This isn’t your average reality TV show! TLC’s hit franchise 90 Day Fiancé is currently in its fifth season and it’s spawned spin-offs like 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After, and 90 Day Fiancé: What Now? But for those who have yet to become hooked on the show, they are left wondering what exactly is 90 Day Fiancé about? Keep reading below to find out what all the hype is about!
What is 90 Day Fiancé about?
The show documents the love story of couples who are engaged to be married — but there’s a twist, of course. One person in the couple is American and the other person is from a foreign country, so not only are they in long distance relationships which is hard enough, but they’re also facing the obstacle of obtaining a K-1 visa in order to legally bring their significant others into the United States.
As if that wasn’t difficult enough, a lot of the couples face even more adversities. Some experience language barriers, culture shock, and clashing cultures. On top of that, many of the Americans face a ton of backlash and skepticism from their family and friends because their loved ones think that the foreigner isn’t really in love with them and are just using them so that they can gain access to America.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1visa is also known as the fiancé visa, and it allows a person from a foreign country to enter the United States under the condition that they are engaged to an American. But obtaining a K-1 visa itself is no easy feat — it’s a pretty complicated process. First, the couple has to file a 1-129F petition and they must meet in person at least two years prior to filing the paperwork, and they must document their meeting. If they don’t have proof to submit once they get further along in the K-1 visa process, they can be denied the visa.
Once the paperwork is filed, the couple will be notified if the 1-129F has been approved, if it has then they will be allowed to file for the K-1 visa using the Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application. After that, the foreigner has to be interviewed by a Consular officer in their country and if the Consular feels as if the relationship is legitimate and the couple is not trying to commit fraud in any way, they can grant the K-1 visa. Once the visa is granted, the couple has 90 days to tie the knot, and if they don’t get married within that time frame, the foreigner must return to their native country.
How does 90 Day Fiancé work?
Couples who choose to document their journeys on the TLC series can apply to star on the show, but there are a few requirements that are specific to each of the 90 Day Fiancé spin-offs. Interested couples can find more casting information here.
