To reduce the separations immediate family members of U.S. citizens may experience while waiting abroad for an immigrant visa, the spouse of a U.S. citizen, who is waiting abroad for an immigrant visa, and the spouse’s childrenmay be granted K-3/4 nonimmigrant status. This will allow them to enter the United States as nonimmigrants, re-unite with their family here, and then apply for immigrant status while in the country. Obtaining a K-3/4 visa is not required, however. Spouses of U.S. citizens and their children may skip applying for a K visa and directly obtain their immigrant visa abroad from the Department of State.
For those who wish to take advantage of this provision, to be eligible for a K-3 nonimmigrant visa, an applicant MUST:
- Be the spouse of a U.S. citizen;
- Have a Petition for Alien Relative filed on his/her behalf by his/her U.S. citizen spouse, that is pending;
- Have a Petition for Alien Fiance(e) completed and submitted on his/her behalf by his/her U.S. citizen spouse
(Note: The USCIS must approve the Form I-129F before the beneficiary becomes eligible to apply for the K Visa from the U.S. consulate abroad.) - Submit a completed Medical Examination when he/she appears at the consulate to apply for the K-3 visa from the Department of State.
To be eligible for a K-4 nonimmigrant visa, an applicant does not need a separate Form I-130 or a Form I-129F filed on his/her behalf. The K-4 applicant MUST:
- Be an unmarried child (under 21 years of age) of a K-3 visa applicant or holder;
- Submit a completed Medical Examination when he/she appears at the consulate to apply for the K-4 visa.
Applying for Immigrant Status
The K-3/4 nonimmigrant classification does not provide immigrant status. To obtain immigrant status — once in the United States — a K-3 nonimmigrant must file for Adjustment to Permanent Residence. A K-4 nonimmigrant must have a Form I-130 filed on his/her behalf by his/her U.S. citizen parent/stepparent and must file a Form I-485. K-3/4 nonimmigrants will become lawful permanent residents and receive their Green Card when both the Form I-130 petition and their Form I-485 application have been approved.
K-3/4 non-immigrants may elect to apply for an immigrant visa instead of adjustment of status and may wait in their country until they must appear at the US consulate for their visa interview.
Employment Authorization
K-3/4 nonimmigrants may also apply for authorization to work in the United States while they wait for their immigrant status.