Temporary Family Visas

Temporary family visas are available to the following categories of persons so that they may enter the U.S. to await the processing of their immigrant visa cases:

• Fiance/Fiancee of a U.S. citizen (K-1)
• Child of a fiance/fiancee  of a U.S. citizen (K-2)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen (K-3)
• Child of a U.S. citizen (K-4)

The visa is "temporary" because it is actually a nonimmigrant visa, meaning it does not in and of itself lead to permanent residence. Rather, it allows the visa holder to enter the U.S. and await the processing of an I-130 immigrant petition filed by the U.S. citizen petitioner on behalf of the alien beneficiary, which provides the basis for permanent residence eligibility.