What is a K-1/K-2 Visa?

K-1 Visa

The purpose of the K-1 visa is to allow the alien fiancé/fiancée who lives outside the U.S. to travel to the U.S. to marry the citizen fiancé/fiancée. This is classified as a non-immigrant visa category, meaning that the visa is granted based on the premise that the holder will come to the United States on a temporary basis to complete a specific purpose, in this case, to marry the sponsoring U.S. citizen. If the K-1 visa holder marries the U.S. citizen within 90 days, the K-1 holder may apply for an adjustment of status in the U.S. and become a permanent resident upon approval of the adjustment of status.

K-2 Visa

A K-2 visa is for unmarried children (less than 21 years of age) of an alien fiancé/fiancée (K-1 applicant) to come over to the United States. The purpose of this visa is to allow the child of the K-1 holder to live in the United States to await the marriage of the K-1 parent to the U.S. citizen. Once the K-1 parent marries the U.S. citizen petitioner, the K-2 holder can also apply for an adjustment of status. In order to apply for an adjustment of status, the K-2 holder must be an unmarried child of the K-1 holder less than 21 years of age.