What Is a 'Fiance (Fiancee)'?

A fiance (fiancee) is a person who is engaged or contracted to be married. The marriage must be legally possible according to laws of the state in the United States where the marriage will take place.
In general, the two people must have met in person within the past two years unless:
- It would violate strict and long-established customs of your or your fiance (fiancee)'s foreign culture or social practice to meet before marriage; or
- It is established that the requirement to personally meet your fiance (fiancee) would result in extreme hardship to you.
Sometimes the USCIS considers a person a "fiance (fiancee)" even though a marriage contract has been concluded. In such cases, the American citizen petitioner and his/her spouse have not met, and they have not consummated the marriage.