IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas: Children or Adopted Children of U.S. Citizens

What is a IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa?

IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 are types of immigrant visas issued by the United States government to foreign nationals who are the children or adopted children of U.S. citizens.

  • An IR3 visa is issued to an orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen.
  • An IH3 visa is issued to an orphan in the process of being adopted by a U.S. citizen abroad.
  • An IR4 visa is issued to a child adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • An IH4 visa is issued to a child in the process of being adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

The process for obtaining these visas typically involves the U.S. citizen parent or parents filing a petition on behalf of the child, and then the child going through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy. The child will also have to undergo a medical examination and obtain police certificates from any country where they have lived for more than six months since the age of 16.

Who Qualifies for IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa?

To qualify for an IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa, a foreign national must be the child or adopted child of a U.S. citizen. The specific qualifications for each type of visa are as follows:

  • IR3 visa: To qualify for an IR3 visa, the child must be an orphan who has been adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen. The adoption must be full and final, and the child must be coming to the United States to live permanently with the U.S. citizen adoptive parent or parents.
  • IH3 visa: To qualify for an IH3 visa, the child must be an orphan who is in the process of being adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen. The adoption must be full and final, and the child must be coming to the United States to live permanently with the U.S. citizen adoptive parent or parents.
  • IR4 visa: To qualify for an IR4 visa, the child must be adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The adoption must be full and final, and the child must be coming to the United States to live permanently with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident adoptive parent or parents.
  • IH4 visa: To qualify for an IH4 visa, the child must be in the process of being adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The adoption must be full and final, and the child must be coming to the United States to live permanently with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident adoptive parent or parents.

It’s important to note that the child’s age, relationship and whether the adoption is full and final are key factors for these visas. Also, the U.S parent or parents must have met the child in person and have appropriate documentation for the adoption or guardianship.

How to Apply for IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa?

The process for applying for an IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa involves several steps and the specific process can vary depending on the country where the adoption took place. However, here is a general overview of the process:

  1. File a petition: The U.S. citizen parent or parents must file a petition on behalf of the child with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, or Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.
  2. Gather all necessary documentation: The U.S. citizen parent or parents and the child will need to provide various forms of documentation to support the petition, such as proof of U.S. citizenship for the sponsor, proof of the adoption or guardianship and proof of the child’s relationship to the U.S. citizen parent or parents.
  3. Pay the required fees: The U.S. citizen parent or parents will need to pay the required fees to the USCIS and also to the National Visa Center (NVC) if needed.
  4. Wait for the petition to be approved: Once the petition is filed, it will take some time for it to be processed by the USCIS. After the petition is approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
  5. Complete the online visa application form: Once the petition is received by the NVC, the child will receive instructions on how to complete the online visa application form (DS-260).
  6. Attend a medical examination: The child will need to schedule and attend a medical examination with a physician authorized by the U.S. embassy or consulate.
  7. Attend a visa interview: Once the NVC has received all of your documents, they will schedule a visa interview with a consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

What is the IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Interview Process?

The IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visas interview process typically involves an interview with a consular officer at a U.S. consulate or embassy in the child’s home country. The interview is an opportunity for the consular officer to verify the information in the visa application and to determine whether the child is eligible for the visa. The interview process may include the following steps:

  1. Arrival: The child will need to arrive at the consulate or embassy on the date and time of their scheduled interview. They will be asked to present their passport and will be required to pass through security.
  2. Interview: A consular officer will conduct the interview, which will usually last around 10-15 minutes. The consular officer will ask the child questions about their qualifications, their relationship to the U.S. citizen parent or parents, and their plans in the United States. They will also check the child’s documentation and make sure that the information they have provided is accurate.
  3. Decision: After the interview, the consular officer will make a decision on the application. If the child is approved for the visa, they will be asked to pay the visa fee, and will be given instructions on how to collect their passport and visa. If the application is denied, the consular officer will explain the reason for the denial and will inform the child of their right to appeal the decision.
  4. Additional steps: Depending on the specific case, the consular officer may also ask for additional documents or information, or may request an additional interview with the U.S citizen parent or parents.

What are the Required Documents for IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa?

The required documents for an IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa application may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case, but generally, the child will need to provide the following documents:

  1. A valid passport: The child’s passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date they intend to enter the United States.
  2. A nonimmigrant visa application form: The child will need to complete the online form DS-260, which is the nonimmigrant visa application form.
  3. A recent photograph: The child will need to upload a recent passport-style photograph as part of their online application.
  4. A copy of the approved Form I-600 or Form I-800: The U.S. citizen parent or parents must file a Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative or Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the child must provide a copy of the approved petition.
  5. Proof of U.S. citizenship for the sponsor: The U.S. citizen parent or parents will need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.
  6. Proof of the adoption or guardianship: The child and the U.S. citizen parent or parents will need to provide various forms of documentation that establish the adoption or guardianship, such as adoption decree, court order, or guardianship order.
  7. Proof of the child’s relationship to the U.S. citizen parent or parents: The child and the U.S. citizen parent or parents will need to provide proof of the child’s relationship to the U.S. citizen parent or parents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or DNA test results.
  8. Police certificates: The child will need to provide police certificates from any country where they have lived for more than 6 months since age 16.
  9. Medical examination: The child will need to schedule and attend a medical examination with a physician authorized by the U.S. embassy or consulate.

What is the IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa Fee?

The current fee for an IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa is $325, this fee is subject to change, and it’s important to check the U.S Department of State website or the U.S. consulate or embassy where you plan to apply for the most up-to-date information.

What is the IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Processing Time?

The processing time for an IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the volume of applications received by the U.S. consulate or embassy and the completeness of the application. However, typically it takes around 6 to 9 months to process IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visa applications from the time the petition is filed by the U.S. citizen parent or parents to the date of the interview at the U.S consulate.

IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 Visas Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers about IR3, IH3, IR4, and IH4 visas:

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for IR3 visa?

A: To be eligible for an IR3 visa, an individual must be the spouse of a U.S. citizen, and the citizen spouse must be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for IH3 visa?

A: To be eligible for an IH3 visa, an individual must be an orphan who is adopted or seeking adoption by a U.S. citizen.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for IR4 visa?

A: To be eligible for an IR4 visa, an individual must be the unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for IH4 visa?

A: To be eligible for an IH4 visa, an individual must be an orphan who is being adopted by a U.S. citizen, and the adoption must be full and final in the foreign country.

Q: How long does the process take to obtain one of these visas?

A: The time it takes to obtain an IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa can vary depending on the individual case and the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application. It is important to check the processing time for the specific embassy or consulate where the application is being submitted.

Q: Can I work or study while waiting for my IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa to be processed?

A: Yes, you can apply for a work or study permit while waiting for your IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa to be processed. However, it is important to note that you cannot work or study until the visa is granted.

Q: Can I bring my family with me when I immigrate with an IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa?

A: Yes, you can bring your spouse and any unmarried children under 21 years old with you when you immigrate with an IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa.

Q: Can I apply for an IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa while I am in the United States?

A: It depends on the individual case and the immigration status of the applicant. It is best to consult with a immigration lawyer before applying for an IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 visa.