The IR2 visa allows unmarried children of U.S. citizens who are living outside of the country to lawfully enter and live in the United States. To be eligible for an IR2 visa, the child must be under 21 years old. This U.S. immigration law is intended to promote family unification by reuniting family members.
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Differences Between The IR2 & IR1 Visas
The key difference between the IR1 and IR2 visas is that the IR1 visa is given to foreign spouses who have been married for more than two years. The IR2 visa allows the unmarried children of U.S. citizens to enter and live in the country.
IR2 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the IR2 visa, you must be:
- 21 years old and younger
- Unmarried
- Living in a foreign country
- Have been living with adoptive u.S. citizen parents for at least two years
The U.S. citizen must:
- Consent to the adoption of an unmarried child under 21 from a foreign country
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be adopting the child from a foreign country and have lived with them for two years
IR2 Green Card Application Process
The IR2 visa is part of the Immediate Relative category. This category has no yearly caps on visas. So, you don’t have to wait for a certain time period to begin the IR2 green card application process. You are required to file a petition with the USCIS. Once approved, you will proceed with the application process by visiting a U.S. Embassy.
Here are the steps you must take when applying for an IR2 visa:
Sponsor Completes Petition Form & Sends To UCSIS
The first step you will need to take is to file Form I-130 (officially called the “Petition for an Alien Relative”) and send it to the USCIS.
Department Of Homeland Security Processes Petition
If the petition is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) will process the petition and send you a package of information.
Applicant Fills In Form DS-260
When the petition is granted, the parent must fill out Form DS-260 (immigrant visa application) and submit evidence of their parent-child relationship or the adoption. Additionally, proof that the child has lived with the parent for the past two years is required outside of the U.S.
Child Takes All Necessary Medical Examinations & Vaccinations
Prior to the visa interview, the child must undergo a medical examination and get the required vaccinations.
All Required Documents Are Collected
The next step is to gather all required documents to take to the visa interview with you. You must bring:
- Your USCIS appointment letter
- A passport that is valid for at least six months past the intended date of entry into the U.S.
- Two identical color photos
- Supporting documents that have been uploaded into Consular Electronic Application Center(CEAC)
Applicant Attends An Interview At A U.S. Embassy
Now it’s time for your child to head to the U.S. Embassy and attend their interview. Your child will be asked questions about their relationship with you in an effort to verify the legitimacy of their visa application.
Child Is Accepted Into U.S.
After the interview, sit tight for three to 12 months. Once your child is accepted into the United States, it’s time to bring them home!
IR2 Application Fees
Costs vary, but you can expect at least:
- $325 S-260 processing fee
- $535 I-130 filing fee
- Medical examination fees (doctor prices vary)
- $200 USCIS immigration fees
IR2 Processing Time
The processing time for an IR2 visa varies from three to 12 months from the application date. The good news is because there’s no annual cap, there’s no required waiting period.
What Happens If The Application Is Denied
If your IR-2 visa application is denied, you need to contact an immigration attorney immediately. An immigration attorney knows the ins and outs of immigration laws and can help you come up with a plan to appeal or refile your application.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
Contact Eric Price for a free case consultation today. With his experience as an ICE prosecutor, he has the capacity to understand a case from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. His ability to properly evaluate & strategize immigration cases has resulted in winning hundreds of cases for his clients both in and out of court. Don’t delay your American Dream any longer; contact Eric Price now.
