Stan Foss

I have what I think are some basic questions on the k-2 process of having
children "follow to join" their parent after the parent is married via the
K-1 visa.
1. How/When is the k-2 process started, relative to the k-1 application, if
the children are under the age of 16 and the plan is that they will "follow
to join" the parent at a later date?
2. Will the children be expected to attend the k-1 interview at the embassy?
(columbia)
3. What documents are required of the non-custodial parent if the children
are the result of a previous marriage?
4. I am assuming the children will need their own passports to travel if not
with the parent. Are children under 16 allowed to travel with non-parent
adults if the parent is unable to obtain the AO necessary to return to the
home country to accompany them?

In general, how is this usually handled if there are minor children, under
age 16 but the parent wants to exercize the "follow to join" option? Any
help is greatly appreciated.

Rete

Must be done within a year of the parent obtaining their K-1.

Sorry don't know the answer.

Permission from the other parent that the child can migrate to the US. Can be a notarized letter and/or a court ordered decreed that the custodial parent has the right to remove the child from the country.

If the airline will accept them without a parent, then yes they can travel alone. They must be aware, however, that they will be going through secondary at the US POE and it is helpful if they speak some English as the parent will not be allowed to enter to accompany them.


Many posters have done this in any variety of countries, i.e. Russia, Philipphines, etc. Someone who has done it will be on to tell you their experiences.

jeffreyhy

Stan,

I believe that as the DoS uses the terms,

- 'following to join' means that the children will apply for K2 visas at some time after the parent has applied for their K1. As Rete said, the K2 visas must be issued within 1 year of the date that the K1 was issued.

- 'accompanying' means that the children will apply for K2 visas at the same time the parent is applying for their K1, in which case all applicants will attend one interview together.

Regards, JEff

Stan Foss

    > Stan,
    > I believe that as the DoS uses the terms,
    > - 'following to join' means that the children will apply for K2 visas
    > at some time after the parent has applied for their K1. As Rete
    > said, the K2 visas must be issued within 1 year of the date that the
    > K1 was issued.
    > - 'accompanying' means that the children will apply for K2 visas at the
    > same time the parent is applying for their K1, in which case all
    > applicants will attend one interview together.
    > Regards, JEff

As a followup, If the children attend the interview together with the
parent, must they all travel together? Is it possible for the children to
recieve their K-2 but not travel with the parent immediately? What we would
like to do is for the US citizen, me, to return to travel with the children
at a later date, maybe one or two months later to allow them to finish
school if necessary.

Appreciate your time,
Stan

Rete

The K-1 and/or K-2 must be used within six months of issuance.

Rete

rmnading

"Rete" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
    > > > Stan,
    > > > I believe that as the DoS uses the terms,
    > > > - 'following to join' means that the children will apply for K2
    > > > visas
    > > > at some time after the parent has applied for their K1. As Rete
    > > > said, the K2 visas must be issued within 1 year of the date that
    > > > the
    > > > K1 was issued.
    > > > - 'accompanying' means that the children will apply for K2 visas at
    > > > the
    > > > same time the parent is applying for their K1, in which case all
    > > > applicants will attend one interview together.
    > > > Regards, JEff
    > >
    > > As a followup, If the children attend the interview together with the
    > > parent, must they all travel together? Is it possible for the
    > > children to
    > > recieve their K-2 but not travel with the parent immediately? What we
    > > would
    > > like to do is for the US citizen, me, to return to travel with the
    > > children
    > > at a later date, maybe one or two months later to allow them to finish
    > > school if necessary.
    > >
    > > Appreciate your time,
    > > Stan
    > The K-1 and/or K-2 must be used within six months of issuance.

That's true....but even if the interviews ARE held at the same time, the
visas don't necessarily have to be ISSUED at the same time.

We orginally were planning to have my fiancee's son "follow to join" later.
The Moscow Embassy told us the choice as to the actual procedure was really
up to us---- the child could come to the interview with his mother or have a
separate interview at a later date. Even if they did attend the interview
together...... we could delay the issuance of the K2 visa. It simply had to
be issued within 1 year after the K1.... and then the K2 had to be used
within 6 months after issuance.

Of course, other consulates might not be so accommodating. It would be best
for the OP to simply phone or e-mail the consulate in question and get
answers that are specific to that consulate regarding the actual procedures
they will allow for the issuance of the K2.

Rete

Great ... thanks so much for the information. Very helpful.

Rete