Clear Guidance for Couples Planning Their Next Chapter
CONNECT WITH AN ATTORNEYLife Is Better Together
Over the years, Stephen Blaker and Jacki Granet, the partners of Blaker & Granet LLP, have assisted many times with family reunification through immigration law. Stephen and Jacki love to watch couples and families come together to create a life in the United States and are honored to help with the process.
For many couples, the fiancé visa process represents the first legal step toward building that future together. While the goal is simple, the legal steps involved can be detailed and time-sensitive. Forms must be completed accurately, supporting evidence must be gathered, and applicants often must communicate with multiple government agencies throughout the process.
Stephen and Jacki guide clients through each stage with careful preparation and clear communication. From preparing the initial petition to helping couples understand interview expectations and documentation requirements, their approach focuses on thoughtful preparation so that each couple feels informed and supported throughout the process.
Ready to move forward with your K-1 visa? Call us today at 323-613-7074 to get started.
Connect With Us
A K-1 visa is a visa category for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a United States citizen.
In order to obtain a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, the U.S. citizen and the foreign national (FN) fiancé(e) must intend to marry each other within ninety (90) days of the fiancé(e) entering the U.S. Additionally, the couple must demonstrate that marriage will be valid, meaning both the U.S. citizen and the foreign national fiancé(e) have a bona fide intent to establish a life together and the marriage is not for the sole purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit. Once in the U.S. on a K-1 visa, you have 90 days to get married and file the green card application.
A K-1 visa allows your partner to be present to help with wedding planning and preparations, rather than waiting separately for a year (or longer) for a marriage visa to be processed overseas. It’s important to know that the K-1 visa process involves quite a bit of scrutiny by the U.S. to ensure the validity of the relationship, and is for serious couples who are ready to start their "happily ever after" sooner rather than later.
HEAD OF BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT IMMIGRATION AT B&G
Meet Stephen Blaker
Stephen Blaker is a founding partner of Blaker & Granet LLP and a seasoned immigration attorney who focuses on employment and family-based immigration matters. His practice centers on helping businesses, professionals, and families ntemporary work visas, employment-based green cards, and naturalization. Through his work with companies across industries such as technology, media, finance, and real estate, Stephen provides strategic guidance to organizations and individuals pursuing opportunities in the United States.
READ STEPHENS'S FULL BIO1
Consult with an attorney to determine eligibility
2
File Form I-129F petition with USCIS
3
If or when the Form I-129F petition is approved by USCIS, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing
4
The FN fiancé(e) completes Form DS-160 online, and the NVC sends the case to the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate
5
The FN fiancé(e) attends a K-1 visa stamp interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
If your immigration officer is satisfied that the relationship is genuine, they will then issue the visa in the FN fiancé(e) passport. Your FN fiancé(e) partner can travel to the U.S.once the K-1 visa has been obtained.
You have exactly 90 days from the moment they clear customs at LAX or any other port of entry to be legally married. If marriage doesn’t happen in that 90-day window, they’ll have to leave the U.S., leaving no time for procrastination.
Before beginning the K-1 fiancé visa process, it is important to understand the basic eligibility requirements set by U.S. immigration law. The government requires couples to meet several criteria to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and that both individuals are legally able and prepared to marry. While each case is unique, the following requirements generally apply to most K-1 visa petitions.
You must have a genuine intention to marry within 90 days from the date of the FN fiancé(e)’s admission to the United States with a K-1 visa.
Both parties must be legally free to marry in the U.S., and any previous marriages have been legally terminated by divorce, death, or annulment
The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (green card holders cannot file for a K-1 visa).
You must have met at least once, in person, within two years of filing the K-1 petition, with limited exceptions.
The U.S. citizen must meet financial sponsorship requirements.
How We Help
When you hire Blaker & Granet LLP, you’re gaining so much more than just help filling out forms. We provide our clients with strategy, preparation, and support from attorneys who truly understand the immigration process and how officers review these cases. We take the time to listen, to understand your relationship and timeline, and to identify any potential red flags. Every couple’s story is different. Our job is to present yours to USCIS clearly and persuasively.
We begin by carefully reviewing your immigration history, relationship timeline, and documentation to identify any potential issues before filing. Addressing concerns early can help reduce delays and strengthen your overall K-1 visa petition.
Our team prepares and reviews all required forms to help prepare an accurate, consistent, and properly supported application. Careful preparation helps present a clear and organized petition to immigration officials.
We help you gather and organize the documentation that demonstrates your relationship is genuine, such as travel records, photos, and communication history, presenting it in a clear format for immigration officers to review.
We guide you through what to expect at the embassy interview and help you prepare for common questions so you can approach this important step with confidence.
Having your K-1 visa approved is certainly a victory, but it is actually just the ending of the first chapter. Upon getting married within those 90 days, your partner doesn't automatically become a permanent resident. They’ll need to first file for an "Adjustment of Status." This is the process of applying for a Green Card while already in the U.S.
We help you file the paperwork to obtain your spouse's work permit and travel authorization while the Green Card is being processed. This allows them to begin building their lives, seeking employment, and even traveling back home to visit family without worrying about being denied re-entry into the country.
CONTACT US
If you’re ready to bring your FN fiancé(e) to the United States, let’s talk about your next steps. The sooner you start, the sooner you can move towards building a life together in the United States. At Blaker & Granet LLP, we guide couples in Los Angeles through every stage of the K-1 fiancé(e) visa process with clarity and care. We take your relationship seriously and work to present your case as strongly as possible.
Call us today at 323-613-7074 to schedule your consultation. We’re in the business of bringing people together, and we can't wait to help you begin your journey to happily-ever-after.
Frequently Asked
No, the K-1 is strictly for U.S. citizen petitioners. If you have a Green Card, you’ll need to either wait until you become a citizen or get married abroad and apply for a spousal visa.
No, you both must be legally "free to marry" before you file. This means any previous marriages must be officially ended via divorce, annulment, or death. If your divorce is still pending in court, you must wait until the final decree is signed and issued before we can begin the K-1 paperwork.
As of early 2026, the typical wait time is roughly 9 to 12 months. This includes the time it takes for USCIS to approve the petition and for the embassy abroad to schedule the final interview. While every case is unique, we work hard to ensure no time is wasted on avoidable paperwork delays.
Absolutely. Because your wedding will take place in the U.S., where same-sex marriage is legal, your partner’s home country laws won't affect the process. We have successfully helped many LGBTQ+ couples move from restrictive environments to a new life here in Los Angeles, CA.
Not right away. Your partner must get married first, then apply for a work permit (EAD) alongside their Green Card application. It usually takes 4 to 6 months for that permit to arrive. You should plan on being the sole provider for the first few months after their arrival.
The visa expires, and your fiancé must leave the country. There are no extensions for the 90-day K-1 window. If you don't tie the knot in time, your partner loses their legal status, which can cause massive complications for any future immigration attempts.
Copyright © 2024 Blaker & Granet Immigration Law
(323) 613-7074[email protected]1875 Century Park East