If your fiancé has children, the K-1 visa process does not have to stop at your fiancé, their children can come too. The K-2 visa is specifically designed for the unmarried children of K-1 visa holders, allowing them to enter the United States alongside their parent and remain here as your family builds a life together.
Here I will explain what the K-2 visa is, who qualifies, what the process looks like, how much it costs, and what happens after your fiancé and their children arrive.
What Is the K-2 Visa?
The K-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for the unmarried children under 21 of a foreign national who has been approved for a K-1 fiancé visa. It is a derivative visa, meaning it is tied directly to the parent’s K-1 application. A child cannot get a K-2 visa independently. Their parent must first qualify and be approved for a K-1.
K-2 visa holders enter the U.S. at the same time as or after their K-1 parent and are authorized to stay while the parent’s immigration case is pending.
K-2 Visa Requirements
To qualify for a K-2 visa, the child must meet the following requirements:
The parent must be approved for the K-1 visa. The K-2 is a derivative benefit. If the K-1 is denied or withdrawn, the K-2 application falls with it.
The child must be unmarried and under 21. Once a child turns 21 or gets married, they are no longer eligible for K-2 status, regardless of where their application stands.
The child must be listed on the I-129F petition. The U.S. citizen petitioner must include all intended K-2 beneficiaries on the original Form I-129F when it is filed with USCIS. Adding a child after the petition is approved is generally not possible, so it is important to include all children from the start.
The child must be admissible to the United States. This includes passing a medical examination and meeting standard visa eligibility requirements.
K-2 Visa Application Process
The K-2 process runs parallel to the K-1 process and uses many of the same steps.
Step 1: File Form I-129F and include the children
When the U.S. citizen petitioner files the K-1 petition, they list each child by name, date of birth, and country of birth. Each child will be processed as part of the same petition.
Step 2: NVC processing
Once USCIS approves the I-129F, the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC), which forwards the file to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.
Step 3: Visa interview
The K-1 applicant and each K-2 child will go through the consular process. Older children typically attend the interview in person. Younger children may accompany their parent.
Step 4: Medical examination
Each K-2 applicant must complete a medical exam with an embassy-approved physician before the visa can be issued.
Step 5: Visa issuance and entry
Once approved, each K-2 visa holder receives their visa and can travel to the U.S. K-2 holders can enter at the same time as the K-1 parent or up to the K-1’s expiration date.
K-2 Visa Processing Time
K-2 processing time mirrors the K-1 timeline since both are handled together. Total processing from the initial I-129F filing to visa issuance currently runs approximately 10 to 14 months, though this varies based on USCIS workloads, the consulate handling the case, and how quickly each step is completed. It’s important to review the USCIS current case processing times for the most up-to-date estimates.
Delays can occur if documents are missing, if a medical exam is not scheduled promptly, or if additional evidence is requested. Working with an experienced attorney helps keep things on track.
K-2 Visa Government Filing Fee Cost
The USCIS filing fee for Form I-129F is $675 and covers the K-1 parent and all K-2 children listed on the same petition, there is no separate USCIS fee per child.
At the consulate stage, each K-2 child has their own $265 nonimmigrant visa processing fee when submitting Form DS-160. So if your fiancé has two children, that is $530 in consulate fees on top of the I-129F filing fee.
Additional costs to budget for include the medical examination (fee varies by country and approved physician), document translations. The above does not include attorneys fees which is separate from government fees and costs.
What Happens After the K-2 Arrives in the U.S.?
The K-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, meaning it does not automatically give the child permanent status. After your fiancé arrives and you marry within the required 90-day window, the children can apply to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents alongside their K-1 parent.
Adjustment of Status for K-2 Holders
Each K-2 child files their own Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) after the marriage takes place. This is commonly filed at the same time as the K-1 parent’s I-485 package. The child does not need a separate I-130 petition, the K-2 status gives them a direct path to adjust.
Important conditions:
- The child must still be unmarried and under 21 at the time they file their I-485
- The parent’s K-1 adjustment of status case must be filed first or simultaneously
- If the child turns 21 before the I-485 is approved, they may still be protected under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in some circumstances, an attorney can evaluate this
Once approved, each child receives a conditional green card valid for two years (the same as the K-1 parent). After two years, the family files Form I-751 to remove conditions and receive a permanent 10-year green card.
K-2 Visa to Green Card: The Path Forward
The K-2 visa is the starting point for a permanent immigration journey. Here is the full path from K-2 to green card:
- Parent receives K-1 visa; children receive K-2 visas
- Family enters the U.S.
- U.S. citizen and fiancé marry within 90 days
- Parent and children file I-485 to adjust status
- Conditional green cards are issued (2-year validity)
- After 2 years, file I-751 to remove conditions
- Permanent green cards are issued
From there, each family member can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting the residency requirement.
Why Work With Our Attorney on a K-2 Visa Petition?
K-2 cases add complexity to an already detailed K-1 process. Failing to list a child on the original I-129F, missing a document at the consular stage, or not filing the child’s I-485 correctly can create serious delays or jeopardize the child’s ability to remain in the U.S. legally.
At ILOLA, we handle K-1 and K-2 cases together as a complete family package. Our team makes sure every child is properly included from the start and walks the family through each stage, from petition to green card.
We have a 5-star rating on Google, a 99.9% approval rate, and over 35,000 cases successfully handled. We offer free consultations and serve clients nationwide.
Ready to bring your whole family together?
Call us at (213) 375-4084 or fill out our contact form for a free case review. We will assess your situation, answer your questions, and make sure your fiancé’s children are included in your immigration plan from day one.
Common K-2 Visa Questions
Can a K-2 child come to the U.S. before the K-1 parent?
No. The K-2 is a derivative of the K-1. The child cannot enter the U.S. on a K-2 visa before their parent enters on the K-1.
What if the child turns 21 during the process?
Eligibility for K-2 status requires the child to be under 21 at the time of visa issuance. If a child ages out before the visa is issued, they are no longer eligible for the K-2. This is one reason why it is important to start the process early and move efficiently.
What if the marriage does not happen within 90 days?
If the K-1 parent does not marry within 90 days, their status expires and they must leave the U.S. The K-2 children’s status is tied to the parent’s and would expire as well.
Does the U.S. citizen have to adopt the children?
No. The K-2 visa does not require adoption. The children are immigrating as the fiancé’s children, not as the U.S. citizen’s children.
