Can K-2 Children Attend Visa Interviews During a Government Shutdown?

K-2 children of K-1 fiancé(e) visa holders can generally attend visa interviews during a government shutdown, because U.S. consular visa services and most U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) functions are funded by fees rather than annual congressional budgets. Interviews are not automatically canceled, though families should expect possible scheduling delays or reduced hours if a shutdown persists or local staffing is tight.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, consulates tend to keep core visa operations running, while non-urgent services may slow if fee revenue dips or support staff are furloughed.

How embassies and USCIS operate during a shutdown

During a shutdown in the United States, the State Department continues visa processing at embassies and consulates as long as fee-funded resources are available. That includes visa interviews for K-2 children, who apply for K-2 visas based on a parent’s approved K-1 case.

USCIS also remains open because it is funded by application fees paid by applicants and petitioners. Families should still plan to attend scheduled interviews unless the specific post emails a change.

Embassy operations can vary by location:

• Some posts keep normal hours.
• Others may trim appointment slots or shift staff across sections.
• If fee revenue drops during an extended shutdown, some services could slow or pause.

The State Department advises applicants to follow direct guidance from the embassy or consulate handling their case and to monitor official notices. The agency’s main visas page offers status overviews and post-by-post contacts for updates and service notes. For official information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Visas page at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html.

Filing and application basics for K-2 children

• No separate petition is required beyond the principal K-1 petition; the child’s K-2 visa is tied to the same case.
• The petition is filed by the U.S. citizen fiancé(e) on Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)).
  • Find Form I-129F and instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f.
• Each child needs an individual nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) and a separate interview appointment as required by the consulate.
  • The DS-160 is available on the Department of State’s portal at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx.

What typically continues and what may slow

Embassies and consulates usually continue scheduling and conducting visa interviews through a shutdown, but families might face:

• Longer waits for the next available appointment slot
• Reduced call center support
• Slower return of passports with visas

Essential border inspection and admission functions also continue, so visa issuance and travel can proceed. However, airport lines or land border processing could be slower if staffing is stretched.

Key funding point: USCIS and consular visa units are primarily fee-funded, so they are not directly affected when Congress has not passed new spending. Consular sections will operate as long as fees cover costs, though they may scale back if fee balances are insufficient.

Policy context and variations by post

Because conditions differ by country and post, there is no single rule for all embassies. For example:

• A consulate in a high-volume city may keep full interview lines open.
• A smaller post might reduce public hours and shift to emergency services if staffing is impacted.

Applicants should:

• Watch for email updates from the scheduling system
• Check alerts posted by the consulate that holds their case file

VisaVerge.com reports that K-2 children generally follow the same appointment flow as the K-1 principal, including medical exams, document checks, and final officer review. A shutdown does not change the legal standard for issuing a K-2 visa, the need to prove the parent’s K-1 eligibility, or the child’s age and relationship requirements. It affects only processing speed and passport return timing.

Impact on families and practical steps

Small slowdowns can have outsized effects on families planning around school calendars, lease endings, or wedding timelines. A missed interview can ripple into expired medicals, new police certificates, or rescheduled flights.

To reduce stress during a government shutdown, consider these steps:

1. Confirm the appointment 2–3 business days before the interview and the morning of the appointment.
2. Keep inboxes (including spam folders) clear for any consulate emails about rescheduling.
3. Arrive early; some posts may stagger entry to manage smaller staff.
4. Bring a complete document set for the K-2 child.

Documents officers typically expect for K-2 interviews

• Valid passport for the child
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• Visa fee payment receipt, if applicable
• The K-1 parent’s I-129F approval notice (copy), case number, and proof of ongoing K-1 process
• Birth certificate and proof of relationship to the K-1 parent
• Photos meeting consular photo rules
• Medical exam results, if required before the interview at that post
• Any custody or consent documents if the child’s other parent is not the K-1 petitioner
• Proof that the child is under 21 and unmarried

Families should also plan for possible courier delays returning passports with visas. If the consulate offers pickup and courier delivery, choose the option that best fits your timeline and local conditions. Keep proof of any upcoming deadlines—such as school enrollment—to show urgent need if the post allows priority handling.

Travel and ports of entry

Travel after visa issuance continues during shutdowns. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers work as essential personnel, so ports of entry remain open. Still, travelers should:

• Build extra time into connections, especially at busy hubs
• Expect slower lines if staffing or resources are constrained

How consulates communicate service reductions

If a consulate must reduce service, it will usually:

• Email updated appointment dates or times
• Post an alert on its website or the scheduling portal
• Maintain emergency services for urgent humanitarian or life-and-death cases

Applicants who receive a reschedule notice should act quickly to claim a new slot. If the shutdown ends quickly, normal hours often return soon after and backlogs typically clear over the next few weeks.

Families worried about losing validity on a medical exam or police certificate should:

• Review the relevant consulate’s rules
• Prepare to refresh time-limited documents if required
• Contact the call center or public inquiry email listed on the consulate’s official site when in doubt

Bottom line

The bottom line for K-2 children is steady but patient progress. K-2 visa interviews are not automatically canceled during a government shutdown, and most cases move ahead.

Be ready for small changes, keep proof of your case history handy, and use official channels for updates. When forms are required, use the official resources: Form I-129F at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f and Form DS-160 at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx.