IR-3 Immigrant Visa for Orphans Adopted Abroad by a U.S. Citizen

The IR-3 immigrant visa is a category designed for orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizens. It allows these children to immigrate to the United States and become lawful permanent residents. Here are key aspects of the IR-3 Immigrant Visa:

• Eligibility: The IR-3 visa is available to children who have been adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen and whose adoption meets the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Adoption Process: To qualify for an IR-3 visa, the adoption process must comply with the laws of the child's country of origin and with U.S. immigration laws. The adoption must be finalized before the child's 16th birthday.
• IR-3 vs. IR-4 Visa: The IR-3 visa is for children whose adoption is finalized abroad, while the IR-4 visa is for children whose adoption is not yet finalized at the time of immigration. IR-3 visa holders automatically acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry to the United States, while IR-4 visa holders must go through additional steps to finalize their adoption and obtain citizenship.
• Application Process: U.S. citizen adoptive parents must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the adopted child. Upon approval of the petition, the child can apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
• Documentation: Adoptive parents must provide documentation demonstrating that the adoption was legally completed and that the child meets the requirements for immigration to the United States, including medical examinations and background checks.
• Travel to the United States: Once the immigrant visa is issued, the adopted child and their adoptive parents can travel to the United States, where the child will become a lawful permanent resident and receive a green card.
• Benefits: As lawful permanent residents of the United States, IR-3 visa holders have the right to live and work permanently in the country, attend school, and access healthcare and other benefits available to U.S. residents.
• Citizenship: Children who enter the United States on an IR-3 visa automatically acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry, provided they are admitted to the United States before their 18th birthday and are in the legal custody of their adoptive parents.
• Support Services: Upon arrival in the United States, adoptive families may access support services and resources to assist with the child's integration and adjustment to life in their new home country.

Navigating the IR-3 visa process requires careful attention to adoption laws, documentation, and procedural requirements. Adoptive parents should work closely with adoption agencies, legal professionals, and U.S. immigration authorities to ensure a smooth transition for their adopted child to the United States.