Chicago Spouse/Fiancé Visa Lawyers
Being separated from the person you love by borders and paperwork is one of the hardest parts of building a life together. If you are a U.S. citizen married or engaged to a foreign partner, the good news is that legal options exist to bring your loved one home. The challenge is that the process is complicated, deadline-driven, and full of steps that can feel overwhelming when you are trying to face them alone.
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we understand these struggles. Immigration and nationality law has been our sole focus since our firm was founded in 1974, and we have spent decades guiding foreign nationals and their families through the immigration process. Over that time, we have helped thousands of clients secure lawful status, including many couples navigating marriage-based and fiancé visa cases. We are ready to help you next.
Who We Can Help
We understand that behind every application is a real relationship and a real family waiting to be together. Our team is able to help:
- U.S. citizens petitioning for the person they love who is currently abroad.
- Partners who need to show that their relationship is genuine.
- Foreign fiancé(e)s preparing for the embassy or consulate stage of the process.
- Applicants waiting on USCIS, the National Visa Center, or the consulate and worried their case may stall.
- Couples with complicating factors such as prior marriages, limited in-person visits, immigration or criminal history, or children joining.
- Couples that have received K-1 approval and want to understand what comes next.
Whatever your case looks like, wherever you are starting from, our attorneys can guide you through your next steps.
Your Options for Bringing Your Spouse or Fiancé to the United States
The right path depends on whether you are already married or planning to marry, as well as the details of your relationship. During your consultation, our attorneys review your situation, explain the choices available, and help you prepare, file, and follow through on your application.
K-1/Fiancé Visa
The K-1 visa, often called the fiancé visa, allows the future spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the country for a 90-day period. During that time, the couple must marry. Afterward, the visa holder can apply for permanent resident status. To qualify, three basic requirements must be met:
- The couple must have met in person within the previous two-year period, unless USCIS grants a waiver.
- The couple must have a genuine, good-faith intention to marry.
- The couple must be legally able to marry under U.S. law within 90 days of the fiancé’s arrival.
K-3 Visa
If you are a U.S. citizen already married to a foreign spouse, the K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant option that can help speed the process in some cases. It can be issued in the country where the marriage took place, allowing your spouse to come live in the United States rather than waiting abroad for an immigrant visa to finish processing. Once in the U.S., the K-3 holder can eventually apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident.
IR-1 and CR-1 Immigrant Visas
Married couples may also pursue an immigrant visa for the foreign spouse. The path depends on how long you have been married:
- IR-1 (Immediate Relative) Visa applies to couples married for more than two years at the time the visa is approved.
- CR-1 (Conditional Resident) Visa applies to couples married for less than two years at approval, and requires a later filing to remove the conditions on residence.
How KB&A Supports You Through Your Marriage-Based Immigration Case
- Decades of Experience Since 1974: Our long-standing track record, helping thousands of clients over the years, reflects a deep understanding of how U.S. immigration works.
- Comprehensive Support: From fiancé and spouse visas to green cards and adjustment of status, we handle your full immigration journey under one roof.
- Clear, Personal Guidance: We walk you through each stage in plain language, so the process feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
- Compassionate, Responsive Service: We offer professional guidance and genuine care during what we know is a stressful time.
Reach Out to Our Spouse/Fiancé Visa Attorneys Today
If you are married or engaged to a foreign partner, a conversation with an experienced immigration attorney is a crucial part of planning your life together. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we have helped many couples navigate the spouse and fiancé visa process and build their lives together in the United States. We are ready to review your situation, answer your questions, and determine the best path forward for your family.
Call our office today at (312) 332-2550 to schedule your confidential case evaluation and learn how our legal team can help bring your loved one home.
FAQs About Spouse/Fiancé Visas
Both visa types allow foreign spouses of U.S. citizens to immigrate permanently, but they differ based on marriage duration. The IR-1 Visa (Immediate Relative) is for couples married for over two years at the time of visa approval, while the CR-1 Visa (Conditional Resident) applies to couples married for less than two years at the time of visa approval.
The K-1 visa process involves multiple stages with government agencies, resulting in varying processing times. Processing delays, case backlogs, incomplete or inaccurate documentation, and foreign processing times can all affect the timeline for a K-1 visa.
The K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant option that can help expedite family reunification in specific circumstances. This can be useful in situations where there are significant immigrant visa delays, the couple wants to reunite while continuing parallel processing, the foreign spouse is in a country with long consular processing times, or immediate reunification is needed due to family circumstances.
Documentation requirements are extensive and must demonstrate a genuine, ongoing relationship. Documents such as marriage certificates are crucial, as well as evidence of your relationship such as photos and ongoing communication records.
Children can often be included in family-based immigration applications under specific circumstances. Unmarried children under 21 of K-1 fiancé visa applicants are typically eligible for K-2 visas, which are processed alongside the K-1 petition. After the parent’s marriage, children on K-2 visas can apply to adjust their status.