đź‘Ş Green Card for Children of U.S. Citizens (IR-2)
When a U.S. citizen has a child who was born abroad or is living outside the U.S., they may be eligible to sponsor their child for a green card through the Immediate Relative (IR-2) visa category. This pathway provides lawful permanent residency without long wait times or annual caps.
âś… Who Qualifies for an IR-2 Visa?
To qualify:
-
The child must be unmarried and under the age of 21.
-
The sponsoring parent must be a U.S. citizen (not just a green card holder).
-
The child must be biologically related to, legally adopted by, or the stepchild of the U.S. citizen.
-
If adopted, the adoption must have occurred before age 16 (or 18 in sibling cases), and the child must have lived with the parent for at least two years.
đź“ť Required Documents
-
U.S. citizen parent’s passport and proof of citizenship.
-
Child’s birth certificate or adoption decree.
-
Proof of legal relationship (e.g., marriage certificate if stepchild).
-
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
-
Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application), if applying from abroad.
🌎 Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status?
-
If the child is outside the U.S., they’ll go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
-
If they are already in the U.S., they may apply for adjustment of status using Form I-485.
đź•’ Processing Times
Immediate relative visas like the IR-2 are not subject to visa caps, meaning there is no waiting period based on priority dates. Processing time can range from 8–14 months, depending on whether the child is in the U.S. or abroad.
🧒 Children Under 14
Children under age 14 may have a simplified biometrics or interview process. It’s essential to submit the correct evidence to avoid delays.
🧾 Green Card Upon Entry
Once approved, the child will be issued an immigrant visa. After entering the U.S., the green card will typically arrive within 30–60 days.
📞 Contact Borderless Lawyers now to secure your child’s U.S. residency the right way.