U.S. citizens engaged to Colombians
American citizens who met their Colombian partner abroad or online, are engaged, and want to marry in the United States.
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa · U.S. Pathway for Colombian Partners
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa for Colombian Partners
The K-1 visa lets a U.S. citizen bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the U.S. to get married within 90 days of arrival. For U.S.–Colombian couples planning a wedding stateside, this is the standard pathway. We guide both partners through the process.
Top rated on Google1,400+ clients supported
Bilingual attorneys
- 1,400+ Clients Supported
- Bilingual Legal Team
- Fully Virtual Process
- Direct Attorney Support
Overview
Quick Answer
The K-1 visa is a U.S. nonimmigrant visa that allows the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married within 90 days of arrival. After the wedding, the foreign spouse files for adjustment of status to become a lawful long-term resident (green card holder).
For U.S.–Colombian couples, the process is initiated by the U.S. citizen partner filing Form I-129F with USCIS, then continued through the National Visa Center, and finalized through a consular interview at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. The full timeline is typically 8–14 months.
Who This Visa Is For
Is the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa for Colombian Partners right for you?
The K-1 is for engaged couples where one partner is a U.S. citizen and the other is a foreign national — in our practice, almost always a Colombian national. Common applicants:
Colombian fiancé(e)s being sponsored
Colombian nationals whose U.S. citizen partner has petitioned (or is preparing to petition) for the K-1 visa.
Couples planning a U.S. wedding within 90 days
The K-1 specifically requires marriage within 90 days of the foreign partner's arrival. Couples planning longer engagements should consider the spousal CR-1/IR-1 path instead.
If you are already legally married — even abroad — the K-1 does not apply. You would instead pursue the CR-1 or IR-1 marriage green card. Talk to us if you're unsure which applies to your situation.
Requirements
What you'll need to prepare
U.S. citizenship of the petitioner
Only U.S. citizens (not green card holders) can petition for the K-1 visa. Documentation: U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Evidence of in-person meeting within 2 years
USCIS requires proof you have met in person within the past two years prior to filing. Photos, travel itineraries, hotel records, and dated correspondence are all useful.
Genuine relationship documentation
USCIS and the consulate will assess that the relationship is bona fide. Strong evidence: timeline of the relationship, joint travel, communication records, photos together, statements from family and friends.
Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)
The U.S. citizen must demonstrate financial capacity to support the foreign partner — typically at or above 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for the relevant household size.
Colombian fiancé(e)'s civil and criminal records
Colombian birth certificate, police clearance (antecedentes penales), and certificates from any country where the Colombian partner has lived for more than 6 months after age 16.
Medical examination
The Colombian fiancé(e) must complete a medical examination by a U.S. Embassy–approved physician in Colombia before the consular interview. The exam includes specific vaccinations and screenings.
Passport and photos
Valid Colombian passport for travel, plus U.S.-format visa photos meeting State Department specifications.
We guide you through preparing and validating every required document to help avoid delays or rejections.
Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and current Colombian immigration regulations.
Most delays happen before the application is submitted
We review every apostille, translation, and supporting document with you before filing — catching the issues that cause Cancillería to send the case back.
See how the process worksThe Process
A clear path from consultation to approval
We guide you through every step. No surprises, no confusing paperwork, no figuring it out on your own.
USCIS petition (Form I-129F)
The U.S. citizen partner files Form I-129F with USCIS along with supporting evidence of the relationship and proof of U.S. citizenship. Current processing time: 6–10 months.
National Visa Center transfer
After USCIS approves the petition, it's forwarded to the National Visa Center, which assigns a case number and forwards the case to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.
Consular interview preparation
The Colombian fiancé(e) gathers required civil documents, completes the DS-160 application, schedules and attends the medical exam, and prepares for the consular interview. We coach on what to expect.
Consular interview at U.S. Embassy Bogotá
The Colombian partner attends an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy. Both partners' documentation is reviewed and the relationship is assessed. Decisions are typically issued within days.
Entry to the U.S. and marriage within 90 days
Once approved, the Colombian partner enters the U.S. on the K-1 visa. The wedding must take place within 90 days of arrival — no exceptions.
Adjustment of status to green card
After marriage, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 (adjustment of status) to become a U.S. lawful long-term resident. This typically takes another 8–12 months.
Why Work With Us
We work with U.S.–Colombian couples through the entire K-1 process
The K-1 involves U.S. federal immigration law plus Colombian civil documentation — and missing details in either system extend an already long timeline. We coordinate both sides for couples planning a U.S. wedding.
Licensed Colombian immigration attorneys with U.S.-side coordination experience
Bilingual — we work with U.S. citizen partners and Colombian fiancé(e)s simultaneously
Colombian-side document preparation: birth certificates, police clearances, apostilles, translations
Interview preparation specific to U.S. Embassy Bogotá protocols
4.9 stars on Google · Trusted by 1,400+ clients
What Our Clients Say
Real Google reviews
4.9 · Google Reviews
"I had an excellent experience working with Natalia Torres from Colombian Visa Services. Her expertise was clear from the very first consultation, and she guided me through each stage of the visa process with patience and clarity. Natalia was always helpful, responsive, and thorough, and thanks to her support my visa was issued without any complications. Truly exceptional service."
Jeffrey Sutyla
Google Review
"I had an excellent experience with Colombia Visa Services. From the very first information session, they answered questions no one else could. Their process was super organized, with clear steps for uploading documents and helpful reminders to keep things moving. After submitting my visa application, I received weekly updates — something I really appreciated. I highly recommend them if you're applying for any Colombian visa."
Roberta Glaser
Google Review
"As experienced travellers who have to procure a visa for every country we visit, we found the Colombian application the trickiest to deal with by ourselves. We hired Colombian Visa Services for peace of mind and they delivered big time — answering all of our questions, providing specific instructions, and handling the submission for us. The company was efficient, professional, and communicated brilliantly. Highly recommend."
Vaughn
Google Review
"Very efficient and attentive company to help obtain your visa in Colombia. Personal and cordial service at every step in the process. You should not try to manage your own visa process unless you possess the knowledge that these lawyers possess. Highest recommendation!"
Brian Celce
Google Review
"This was the second time in two years that I used CVS for M type visa support. Nothing has changed my original opinions of the firm — I have been completely satisfied in their services and outcomes. Natalia was knowledgeable, professional, supportive, a good communicator and, importantly, always accessible when I had questions. I highly recommend their services."
J F
Google Review
"Colombian Visa Services is a top notch agency! They always stayed in contact and walked me through the process. Very professional and knowledgeable staff."
Donta Henson
Google Review
Not sure if this visa is right for you?
Take the qualifier or speak with our bilingual legal team before you apply.
Timeline & Costs
Processing time and costs
USCIS I-129F processing
6–10 months — varies by service center workload.
Total time to U.S. entry
Typically 8–14 months from filing I-129F to the Colombian partner's arrival in the U.S.
U.S. government fees
I-129F filing: ~USD $675. Consular processing & DS-160: ~USD $265. Medical exam in Colombia: ~USD $200–$400. Adjustment of status after marriage: ~USD $1,625. Total: ~USD $2,500–$2,800 in government fees.
Wedding deadline
Marriage must occur within 90 days of the Colombian partner entering the U.S. Failure to marry within this window cancels the visa.
We handle government correspondence on your behalf
If Cancillería or Migración Colombia requests additional documentation, your attorney responds directly — no extra charges, no scrambling on your end.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start the K-1 process?
Free consultation for U.S.–Colombian engaged couples — bilingual.
