K2 follow to join, how long can they travel to the US after visa approval?

[Rachel Jo 1]

Hi everyone! 

 

My K1 visa has been approved March 2019 so my k2 follow to join will end March2020. My question is, we are planning to have my k2's visa interview on January2020, when it gets approved, does he need to fly to the US before March2020 or does he have 6 mos before the visa expires?

 

Thank you.

[Pitaya 2,577]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#16

[Rachel Jo 1]

9 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#16

I am a little confused with that information.. Does he only needs to get the visa or does he needs to be here in the US? Thanks

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

7 minutes ago, Rachel Jo said:

I am a little confused with that information.. Does he only needs to get the visa or does he needs to be here in the US? Thanks

They need to be in the US within 12 months of your k1 visa being issued

[Pitaya 2,577]

Are My Children Required to Travel with Me?

 

Your children may travel with (accompany) you to the United States or travel later (follow-to-join). Like you, your children must travel within the validity of their K-2 visas. Separate petitions are not required if the children accompany or follow to join you within one year from the date of issuance of your K-1 visa. If they want to travel later than one year from the date your K-1 visa was issued, they will not be eligible to receive K-2 visas, and separate immigrant visa petitions will be required. If your child has a valid K-2 visa and you have already adjusted status to that of permanent resident, your child may still travel on the K-2 visa.

 

REF: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#16

 

OP:  It helps everyone that uses or is helped by the forum.

Edited November 24, 2019 by Pitaya

[Hank_ 9,174]

9 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

They need to be in the US within 12 months of your k1 visa being issued     

 

11 hours ago, Rachel Jo said:

Hi everyone! 

 

My K1 visa has been approved March 2019 so my k2 follow to join will end March2020. My question is, we are planning to have my k2's visa interview on January2020, when it gets approved, does he need to fly to the US before March2020 or does he have 6 mos before the visa expires?

 

Thank you.

The K-2 visa MUST BE ISSUED before the the ISSUED DATE of the K-1 visa.   If you plan the visa interview for January, and there are no extended issues, you should be just fine.   Once the visa is in hand the K-2 has UP TO 6 mos from the date of the medical to  enter the USA.   The expiration date for the K-2 visa will be printed on the visa ... be IN the USA before the expiration date.

[Rachel Jo 1]

29 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 

The K-2 visa MUST BE ISSUED before the the ISSUED DATE of the K-1 visa.   If you plan the visa interview for January, and there are no extended issues, you should be just fine.   Once the visa is in hand the K-2 has UP TO 6 mos from the date of the medical to  enter the USA.   The expiration date for the K-2 visa will be printed on the visa ... be IN the USA before the expiration date.

Thank you so much! This is exactly how I understood the process. I just wanted to confirm that information. I appreciate it.

[NikLR 13,227]

34 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 

The K-2 visa MUST BE ISSUED before the the ISSUED DATE of the K-1 visa.   If you plan the visa interview for January, and there are no extended issues, you should be just fine.   Once the visa is in hand the K-2 has UP TO 6 mos from the date of the medical to  enter the USA.   The expiration date for the K-2 visa will be printed on the visa ... be IN the USA before the expiration date.

Thats not what was quoted.  The NVC website specifically says "travel."

But you are correct that the k2 will have an expiration date and needs to be used before then. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

13 hours ago, Rachel Jo said:

Hi everyone! 

 

My K1 visa has been approved March 2019 so my k2 follow to join will end March2020. My question is, we are planning to have my k2's visa interview on January2020, when it gets approved, does he need to fly to the US before March2020 or does he have 6 mos before the visa expires?

 

Thank you.

Others have answered your question but I wanted to add a few things you should be aware of when you are making a decision to a child to follow. 

 

For their interview everything is the same for the K-2 as with the K-1, except age related requirements.  

 

With "to follow" you do nothing with their application now, no medical, no visa fee, no NOTHING.  Then when you are ready to apply for their visa you complete everything.  ( OK, you could pay the visa fee (that is good for 1 year) as they must have their visa issued within a year of your visa being issued; which means start the process a couple months before that date

 

You do not need to bring them during your interview as you are not applying for their visas at that time.

 

If your children are under 14 and they adjust their status when a Mom does, the cost is only $635 instead of the full price. So bringing to the US when Mom travels will save you money if that is a concern of yours.

[Rachel Jo 1]

12 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Others have answered your question but I wanted to add a few things you should be aware of when you are making a decision to a child to follow. 

 

For their interview everything is the same for the K-2 as with the K-1, except age related requirements.  

 

With "to follow" you do nothing with their application now, no medical, no visa fee, no NOTHING.  Then when you are ready to apply for their visa you complete everything.  ( OK, you could pay the visa fee (that is good for 1 year) as they must have their visa issued within a year of your visa being issued; which means start the process a couple months before that date

 

You do not need to bring them during your interview as you are not applying for their visas at that time.

 

If your children are under 14 and they adjust their status when a Mom does, the cost is only $635 instead of the full price. So bringing to the US when Mom travels will save you money if that is a concern of yours.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. That is why I planned the interview and medical 2 months Ahead... my k2 is 8 yo, I already figured out how much it would cost me and I've decided to take care of his AOS a little later when he gets here. I've done most of it, my only concern now is when should my k2 come here. I don't want to take chances but consulting a lawyer would cost me much that's why I'm asking around if anyone has done it.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

3 minutes ago, Rachel Jo said:

Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. That is why I planned the interview and medical 2 months Ahead... my k2 is 8 yo, I already figured out how much it would cost me and I've decided to take care of his AOS a little later when he gets here. I've done most of it, my only concern now is when should my k2 come here. I don't want to take chances but consulting a lawyer would cost me much that's why I'm asking around if anyone has done it.

You have been provided a very good answer so I can only image you know what steps you are going to take moving forward. I wish you the best.

[Hank_ 9,174]

3 hours ago, NikLR said:

Thats not what was quoted.  The NVC website specifically says "travel."

But you are correct that the k2 will have an expiration date and needs to be used before then. 

It isn't an NVC process, it is DOS

 

" Minor children identified on the approved I-129F petition may follow to join their petitioned parent. However, such follow-to-join K2 visas can only be issued within one year from the time the parent was issued a K1 visa. After one (1) year, they no longer derive immigration benefits from the I-129F petition and you or your spouse must file an immediate relative or second preference petition for them to qualify again. "

[NikLR 13,227]

NVC is part of DOS Hank... you know this.  But correctly I should have said the DOS website. 

 

13 hours ago, Pitaya said:

Are My Children Required to Travel with Me?

 

Your children may travel with (accompany) you to the United States or travel later (follow-to-join). Like you, your children must travel within the validity of their K-2 visas. Separate petitions are not required if the children accompany or follow to join you within one year from the date of issuance of your K-1 visa. If they want to travel later than one year from the date your K-1 visa was issued, they will not be eligible to receive K-2 visas, and separate immigrant visa petitions will be required. If your child has a valid K-2 visa and you have already adjusted status to that of permanent resident, your child may still travel on the K-2 visa.

 

REF: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#16

 

 

See red... 

[NikLR 13,227]

IMO it's possible that the K2 will be issued but with an expiration date of 1 year after K1 issue date.  But I'm not positive and it's possible it will have the proper visa expiration.