
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support if required.
- Evidence of relationship with the petitioner.
- Termination of marriage certificates for any prior marriages.
- GSS registration confirmation page.
- Previous passports.
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in the United States on a K-3 visa?
Yes, K-3 visa holders are authorized to work in the United States while their immigrant visa petition is pending. You may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, after being admitted to the U.S.
Can I apply for a Green Card while on a K-3 visa?
Yes, you may apply for a Green Card based on your marriage to the U.S. citizen spouse who petitioned for your K-3 status.
Can I travel outside the United States and re-enter on a K-3 visa?
Yes, you may use your K-3 visa to apply for admission to the United States when returning from temporary foreign travel. You do not need an advance parole document unless your K-3 visa will be expired when you return and you have a pending Form I-485.
Can I change to another nonimmigrant visa status while on a K-3 visa?
No, you generally cannot change your status in the United States to another nonimmigrant visa category while on a K-3 visa.
Can I extend my stay on a K-3 visa?
Yes, you may be eligible for an extension of stay if you can show that a Form I-130, Form I-485, or an immigrant visa application is still pending, or good cause why you did not file after approval of the Form I-130.
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
A child of your foreign spouse may be eligible for a K-4 visa if he or she is: - Under 21 years of age; - Unmarried; and - The child of the K-3 visa applicant you filed for
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
In order for you to create an eligible step-parent/step-child relationship, the child must have been under 18 years of age when you and your spouse married
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [3]
Your status will expire when you turn 21 years old
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
**Extension of Stay** If you have either a K-3 or K-4 visa, you may submit a [Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status](/i-539) to USCIS in the 120 days before your authorized stay
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
citizen spouse for at least 2 years when USCIS approves your Form I-485, your Green Card will be valid for ten years
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [6]
citizen spouse for less than 2 years when USCIS approves your Form I-485, you and any K-4 children will become conditional permanent residents
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
citizen spouse must file a [Form I‑751, Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence](/i-751) in the 90 days before your Green Card expires
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
#### Automatic Termination of K-3/K-4 Nonimmigrant Status If you have a K-3 visa, your authorized stay in the United States automatically terminates 30 days after any of the following events: - USCIS
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [9]
#### Legal Reference For more information, see the following: - INA 101(a)(15)(K) – Definition of K nonimmigrants - INA 214 – Admission of Nonimmigrants - INA 216 – Conditional Permanent Residence - I
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
citizens - 8 CFR 245 – Adjustment of Status to that of Person Admitted for Permanent Residence - 8 CFR 274a.12– Classes of Aliens Authorized to Accept Employment #### Related Links **More Information*
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
KEO Dararoth Basic Examination Fee: Adult: 110 USD (includes physical examination and Chest X ray) • Additional Syphilis test 15 USD • Additional Gonorrhea test 45USD Children: 90 USD for under 2 year
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [12]
MEASKETH Carine Basic Examination Fee: • Children (aged 2 to 14 years): Health check fee is US $195.00 (includes IGRA test)
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [13]
• Adults (aged 15 years and above): Health check fee ranges from US $94.00 to US $155.00 (includes Chest x-ray/STI tests) plus compulsory US $106.00 for IGRA (TB) test
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [14]
If you are 16 years of age or older, you must obtain a police certificate from all countries you have lived in using below criteria: If you… AND you… THEN submit a police certificate from… Are 16 year
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [15]
• Employment-based (E) cases only: You must submit an original job offer letter signed by the petitioning company on their company letterhead and issued 6 months prior to your interview
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [16]
Form I-864 is not required unless a relative is the petitioner or has a 5% or more ownership interest in the petitioning business
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [17]
Most administrative processing is resolved within 90 days
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [18]
Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 90 days after your interview
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [19]
Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to av
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [20]
Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [21]
birth certificate OR - A copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad OR - A copy of your naturalization certificate OR - A copy of your certificate of citizenship - If you are a Green Card holder (permane
Bringing Spouses to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents | USCIS · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [22]
K-3 visa purpose and eligibility
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [23]
K-3 visa application process
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [24]
K-3 visa validity and extension
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [25]
K-3 visa work and travel authorization
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [26]
K-3 visa green card application
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [27]
Eligibility for K-3 visa
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [28]
Filing Form I-129F
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [29]
K-3 visa allows work
Bringing Spouses to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents | USCIS · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [30]
K-3 visa application process
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [31]
K-3 visa holder can apply for green card
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [32]
K-3 visa holder may need conditional residence
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [33]
K-3 visa holder can apply for employment authorization
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [34]
K-3 visa holder can travel and re-enter
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [35]
K-3 visa holder cannot change status
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [36]
K-3 visa holder may extend stay
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [37]
K-3 visa holder must not become public charge
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [38]
K-3 visa holder must have valid passport
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [39]
K-3 visa holder must have DS-260 confirmation
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [40]
K-3 visa holder must have police certificate
[PDF] Embassy of the United States - Travel · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked
This page reflects United States's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of United States's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.