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Fiancé(e) of a US citizen

Coming to the US on a K-1 visa to marry within 90 days, then getting a green card there.

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I-129F decision most likely:
in 7–11 months
if you start today

  1. USCIS decides the I-129F petition

    Most likely 7–11 months after you file

    Your US citizen fiancé(e) files Form I-129F with USCIS. I-129F processing times.

    How we worked this out

    Based on USCIS’s median time of 9.0 months for the I-129F cases (Apr–Jun 2026 data), and on how far real waits landed from the median in past quarters: about half landed in the most likely range and 8 in 10 in the wider one.

  2. NVC sends your case to the consulate

    The National Visa Center sends K-1 cases on to the consulate, usually within a few weeks. NVC wait times.

  3. K-1 interview at your consulate

    The consulate sends you instructions, and you book the interview and the medical exam. Consulate pages.

  4. Entry and wedding

    Enter the US while the visa is valid (up to 6 months) and marry within 90 days of entering.

  5. USCIS decides the I-485

    Most likely 6–12 months after you file

    For now, from our reading of the numbers: USCIS decided 46% fewer of these cases in Apr–Jun 2026 than its average over the four quarters before. Plan for the later end of the range.

    After the wedding, you file the I-485, usually with the I-765 and I-131. I-485 processing times.

    How we worked this out

    Based on USCIS’s median time of 7.0 months for I-485 (Family) cases (Apr–Jun 2026 data), and on how far real waits landed from the median in past quarters: about half landed in the most likely range and 8 in 10 in the wider one.

    • Work permit (I-765)

      Most likely 6–11 months after the step before

      Usually filed with the I-485, at no extra fee. You can work once it is approved. I-765 processing times.

      How we worked this out

      Based on USCIS’s median time of 6.4 months for I-765 (Adjustment of Status) cases (Apr–Jun 2026 data), and on how far real waits landed from the median in past quarters: about half landed in the most likely range and 8 in 10 in the wider one.

    • Travel document (I-131)

      Most likely 5–10 months after the step before

      Usually filed with the I-485. Leaving the US before it is approved can cancel your I-485, unless you hold H or L status. I-131 processing times.

      How we worked this out

      Based on USCIS’s median time of 5.8 months for I-131 (Advance Parole) cases (Apr–Jun 2026 data), and on how far real waits landed from the median in past quarters: about half landed in the most likely range and 8 in 10 in the wider one.

  6. Later: removing the conditions (I-751)

    Most likely 19–38 months after the step before

    Most K-1 couples get a green card valid for 2 years. File the I-751 in the 90 days before it expires. I-751 processing times.

    How we worked this out

    Based on USCIS’s median time of 22.6 months for the I-751 cases (Apr–Jun 2026 data), and on how far real waits landed from the median in past quarters: about half landed in the most likely range and 8 in 10 in the wider one.

Newest numbers: USCIS: Apr–Jun 2026. Your case can take longer: a request for evidence or a background check can add months.