The K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is available to the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is waiting for approval of an I-130 immigrant petition. The K-3 visa is designed to allow the foreign national spouse to enter the United States more quickly and to join their U.S. citizen spouse while they wait for the approval of the immigrant visa.
How does the K-3 visa work?
The K-3 visa is a temporary visa that allows the foreign national spouse to enter the United States and live and work in the United States for up to two years. To obtain a K-3 visa, the U.S. citizen spouse must first file an I-130 immigrant petition on behalf of their foreign national spouse.
Once the I-130 immigrant petition is filed, the U.S. citizen spouse can file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), on behalf of their foreign national spouse. The I-129F petition is used to apply for the K-3 visa, and it is sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing.
If the I-129F petition is approved, the foreign national spouse can apply for a K-3 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Once the K-3 visa is issued, the foreign national spouse can enter the United States and live and work in the United States while they wait for the approval of their I-130 immigrant petition.
What are the benefits of a K-3 visa?
The primary benefit of a K-3 visa is that it allows the foreign national spouse to enter the United States more quickly and to live and work in the United States while they wait for the approval of their I-130 immigrant petition. This can be especially beneficial for couples who have been separated for a long period of time due to the immigration process.
Additionally, K-3 visa holders may also be eligible to apply for employment authorization and a travel document, which would allow them to travel outside of the United States and re-enter without having to apply for a new visa.
In conclusion, the K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is available to the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is waiting for approval of an I-130 immigrant petition. The K-3 visa allows the foreign national spouse to enter the United States more quickly and to live and work in the United States while they wait for the approval of their immigrant visa.