If you’re a U.S. citizen planning to marry a non-U.S. citizen, you can bring your fiancé(e)’s children with them to the United States using the K-2 visa. This visa is linked to the K-1 fiancé(e) visa and lets the children join their parents in the U.S. before the marriage happens. To qualify, the children must be unmarried and under 21 when they enter the U.S.
K-2 Visa Timeline
When applying for a K-1 visa for your fiancé(e), you’ll also need to file for your children’s K-2 visas. The U.S. citizen sponsor only needs to submit one Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)), which covers both the fiancé(e) and their children.
The processing time for Form I-129F is around 7 months. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the time from approval to the interview date, which can vary depending on your country of origin.
K-2 Visa Costs
Here’s a breakdown of the fees for the K-2 visa process:
- I-129F Filing Fee: $675 (only one fee is required)
- Medical Exam: Varies by location, but usually around $200 per applicant
- Visa Application Fee: $265 per applicant
- Incidental Expenses: Varies (translation fees, travel, photocopying, etc.)
For example, if the non-U.S. citizen fiancé(e) has 2 children, the total cost (excluding incidental fees) would be around $1,940, assuming an average medical exam fee of $200.
Note: These fees don’t include additional costs like document translations or obtaining required documents such as birth certificates. Boundless will help guide you through these steps.
K-2 Visa Eligibility
To apply for a K-2 visa, the child must meet these basic requirements:
- Be unmarried and under the age of 21 when entering the U.S.
- The fiancé(e) (parent) must meet K-1 visa eligibility criteria, which include:
- The U.S. citizen sponsor must be a U.S. citizen.
- Both the sponsor and fiancé(e) must intend to marry within 90 days of the non-U.S. citizen’s arrival in the U.S.
- All previous marriages of both parties must be legally ended.
- The couple must have met in person at least once within the last 2 years.
If your child meets these requirements, they can apply for a K-2 visa along with the K-1 fiancé(e) visa.
Required Documents
To successfully apply for a K-2 visa, you’ll need to bring the following documents to your visa interview:
- Confirmation page of Form DS-160 (Visa Application)
- Medical exam results
- Two 2×2 passport-style photos
- Police certificates (for applicants over 16) from countries where they’ve lived for over 6 months since their 16th birthday
- Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay)
- Birth certificate
- Divorce or death certificates (for the fiancé(e), if applicable)
- Proof of financial support
- Evidence of a real relationship between the fiancé(e)s
- Money to pay all fees
Follow the U.S. Department of State’s photo guidelines, and check out our article on gathering documents for more help.
How to Apply for a K-2 Visa
The process to get a K-2 visa involves these 4 key steps:
File the Initial Petition (Form I-129F)
The U.S. citizen sponsor submits Form I-129F, which includes the names of the fiancé(e) and children. The USCIS will review the documents to verify eligibility, and if needed, they may request additional information.
Submit Visa Application and Attend the Interview
Once the petition is approved, USCIS sends it to the embassy or consulate. The applicant will then receive interview instructions. Before the interview, medical exams must be completed for all K-visa applicants (including children). Each applicant also needs to submit Form DS-160. At the interview, all K-visa applicants (including children) must bring the required documents.
Enter the United States
After approval, the U.S. embassy will send the visa and a sealed packet of documents to the beneficiary. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry will inspect the documents. It’s important to note that while a visa grants permission to enter, it doesn’t guarantee entry; the CBP officer has the final say.
Get Married and Adjust Status
After entering the U.S., the couple must marry within 90 days. Once married, the K-visa holders, including K-2 children, can apply for Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) using Form I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status). The children must still be unmarried when applying.
FAQs
What happens if the non-U.S. citizen fiancé(e) doesn’t leave the U.S.?
If the fiancé(e) overstays their visa, they could face deportation, which can negatively affect future immigration applications.
Can my K-2 children apply for work authorization?
Yes. K-2 children can apply for work authorization by submitting Form I-765. If approved, they can work during the 90 days their K-2 visa is valid. However, they can’t renew their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Alternatively, they can apply for work authorization when applying for permanent residency.
Can K-2 children travel to the U.S. before their K-1 parents?
No. The K-2 children must either travel with the K-1 parent or at a later date.
Ready to apply?
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