Green Card for the Child of a US Citizen  – IR-2 Visa

Apply for an IR-2 Child Green Card

If you’re a U.S. citizen and have a child who isn’t a Green Card holder or an American citizen, they may qualify for an IR-2 Visa if they’re under 21 and unmarried.  

There are several situations where a child may not automatically have U.S. citizenship, even if one or both parents are U.S. citizens. For example, a child born outside the U.S. does not acquire citizenship unless the American parent(s) meet certain residency or physical presence requirements in the United States. 

At Blue Lake Law, we have helped many parents get a US green card, and we can help you too. Our U.S. immigration attorneys offer bespoke legal support to minimise delays and rejections during your application process.  

We can assist you with navigating the IR-2 Visa application for your child, ensuring all required documentation is accurately prepared,  and obtaining U.S. citizenship for your child through naturalization, if they are above 18.

IR-2 Visa Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the IR-2 Visa, both the U.S. citizen parents and their non-citizen children must meet certain criteria. 

Child’s Age and Marital Status

The child must be under 21 years old and unmarried at the time of the Visa application. 

Sponsor’s Citizenship

The parent sponsoring the child for the IR-2 Visa must be a U.S. citizen. 

Legal Custody Abroad

The sponsor must have had legal custody of the child for at least two years while living abroad. Legal custody means having legal authority over the child’s welfare, typically granted by a court or recognised process.

Residency with Sponsor

The sponsor must have lived with the child for at least two years prior to applying for the visa. 

Adoption Finalisation for Adopted Children

For children who have been legally adopted, the adoption must have been completed before the child turned 16 years old. Additionally, the child must have been in the legal and physical custody of the adoptive parents for at least two years.

Age Requirement for Stepchildren

For stepchildren, the child must have been under 18 years old at the time their birth parent married the U.S. citizen stepparent. The marriage must be legally recognised and valid.

Required Documents for IR-2 Visa Application

Our immigration attorneys can help you gather all the necessary documents for an IR-2 Child Green Card, including: 

• Your child’s valid passport with a validity of at least six months from the planned date of entry
• Your completed and signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
• The Form DS-260 Confirmation page
• Your child’s medical assessment reports
• Two recent photographs of your child according to U.S. Visa standards
• Your court and criminal certificate
• Your military records, if applicable

Path to Citizenship for IR-2 Visa Holders

If your child enters the U.S. before they turn 18, they will automatically receive U.S. citizenship if they remain in the United States with you and they have a green card.

However, if they are above 18, they will become lawful permanent residents and can pursue citizenship through naturalization after living in the U.S. for 2-3 years.

Our team is dedicated to guiding you and your child through every step of this journey, from the initial Visa application to obtaining citizenship. Contact Blue Lake Law today, and let’s talk about how we can  help your family achieve this important milestone.

Step-by-Step IR-2 Visa Application Process

We understand you want to bring your child to the U.S. as soon as possible. The Blue Lake Law team can manage every step of the IR-2 Visa application process with precision and care, maximising your chances of approval.

Form I-130 Completion and Filing

We will help you complete and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relatives, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We’ll ensure all paperwork is filled out correctly, as well as help you gather any supporting documents, such as evidence of your parent-child relationship or adoption.  

USCIS Review

As the USCIS processes your application and conducts a background check, we’ll keep you informed of any updates and additional document requests. Once approved, your petition will be sent to the U.S. Department of State National Visa Center (NVC).

Form DS-260

Next, we will help you file DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application, which includes your child’s personal information, background, and reasons for immigrating to the U.S. The NVC will review your petition and forward it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your child’s home country.

Medical Examination and Vaccination

Under U.S. immigration law, all immigrants must undergo a medical examination and vaccinations from a government-approved physician. If you oppose vaccinations on medical, religious, or moral grounds, you can apply for a vaccine waiver for your child. Our attorneys will assist you in gathering and submitting the necessary paperwork to support your waiver application.

Visa Interview  

Your child will need to attend an interview at their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, where they’ll be asked questions about their relationship with you to verify the authenticity of the application.   

We can help you prepare your child for their Visa interview by telling them what to expect and how to respond confidently.  

Visa Issuance  

If the application is approved, your child will receive their Visa stamped inside their passport, along with a sealed packet.  

Please ask your child to not open the packet till they reach the U.S. Upon arrival, they must submit it to an immigration official for inspection. Your child can only enter the country if the U.S. immigration officers approve it.  

Your child’s future is our priority, and we’re committed to bringing your family together in the United States with the least amount of stress. Contact us today to start your IR-2 Visa application, and prepare to bring your child home.

How Blue Lake Law Can Help You

Our U.S. immigration attorneys can offer personalised guidance and make sure your Green Card for your child is processed quickly without mistakes.

How we can help with IR-2 Green Cards for Children under 21:

• Expertly manage all paperwork
• Thoroughly review each document to minimise errors
• Provide regular updates throughout the Visa application process
• Assist you with your child’s citizenship application, if they’re over 18

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