follow to join Follow to Join

[wiltonh3 1]

We have gotten approval of the I-129F. We are getting ready to set up for the interview. My fiancé has 2 children. One will travel with her, and one will follow to join. I am not sure of the process. I think I understand we need to fill out a DS-160 for her and the child that will come with her, and set the appointment for both together. As far as the child following to join, do we fill out a DS-160 now and indicate he will follow? Or is there some place on the DS-160 to say she has a child that will be filling out a DS-160 later? Or do we fill out a 160 for all three then indicate the follow to join at the appointment part of the process. She will be more lost than I so I am trying to make sure I have a handle on everything. I looked at a sample 160 and don't see anything about it. Please clarify if you have experience. Although my attorney is not handling this part, they indicated that I would indicate the follow to join option on the 160. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Will

[geowrian 22,338]

The DS-160 for the FTJ child doesn't need to be submitted now. It can be submitted when they are ready to interview for the visa. You can tell the CO the plans for the children at the interview, if desired/asked.

The FTJ K-2 visa needs to be issued within 1 year of the K-1 visa being issued.

[Ksenia_O 696]

Don't remember for sure, but I believe there is an Info only about the kid, traveling along with you.  It will be in "Travel Companions Information" section 

So, on a parent's DS-160 a child should be listed,  on a kid's form - a parent as "other person, traveling with you".

 

The link may be helpful

https://www.***removed***/visas/ds-160-form/

 

I believe more detailed info about kids should be provided when you make an actual appointment for K1/K2 interview.  If I remember correct, there is a question there about children.  And it will specifically ask you if a child follows to join and applies for a visa with you. First - yes for both kids. The second question - yes for one, no for another kid.  

 

DS-160 for another kid should be filed when K2 is ready to join - if I'm not mistaken, the Form is saved in the System for 30 days. So no sense to fill it now if kid is not traveling with K1 at the same time. 

Edited August 15, 2018 by Ksenia_O

[RC and JE 16]

On 8/15/2018 at 9:56 AM, geowrian said:

The DS-160 for the FTJ child doesn't need to be submitted now. It can be submitted when they are ready to interview for the visa. You can tell the CO the plans for the children at the interview, if desired/asked.

The FTJ K-2 visa needs to be issued within 1 year of the K-1 visa being issued.

Hi, 

 

Thank you for the information. I have a couple more questions on this topic:

 

1) Must the income level on the affidavit of support (that will be provided at interview) include the child who is following to join? I am using a co-sponsor so I want to see if their income level would also need to include my fiance's child who will follow to join or will my income level need to meet poverty guideline at the time we request child. 

 

2) Since the child will be following to join will I need to file a separate AOS application? I read somewhere that if I file them at the same time there is a one-time fee. 

 

Thank you!

[geowrian 22,338]

5 minutes ago, RC and JE said:

1) Must the income level on the affidavit of support (that will be provided at interview) include the child who is following to join? I am using a co-sponsor so I want to see if their income level would also need to include my fiance's child who will follow to join or will my income level need to meet poverty guideline at the time we request child. 

 

2) Since the child will be following to join will I need to file a separate AOS application? I read somewhere that if I file them at the same time there is a one-time fee.

1. No, the I-134 for your fiancee does not need to include the FTJ child. They will need their own I-134 when they apply for a visa, though.
2. The child needs a separate AOS application either way. The advantage of doing them together is 1) being adjudicated usually together and 2) a lower I-485 fee (if they are under age 14).

[RC and JE 16]

25 minutes ago, geowrian said:

1. No, the I-134 for your fiancee does not need to include the FTJ child. They will need their own I-134 when they apply for a visa, though.
2. The child needs a separate AOS application either way. The advantage of doing them together is 1) being adjudicated usually together and 2) a lower I-485 fee (if they are under age 14).

Thank you. Okay, yes. It looks like I would be paying the $1,140 fee twice if I don't file them together versus the $750 for the child. Huge difference. Does the child still need an interview to follow to join if they are under the age of 5? I'm not sure how it works for a child that young. 

[geowrian 22,338]

37 minutes ago, RC and JE said:

Thank you. Okay, yes. It looks like I would be paying the $1,140 fee twice if I don't file them together versus the $750 for the child. Huge difference. Does the child still need an interview to follow to join if they are under the age of 5? I'm not sure how it works for a child that young. 

Correct...it's about half the cost if done together.

The process for interviews of childre vary from consulate to consulate. But in general each K-class and immigrant visa applicant requires an interview. Generally a legal guardian must accompany them, but I'll defer to somebody who knows your consulate for a definitive answer.