K-2 Fiancé Child Visa in Garden Grove: Bringing Your Fiancé's Children to America
Include your future stepchildren in the K-1 fiancé visa process
Quick Answer
The K-2 visa allows unmarried children under 21 of K-1 fiancé visa holders to accompany their parent to the United States and eventually obtain green cards after the parent's marriage to the U.S. citizen.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
When bringing your fiancé to Garden Grove from abroad, you can also include their unmarried children under 21 on K-2 visas. SoCal Immigration Services helps families navigate this process with Arabic-speaking support for the Arab community.
What is the K-2 Visa?
Key points about K-2:
• K-2 is tied to the K-1 fiancé visa
• Children must be unmarried and under 21
• Children can travel with the K-1 parent or follow to join
• After marriage, K-2 children can apply for green cards
K-2 Visa Eligibility Requirements
- •Be the natural or legally adopted child of the K-1 applicant
- •Be unmarried at all times during the process
- •Be under 21 years of age at the time of visa issuance
- •Be listed on the initial I-129F petition
- •Pass medical examination and background checks
- •Not be inadmissible to the United States
Including Children on the I-129F
• List each child by name on the I-129F
• Include birth certificates for each child
• Provide passport information for each child
• Include photos meeting passport requirements
• Children not listed cannot later be added easily
It's important to include ALL children who may want to immigrate, even if they might not come immediately.
K-2 Age Requirements
| Situation | Age Rule | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| At Filing | Any age | Child can be any age when I-129F filed |
| At Visa Issuance | Under 21 | Must be under 21 when K-2 visa issued |
| Marriage Status | Unmarried | Child must remain unmarried throughout |
| If Child Turns 21 | Ages out | Cannot get K-2, may need different visa |
| Following to Join | Under 21 | Must arrive before 21st birthday |
K-2 Visa Process
- 1Include on I-129F
U.S. citizen includes all children on the fiancé petition
- 2USCIS Approval
Petition approved for K-1 applicant and K-2 children
- 3NVC Processing
National Visa Center forwards case to embassy
- 4Embassy Interviews
K-1 parent and K-2 children attend interviews
- 5Medical Exams
Each child completes required medical examination
- 6Visa Issuance
K-2 visas issued valid for single entry within 6 months
K-2 Children at the Embassy Interview
• Children under 14 may not need to attend in person (varies by embassy)
• Children 14+ typically must attend and be interviewed
• Parents should be present with minor children
• Questions focus on family relationship and intent
• Birth certificates and relationship evidence needed
• Medical exam results must be complete
After Arrival: K-2 to Green Card
• The K-1 parent must marry the U.S. citizen within 90 days
• After marriage, file I-485 for K-2 children
• K-2 children become stepchildren of the U.S. citizen
• Children's green cards are based on the step-parent relationship
• The marriage must occur before children turn 18 for proper classification
Work and School for K-2 Children
- •Attend school at any level (elementary through university)
- •Cannot work without Employment Authorization (EAD)
- •Apply for EAD when filing I-485 adjustment of status
- •Receive work authorization while green card is pending
- •Maintain K-2 status while I-485 is pending
If K-2 Child Turns 21
• If child turns 21 before visa issuance, they cannot get K-2
• CSPA (Child Status Protection Act) may help in some cases
• Alternative options include F-2A or waiting for parent to get green card
• Plan carefully if children are close to 21
• Consult with immigration professional about timing strategies
Common K-2 Visa Challenges
- •Child not included on original I-129F petition
- •Child turning 21 before visa issuance
- •Child getting married (loses eligibility)
- •Proving parent-child relationship (especially for fathers)
- •Children from different relationships
- •Custody issues with other parent
Garden Grove K-2 Visa Services
- •I-129F petition preparation including all children
- •Birth certificate translation and authentication
- •Relationship evidence documentation
- •Embassy interview preparation for families
- •I-485 adjustment of status for K-2 children
- •Arabic and English speaking staff
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Can K-2 children travel separately from the K-1 parent?
A: Yes, K-2 children can follow to join after the K-1 parent arrives, as long as they enter before their visa expires and before turning 21. However, they should arrive before the marriage to the U.S. citizen.
Q:What if I forgot to include a child on the I-129F?
A: Adding a child after the I-129F is filed is very difficult. You may need to file a new petition or the child may need to wait for a different visa category. Contact us immediately if a child was missed.
Q:Do K-2 children need separate interviews?
A: Children 14 and older typically need their own interviews. Younger children may only need to appear briefly or not at all, depending on the embassy's procedures.
Q:What happens to K-2 children if the marriage doesn't happen?
A: If the K-1 parent doesn't marry the U.S. citizen within 90 days, both the K-1 parent and K-2 children must leave the United States. Their status depends entirely on the marriage occurring.
Q:Can the other parent prevent the child from immigrating?
A: Custody and consent issues can affect K-2 visa processing. If both parents have custody rights, you may need the other parent's consent. Consult with an attorney about your specific custody situation.
Q:Do K-2 children get conditional green cards?
A: K-2 children's green cards are based on the marriage. If the marriage is less than 2 years old at the time of adjustment, they receive conditional (2-year) green cards like the K-1 parent.
Need K-2 Visa Help in Garden Grove?
Don't leave your fiancé's children behind. Let our team help you include all family members in your K-1/K-2 visa process.
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