Lengthy backlogs in U.S. family immigration cases can create years of uncertainty, leaving spouses and children apart during essential stages of life. The K4 visa addresses this challenge by offering a temporary solution that allows children to remain with their parents until a permanent outcome is reached.
The K-4 visa applies to unmarried, dependent children of a K-3 visa holder. It is a non-immigrant classification that grants eligible children permission to travel to the United States, live with their K-3 parent, and continue their daily routine while the underlying immigrant case is being processed.
This article explains how families can benefit from the K-4 visa. It also outlines the visa’s eligibility criteria and the application procedure.
Why the K4 Visa Matters and Who Qualifies
Delays in family immigration can create stress and uncertainty, particularly for children who risk being separated from a parent during long processing times. The K4 visa helps reduce this disruption by allowing eligible children to travel to the United States, enroll in school, and live with their K-3 parent while consular or adjustment procedures continue.
This temporary status ensures continuity in education and daily life, which is often the greatest concern for families waiting for permanent solutions.
Eligibility for the K-4 visa is based on age, marital status, and the parent–child relationship. The child must be:
- Unmarried
- Under 21
- Legally recognized as the child of the K-3 visa holder, who is the foreign spouse of a United States citizen.
While the K4 visa grants a temporary stay, a separate immigrant petition for the child is necessary for long-term residence. If the child turns 21 or gets married, their eligibility for the K4 visa automatically ends.
K4 Visa vs K3 Visa Differences Explained
The K-3 visa is for the foreign spouse of a United States citizen. The K-4 visa is for the foreign spouse’s eligible child. The K-3 is requested by the U.S. citizen spouse through a petition, and each eligible child applies separately for K-4 classification.
The child’s future green card path depends on a properly filed immigrant petition for the child using Form I-130, Immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, in addition to the spouse’s case.
US K-4 Visa Requirements and Application Process
Applying for a K-4 visa involves meeting specific requirements and following a laid-out application process. While each consular post may provide additional instructions, the core requirements generally include:
- Proof of the qualifying parent–child relationship, with documents such as birth certificates or custody documents
- Court papers for any legal name changes
- A valid passport for the child
- Medical examination by an approved physician
- Confirmation that the child will join the K-3 parent in the United States
The K-4 visa application must be done simultaneously with the foreign parent’s K-3 application. To begin the application process, the U.S. citizen spouse must file Form I-130 (Petition for an Alien Relative) and Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) for the foreign parent to join them in the U.S.
The U.S. citizen must list the child in the Form I-129F filed for the foreign spouse, but file a separate Form I-130 for the child to enable them to apply for a Green Card. Note that for the spouse’s child to apply for a Green card, they must demonstrate an eligible step-parent/step-child relationship with the U.S. citizen. This means the child’s foreign parent must have been married to the U.S. citizen when the child was under 18 years of age.
Cost of the U.S. K-4 Visa
The cost of filing Form I-129F to obtain a K visa is $265. Applicants should also consider costs associated with medical examinations, document translations and certifications, and any service charges at the consulate.
Processing Time, Validity, and Extensions for K-4 Visa
The processing time for a K-4 visa can range from 6 to 9 months, depending on the workload of the consular post and the specifics of each case.
Once issued, the K-4 visa is a temporary status, valid for an initial 2-year period. It may be extended each time for an additional 2-year period if the family case remains pending and the K-3 parent still holds their valid status. The K-4 classification automatically ends if the visa holder turns 21, the K-3 parent’s status ends, the child marries, or the child is granted permanent residence.
Note that the application for extension of K-4 status must be submitted together with the foreign parent’s K-3 status extension application.
Rights of K-4 Visa Holders
K-4 visa holders may enroll in school without restrictions and also automatically have the right to work in the U.S. based on their status. They can travel temporarily outside of the U.S. and return without prior authorization, unless their visa will expire by their return date.
Transition from K-4 Visa to Green Card
The primary goal for most families is to achieve permanent residence. A K-4 visa holder can apply for a Green Card at any time, even while their Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative, application is pending. However, they can only be eligible for the Green Card once the I-130 immigrant petition is approved.
K-4 visa holders must apply for a Green Card based on the step-parent/step-child relationship with a U.S. citizen by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
If the application is approved, the duration of their Green Card will depend on the duration of their foreign parent’s relationship with the U.S. citizen. Children of K-3 holders who are married to a U.S. sponsor for at least two years will receive a Green Card valid for 10 years.
If the K-3 visa holder is married to the U.S. citizen for less than 2 years at the time of the Form I-485 approval, the child’s Green Card will have a conditional status and be valid for 2 years. They can apply to remove the conditional status by filing Form I‑751, Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence, 90 days before their Green Card expires.
Conclusion
Families separated by distance often need a reliable route to reunite while their U.S. immigrant petitions are still being processed. The K-4 category offers a practical option for eligible children to reside with their K-3 parent in the United States during the immigration proceedings.
It serves as a safeguard for family unity, ensuring that children can remain enrolled in school, maintain a stable home life, and be with their parents, rather than being left behind during prolonged immigration delays.
