IR-4 Orphan Visa

The IR-4 Immigrant Visa allows children adopted abroad by U.S. citizens to enter the United States for the purpose of completing their adoption. This visa is issued when the adoption has not been finalized in the child’s home country or when U.S. law requires the adoption to occur within the United States.

Key Features of the IR-4 Visa:

• Definition: The IR-4 visa is for children who have been placed for adoption by U.S. citizen parents but whose adoption is not yet legally completed abroad. The child must enter the U.S. to finalize the adoption process in a U.S. court.
• Orphan Classification: To qualify, the child must meet the U.S. immigration definition of an orphan — typically under age 16, with no living parents, or whose parents are unable to care for them and have legally released custody for adoption.
• Hague vs. Non-Hague Process: - For **Hague Convention countries**, the process involves filing Form I-800 and receiving a Hague Adoption Certificate. - For **Non-Hague countries**, adoptive parents must file Form I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative).
• Petition Filing: U.S. citizen adoptive parents must submit the appropriate petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for approval before the child’s visa interview can be scheduled.
• Visa Application: Once USCIS approves the petition, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), followed by an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the child’s country.
• Medical Examination and Interview: The child must undergo a medical exam by an approved physician, and the adoptive parents (if required) attend a visa interview where documents such as the adoption placement decree, birth certificate, and identity proofs are reviewed.
• Entry to the United States: Upon visa approval, the child can travel to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). The adoption must then be finalized in a U.S. state court.
• Finalization of Adoption: After arrival, the adoptive parents must complete the legal adoption process under U.S. state law. Once finalized, the child receives a U.S. birth certificate and full legal parental rights are established.
• Citizenship: Once the adoption is finalized and the child meets all criteria — including being under age 18 and in the legal custody of the U.S. citizen parent — they automatically acquire U.S. citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
• Age Requirement: The child must generally be under the age of 16 at the time of petition filing, although exceptions apply for siblings adopted together or in close succession.

The IR-4 visa provides a legal and secure pathway for adoptive families to bring children to the United States and complete the adoption process domestically. At Visa2Migrate, we focus on helping families understand each step of this journey and ensure compliance with both U.S. and international adoption requirements.