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K-4 — Child of K-3 Spouse
United StatesUnited States•North America
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K-4 — Child of K-3 Spouse

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 months – 1 year

Estimated Cost

USD $890–$3,010

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Unmarried child (under 21) of a K-3 visa holder.

745-char 3-paragraph text with P3 starting 'This visa is ideal for'

United States

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Cost Breakdown

MRV fee (per K-4 applicant)USD $265
I-129F filing fee (K-3 spouse petition, K-4 listed on same form)USD $0
I-765 (Employment Authorization Document)USD $260
optional
I-539 (Extension of Stay)USD $420
optional
I-485 (Adjustment of Status)USD $1,440
optional
I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)USD $625
TotalUSD $890–$3,010

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2 years

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an unmarried child under age 21 of a K-3 visa applicant

Parent must hold or be applying for a K-3 visa based on a pending Form I-130

Must be listed on the same Form I-129F filed for the K-3 parent

No separate I-129F or I-130 required for the K-4 child

K-3 parent must enter the US before or simultaneously with K-4 children

K-4 may follow K-3 parent within one year of K-3 visa issuance

Medical examination required

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)

Completed Form DS-160 (online)

Birth certificate

Marriage certificate of K-3 parent to US citizen petitioner

Divorce or death certificates for any prior spouses

Police certificates from all countries lived in for 6+ months since age 16

Medical examination by USCIS-authorized panel physician

Two 2x2 photographs meeting US visa photo requirements

Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support) may be requested by consulate

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows child to accompany K-3 parent to the US while immigrant visa processing continues
  • Work authorized incident to status — no employer sponsorship needed
  • Explicit dual intent permitted — may pursue green card simultaneously
  • Direct path to permanent residence via I-485 adjustment of status
  • No annual numerical cap
  • No language test required
  • No separate petition or USCIS fee required for the child

Worth Knowing

  • Rarely issued in practice — USCIS I-130 approvals now outpace I-129F, making most applicants non-qualifying before consular interview
  • If I-130 is approved before K-4 visa is issued, must switch to immigrant visa process instead
  • K-3 parent must enter the US before or at the same time as K-4 children
  • Child must remain unmarried and under age 21; stay is automatically limited to day before 21st birthday
  • If conditional permanent residence granted (marriage under 2 years), must later file I-751 to remove conditions
  • Criminal history may trigger inadmissibility; waiver via I-601 may be required
  • Work authorization requires filing I-765 to obtain physical EAD card as documentary proof

Application Process

1

US citizen files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for the foreign spouse

2

US citizen files Form I-129F for the K-3 spouse, listing K-4 children on the same petition (no USCIS fee)

3

USCIS approves I-129F and forwards to National Visa Center (NVC)

4

NVC forwards case to appropriate US Embassy or Consulate

5

Each K-4 applicant completes Form DS-160 online

6

Pay $265 MRV fee per applicant

7

Schedule and attend consular interview and medical examination

8

Receive visa; do not open sealed document packet (opened only at US port of entry)

9

Note

if I-130 is approved before visa issuance, K-4 path is no longer available — must proceed via immigrant visa directly

Application Forms

I-130
Petition for Alien Relative
Fill online
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-539
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Fill online
I-864
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
Fill online
I-751
Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
Fill online
I-601
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
Fill online

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