U.S. Family Visas
Bringing your Colombian partner to the United States
You're a U.S. citizen. Your partner is Colombian. The process is real and it works — but it runs through two government agencies, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, and takes the better part of a year or more. We guide couples through every stage, in English and Spanish.
The Two Paths
Two routes to bring a Colombian to the U.S. — it comes down to one question
There are two main immigration routes for U.S. citizens who want to bring a Colombian partner to the United States. The right one depends on a single question: are you engaged or already married?
Engaged or Married?
This is the question that determines your path
Option 1
Engaged — not yet married?
The K-1 fiancé(e) visa is your path. You file a petition with USCIS, the case travels through the National Visa Center to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, your fiancé(e) interviews, and if approved, they come to the U.S. on a K-1 visa. Once here, you have 90 days to get married. After the wedding, your spouse files for Adjustment of Status to receive a green card.
See Full K-1 GuideOption 2
Already married?
The CR-1/IR-1 spousal immigrant visa is your path. You file an I-130 petition with USCIS, the NVC processes the case and collects supporting documents, and your Colombian spouse attends a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. If approved, they travel to the U.S. already as a lawful long-term resident — the green card arrives in the mail within weeks of arrival. No Adjustment of Status required.
See Full CR-1/IR-1 GuideSide-by-Side Comparison
K-1 vs. CR-1/IR-1 — the key differences
| K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa | CR-1 / IR-1 Marriage Green Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | U.S. citizen engaged to a Colombian national (not yet married) | U.S. citizen already married to a Colombian national |
| Status of the Colombian partner on entry | Temporary nonimmigrant visa (K-1) | Lawful long-term resident |
| Where do you get married? | In the United States | Before filing — in Colombia or elsewhere |
| 90-day deadline after entry? | Yes — must marry within 90 days | No |
| Green card process after arrival | Yes — file I-485 Adjustment of Status after the wedding | No — green card mailed within weeks of arrival |
| Additional AOS cost | ~$1,440 (I-485 with biometrics) | None |
| Approximate total timeline | 10–18+ months to green card | 12–24+ months to U.S. entry as long-term resident |
| USCIS petition form | I-129F | I-130 |
Who qualifies
K-1
U.S. citizen engaged to a Colombian national (not yet married)
CR-1/IR-1
U.S. citizen already married to a Colombian national
Status of the Colombian partner on entry
K-1
Temporary nonimmigrant visa (K-1)
CR-1/IR-1
Lawful long-term resident
Where do you get married?
K-1
In the United States
CR-1/IR-1
Before filing — in Colombia or elsewhere
90-day deadline after entry?
K-1
Yes — must marry within 90 days
CR-1/IR-1
No
Green card process after arrival
K-1
Yes — file I-485 Adjustment of Status after the wedding
CR-1/IR-1
No — green card mailed within weeks of arrival
Additional AOS cost
K-1
~$1,440 (I-485 with biometrics)
CR-1/IR-1
None
Approximate total timeline
K-1
10–18+ months to green card
CR-1/IR-1
12–24+ months to U.S. entry as long-term resident
USCIS petition form
K-1
I-129F
CR-1/IR-1
I-130
How It Works
How both paths generally work
Regardless of whether you take the K-1 or the CR-1/IR-1 route, the process moves through the same general stages:
Stage 1 — File a petition with USCIS
The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F (K-1) or Form I-130 (CR-1/IR-1) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition establishes the relationship and begins the immigration process.
Stage 2 — USCIS reviews and approves
USCIS reviews the petition and may issue a Request for Evidence if the file is incomplete. Upon approval, the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Stage 3 — NVC processing
The NVC performs administrative processing, collects fees and supporting documents, and prepares the case for the U.S. Embassy in Colombia.
Stage 4 — U.S. Embassy interview in Colombia
Your Colombian partner attends a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá (or in some cases, Barranquilla). The medical examination must be completed before this interview.
Stage 5 — Visa issued and entry
If approved, your partner travels to the United States. K-1 holders enter temporarily and marry within 90 days; CR-1/IR-1 holders enter as long-term residents.
