K-1 Fiancé Visa Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Fiancé Visas
The K-1 Visa: Bringing Your Fiancé to the United States to Marry
When a U.S. citizen and a foreign fiancé plan to build a life together in the United States, the K-1 visa is often the fastest way to do it. It allows the fiancé to enter the country so the couple can marry within 90 days, then apply for a green card. The timeline is strict and the paperwork spans two agencies and a consulate, so a small misstep can add months to an already emotional wait.
At Lozano Law Firm, fiancé visa cases are handled under the direction of Alfredo Lozano, Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Our bilingual team guides couples in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo from the first petition through the wedding and the green card that follows. Start with a free consultation.
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Gracias por el excelente trabajo y por la tranquilidad que me han dado durante este proceso. Sin duda los recomendaría a familiares y amigos que necesiten un abogado de inmigración.
How the K-1 Fiancé Visa Works
The K-1 is only for U.S. citizens, not permanent residents, and it comes with specific requirements that surprise some couples. Getting them right at the start is what keeps the case on schedule.
Who Qualifies
You qualify to petition if you are a U.S. citizen, both you and your fiancé are legally free to marry, and you intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé's arrival. In most cases you must also have met in person within the two years before filing, though a narrow waiver exists for genuine hardship or established cultural customs. We document each of these points the way consular officers expect.
Children and the K-2 Visa
Your fiancé's unmarried children under 21 can usually come along on K-2 visas, as long as they are listed on the original petition. Leaving them off the petition can separate a family, so we plan for the whole household from the beginning.
Proving a Genuine Relationship
The heart of a K-1 case is proof that the relationship is real. Photographs together, travel records, messages, and evidence of the engagement all help. Consular officers see many petitions, and a well-organized relationship record is one of the biggest factors in a smooth interview.
Financial Requirements
As the petitioner you must show you can support your fiancé, generally at 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the K-1 stage and 125 percent later at the green card stage. When your own income falls short, a joint sponsor can help, and we make sure that support is documented correctly.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
The K-1 Process and the 90-Day Rule
The case moves through several hands. We file Form I-129F with USCIS, which forwards the approved petition to the National Visa Center and then to the U.S. consulate in your fiancé's country, often Ciudad Juarez for Mexican nationals. Your fiancé attends a medical exam and a consular interview, and if approved, receives the K-1 visa.
Once your fiancé enters the United States, the clock starts. You must marry within 90 days, with no extensions, and then file for adjustment of status to obtain the green card. Missing the 90-day window creates serious problems, so we help couples plan the wedding and the follow-on green card filing together. From petition to entry commonly takes several months to a year, and we keep the case moving at every handoff.
News
Lozano Law Firm in the News
Lozano Law Firm
Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Attorney Alfredo Lozano is Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Fiancé Visa Help in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo
We handle K-1 cases for couples across South and West Texas, in English and Spanish. For couples with a fiancé in Mexico, we prepare for consular processing in Ciudad Juarez, including the medical exam and interview. After the wedding, we handle the adjustment of status here in Texas so there is no gap between the visa and the green card. Every case begins with a free consultation.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
K-1 Fiancé Visa FAQs
How long does a K-1 fiancé visa take?
Most K-1 cases take several months to about a year from filing Form I-129F to your fiancé's entry, depending on USCIS and consular processing times. Because these times change, we give you a realistic estimate for your fiancé's specific consulate and monitor each stage.
What happens if we do not marry within 90 days?
The 90-day period cannot be extended, and staying past it without marrying puts your fiancé out of status. If circumstances change, you should get legal advice immediately rather than letting the deadline pass. Planning the wedding date before your fiancé arrives is the best way to avoid this problem.
Can my fiancé work after arriving on a K-1?
Yes, but it takes a step. A K-1 holder can apply for work authorization, though many couples simply wait and file the work permit together with the green card application after the wedding, since that card usually arrives around the same time.
Should we use a K-1 visa or a marriage green card?
It depends on your situation. A K-1 brings your fiancé here to marry, while a marriage-based immigrant visa (CR-1) has you marry first and then immigrate. The CR-1 often costs less overall and delivers a green card on entry, while the K-1 can reunite couples sooner. We compare both for your circumstances.
Can a green card holder file for a fiancé?
No. The K-1 fiancé visa is available only to U.S. citizens. A permanent resident who wants to sponsor a partner generally needs to marry first and then file a family petition. We help you choose the right path based on your status.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
Contact Us
Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
Contact Our Immigration Lawyer
For A Free Case Evaluation