How to Apply
Fiance(e) to Marry a U.S. Citizen
All fiancé(e)s marrying a U.S. citizen must obtain a visa (K-1) prior to arrival in the United States. Minor children included in a parent’s passport require their own application. Note: Travelers born in the United States and those with U.S. citizenship must enter and depart the United States with a U.S. passport and do not require a visa.
Personal interview: Visa applicants ages 14 through 79 must appear in person before a Consular Officer for an interview and to scan their fingerprints for biometric identification. Note: Applicants with passports from Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria: if you are 14 years or older, you must fulfill the interview requirement.
Applicants should request an interview at the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of permanent residence. For example, those applying in Kuwait City should be Kuwaiti citizens or hold legal Kuwaiti residency and be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial and/or social ties to the country.
How to Apply:
1) File a petition: Your U.S. fiancé(e) must first file a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (I-129F) along with the Biographic Information (G-325A) form in the United States with the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office serving the area of his/her permanent residence. Note: The American fiancé(e) cannot file this petition at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.
2) Schedule an interview: Once the petition is approved, it will be processed through the National Visa Center before being sent to the Embassy. The Consular Section will contact you regarding interview procedures. Inform us of any special accommodation for disability or handicap you may require. The petition is valid for four (4) months from the USCIS approval date.
3) Application requirements:
Documents: Complete the following documents in their entirety and bring them to your interview at the Embassy:
Two (2) nonimmigrant visa applications (DS-156): Include the full address where you will be staying initially while in the United States. Effective October 1, 2006, you will be required to fill out this form online, print it and bring it with you to your interview. The Consular Section will no longer accept the DS-156 completed by hand.
Nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa application (DS-156K)
I-129F petition approved by USCIS
Application for immigrant visa and alien registration (DS-230), part I only
Affidavit of support (I-134)
Birth certificate (original or certified copy): Any document not in Arabic or English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Death or divorce certificate of any previous marriages (original or certified copy): Any document not in Arabic or English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Police certificate for any country if which you have lived longer than six (6) months since the age of 16. Any document not in Arabic or English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Medical exam
Supplemental nonimmigrant visa application (DS-157): Only if you are: 1) a male applicant age 16 through 45 OR 2) an applicant (male or female) age 16 and older with a passport from Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
Note: Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be accepted.
• Photograph: Provide two (2) photos with the following requirements:
• 5cm x 5cm in size
• Taken within last six (6) months
• In color or black and white
• White background
• Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
• Wearing sunglasses is not acceptable
• Head coverings: Women: acceptable for religious reasons but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows and cheeks. Men: not acceptable.
• Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats
• Passport: A copy of your passport photo page. Your name and date of birth must be written in English by the issuing country (even for minor children included in a parent’s passport). The passport must have a minimum validity of six (6) months.
• Visa application fee: A Burgan Bank receipt, valid one (1) year from the date of issuance, for the 40.5KD (USD131) fee is required. This fee is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted.
After receiving the fiancé(e) visa, you must enter the United States through a U.S immigration port-of-entry. The Immigration Inspector will give you instructions on what to do when upon entering the United States. You must get married within 90 days of your entry into the United States.
After marriage, you must file an Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status (I-485) with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live in the United States. Your U.S. spouse must fill out an Affidavit of Support (I-864) with the USCIS for your application to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
For additional fiancé(e) visa information, please visit the Department of State website.
Click here to watch a short video about the application process.
After reviewing the frequently asked questions, email us at kuwaitiv@state.gov if you still have an inquiry regarding consular services.
Interview cancellation: We understand that circumstances may require you to cancel your interview, but kindly inform us before your appointment date. Send an email to kuwaitiv@state.gov to cancel.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE DAY OF YOUR INTERVIEW