You may consider your adopted child as your own. Still, there may be specific requirements upon their allowance to enter the United States alongside you. Continue reading to learn how to legally bring your adopted child to the United States and how an experienced family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can help administer this process.
How can I legally bring my adopted child to the United States?
If a child you adopted, or intend to adopt, is residing outside of the United States, then they will require an immigrant visa to legally enter the country. This immigrant visa may be used by the United States Department of State at the embassy or consulate in the country in which the child resides.
But depending on the certain circumstances surrounding your child’s home country, adoption status, etc., they may require a certain immigrant visa type. Examples are as follows:
- An IH-3 visa: this is if your child underwent a final adoption from a Hague Convention country.
- An IH-4 visa: this is if your child is from a Hague Convention country and is to be adopted in the United States.
- An IR-3 visa: this is if your child underwent a full and final adoption in a foreign country; and if you physically saw and observed your child prior to or during your adoption proceedings.
- An IR-4 visa: this is if your child is from a foreign country and is to be adopted in the United States; and if you did not physically see or observe your child prior to or during your adoption proceedings.
- An IR-2 visa: this is if your child was adopted before their 16th birthday; and was in your legal custody or jointly resided with you for at least two years.
What else should I know about my child’s citizenship?
Now that you are versed in the types of immigrant visas for adopted children, you must understand which one makes your particular child eligible for citizenship. That is, the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- For IR-3 and IH-3 visas: this may make your child eligible for citizenship if they are admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident prior to their 18th birthday; and if they are under your legal and physical custody as a citizen parent.
- For IR-4 and IH-4 visas: this may make your child eligible for citizenship if they become permanent residents upon admission; and then automatically acquire citizenship on the date of their adoption in the United States.
- For IR-2 visas: this may make your child eligible for citizenship after their admission if they reside with you in the United States.
There is no time like the present when applying for your child’s citizenship. So reach out to a skilled family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, from Sesini Law Group, S.C., today.