Stage 6 — Green card
K-1 holders apply for Adjustment of Status after the wedding. CR-1/IR-1 holders receive their green card by mail within weeks of arrival.
Why an Attorney
Why U.S. citizens use an attorney for Colombian family immigration
U.S. Embassy procedures in Colombia differ from domestic USCIS processes — knowing what to expect is not general knowledge.
Colombian civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal background check) must be apostilled and certified-translated — not just notarized.
Building the relationship-evidence file properly before filing is one of the highest-value things an attorney does on these cases.
Complications — prior immigration violations, criminal history, prior denials, prior marriages — require legal judgment, not form completion.
We are bilingual and present throughout the Colombia side of the process — your partner is not left to navigate English-only instructions alone.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about U.S. family immigration from Colombia
What is the difference between the K-1 and CR-1/IR-1 visas?
The K-1 is for U.S. citizens who are engaged and want to get married in the United States. Your Colombian fiancé(e) enters on a temporary visa, you marry within 90 days, and then they apply for a green card. The CR-1/IR-1 is for couples who are already married. Your Colombian spouse enters the United States already as a lawful long-term resident, with the green card following by mail within weeks. The CR-1/IR-1 eliminates the post-arrival Adjustment of Status step, but you must be married before you can file.
Can a green card holder bring their Colombian fiancé(e) or spouse to the U.S.?
Yes, but under different rules and with longer timelines. The K-1 fiancé visa is only available to U.S. citizens. Green card holders who are married to a foreign national can file an I-130 petition as a preference-category immigrant, but these cases fall into visa preference categories that may involve significant waiting periods. If you are a green card holder, speak with an attorney about the realistic timeline before making plans.
How long does the process take in total?
For the K-1: typically 10 to 18 months or more from petition filing to green card approval. For the CR-1/IR-1: typically 12 to 24 months or more from petition filing to U.S. entry. Both timelines depend heavily on USCIS backlog at the time of filing.
Do we have to hire an attorney, or can we do this ourselves?
Neither the K-1 nor the CR-1/IR-1 legally requires an attorney. USCIS forms are available to the public and the Embassy interview process has published instructions. Many couples handle it without legal help. However, the cases that run into problems — weak evidence files, document errors, Embassy interview issues — typically belong to applicants who did not have legal guidance. Whether to use an attorney is a risk calculation, not a requirement.
Which U.S. Embassy in Colombia handles immigrant visas?
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá is the primary location for immigrant visa interviews in Colombia. The U.S. Consulate in Barranquilla also processes some immigrant visas. The specific location for your case is determined during the NVC stage and reflected in the interview scheduling instructions sent to your Colombian partner.
What happens if the visa is denied at the Embassy interview?
A denial at the interview does not permanently bar re-application in most cases. The consular officer will provide a reason for the denial. Common reasons include insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship, failure to meet financial support requirements, or issues with the applicant's background. Depending on the reason, the couple may be able to address the deficiency and refile. An attorney can advise on the specific situation and whether re-application is viable.
Can my Colombian partner bring their children?
Potentially, yes. Under the K-1, unmarried children under 21 of the beneficiary may qualify for K-2 visas, but they must be included in the original I-129F petition. Under the CR-1/IR-1, stepchildren (children of the Colombian spouse born before the marriage) may qualify for derivative immigrant visas. The rules for stepchildren depend on the child's age, when the marriage took place, and other factors. This is an area where attorney guidance is particularly important.
Does it matter where in Colombia the U.S. Embassy interview happens?
For most applicants, the interview will be at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. If your Colombian partner lives in the Barranquilla consular district, the interview may be scheduled there instead. The substance of the interview — what documents are required, how the process works — is the same at both locations.
Ready to start? Not sure which path applies to you?
Talk to our bilingual attorneys — free initial consultation. We'll confirm whether the K-1 or CR-1/IR-1 applies to your situation and walk you through the full process.
