To be classified as a fiance or fiancee, a foreign national must be the beneficiary of an approved visa petition filed by a United States citizen. Needless to say, both the United States citizen and the foreign national must be single to be eligible for this classification.

United States citizen petitioners are subject to other requirements including, but not limited to, those regarding criminal offenses. Beneficiary's criminal, immigration, and medical records will be reviewed.

There are other requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a finace visa k, such as the requirement that petitioner and K-1 beneficiary have met in person within the last two years. This requirement can be waived as a matter of discretion by immigration officers.

Children of beneficiary (step-children of the United States citizen) do not require a separate petition if they meet the definition of child set forth in the regulations and will be provided the same classification (K-2) as the beneficiary if accompanying or following to join him or her.

The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) enacted in 2000 created a "hybrid" K-3 visa category for spouses of United States citizens who seek admission while awaiting approval of their immediate relative petitions.

K-4 category is usually reserved for the alien's minor children as children are defined by pertinent federal regulations and can enter the United States if they are accompanying, or following to join, the alien. Extra care must be given to this category so complications do not arise.