United States•North AmericaK-2 — Child of K-1 Fiancé(e)
At a Glance
1 week – 1.5 years
Varies by processing route
USD $2,380–$2,640
Varies by filing options
3 months
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Living in United States
Overview
Unmarried child (under 21) of a K-1 fiancé(e) visa holder.
The K-2 is a US nonimmigrant visa for the unmarried children (under 21) of a K-1 fiancé(e) visa holder. The child must be named on the US citizen's Form I-129F petition and cannot travel to the US before the K-1 parent arrives.
Stay is 90 days, non-extendable; the only path to remain is filing I-485 after the K-1 parent marries the US citizen within that window. K-2 holders may apply for an EAD (category (c)(6)) but have no automatic work rights on entry. Dual intent is permitted, so adjustment of status to permanent residence is possible.
This visa is ideal for unmarried children under 21 who are relocating to the US to join a parent entering on a K-1 fiancé(e) visa.
Curious about life in the United States?
Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.
Cost Breakdown
Processing Time
| USCIS I-129F petition | 8 months – 1.1 years |
| NVC forwarding | 1–4 weeks |
| Embassy interview scheduling and visa issuance | 1–3 months |
| Total end-to-end | 10 months – 1.5 years |
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 months |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be unmarried child under age 21 of the K-1 fiancé(e)
Must be listed by name on the US citizen petitioner's Form I-129F
Must remain unmarried at time of admission to the US
Cannot travel to the US before the K-1 parent arrives
Must travel to the US within one year of the K-1 visa's issuance date
Must meet standard admissibility requirements (medical, no disqualifying criminal history)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed DS-160 application confirmation page
Valid passport (validity extending at least 6 months beyond intended US stay)
Birth certificate (to establish parentage and age)
Police certificates from all countries where child has lived 6+ months since age 16 (if applicable)
Medical examination results (sealed envelope from approved physician)
Two passport-style photos (2x2 inches)
Evidence of relationship to K-1 parent
Proof that K-1 I-129F petition listed the child by name
Financial support documentation (Form I-134 Affidavit of Support from US citizen petitioner)
Certified translations of all documents not in English
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No separate USCIS petition required — K-2 children are included on the K-1 I-129F at no extra filing fee per child
- Clear and direct pathway to permanent residence via I-485 after the K-1 parent's marriage
- No annual numerical cap or per-country quota — K-2 visas are unlimited
- Dual intent explicitly permitted by statute — consular officers cannot deny on immigrant intent grounds
- Work authorization available via EAD (Form I-765) during K-2 status and AOS pendency
- Keeps family unit together — child can travel with or follow K-1 parent within one year
Worth Knowing
- 90-day status period is an absolute hard deadline — no extensions possible
- K-2 child cannot precede the K-1 parent in entering the US
- Must travel within one year of K-1 visa issuance date; follow-to-join not available after that window
- Child must remain unmarried throughout the process including at AOS filing and adjudication
- Cannot change to other nonimmigrant status (H-1B, F-1, etc.) while in K-2 status — must depart for a different visa category
- K-2 child must file their own I-485 separately from the K-1 parent
- If K-1 parent does not marry the US citizen petitioner, K-2 child has no independent basis to remain
- Status is not renewable — only path to remain is I-485 after marriage
- Age-out risk: child must be unmarried and under 21 at time of AOS filing/adjudication; CSPA protections do not apply to K-2 the same way as immigrant visa categories
- US citizen petitioner's criminal history disclosed to foreign beneficiary under IMBRA
Application Process
US citizen petitioner files Form I-129F with USCIS, listing all K-2 children by name
USCIS reviews and approves the I-129F petition (8–13 months)
USCIS forwards approved petition to NVC, which sends the case to the US Embassy/Consulate
Embassy/consulate contacts applicants with interview appointment instructions
K-2 child (or parent on their behalf) completes DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application
K-2 child completes medical examination with an embassy-approved physician
K-2 child attends visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate
If approved, K-2 visa is affixed to the child's passport
K-2 child travels to the US with or after the K-1 parent; CBP issues I-94 (90-day K-2 status)
K-1 parent marries the US citizen petitioner within 90 days
K-2 child files Form I-485 separately to adjust status to lawful permanent resident
Application Forms
Go to application portal| I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | Fill online |
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-131 Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records | Fill online |
| I-134 Agreement to Support Beneficiary of Certain Immigration Benefits | — |
| I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in United States
Family visas in other countries
- Parent Boost Visitor Visa
New Zealand
- Join Family (Long Stay D Visa)
Ireland
- Resident Spouse Permit
Bahamas
Living in United States
Ready to see if the K-2 — Child of K-1 Fiancé(e) is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery