Immigrating to the United States with a child involves additional steps to ensure that the child enters legally and receives the appropriate visa status. Whether you are immigrating as a family, sponsoring your child from abroad, or bringing a child as a derivative on your visa, the U.S. immigration system provides several pathways depending on your status and relationship to the child.
For U.S. citizens, children under the age of 21 who are unmarried qualify as immediate relatives and may be sponsored under the IR-2 visa. This visa allows the child to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident (green card holder).
For lawful permanent residents (green card holders), unmarried children under 21 can be sponsored under the F2A category.
Children may qualify as derivative beneficiaries on their parent’s visa application, such as:
U.S. citizens who adopt a foreign-born child may apply for an IR-3 or IR-4 visa, depending on whether the adoption occurs abroad or in the U.S.
For most visa types, the sponsoring parent must file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) or include the child as a derivative on an employment or asylum application.
IR visas are not subject to annual caps and typically move faster. Other categories like F2A or derivative employment visas may require waiting for a visa number to become available.
Once the petition is approved and a visa is available, the child will need to attend a consular interview abroad or adjust status if already in the U.S.
Upon approval, the child receives an immigrant visa and may enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident or under the appropriate nonimmigrant status.
If entering as an immigrant, the child receives their green card by mail after entry.
Immigrating with a child requires careful adherence to visa rules, documentation requirements, and age restrictions. With proper filing and preparation, families can successfully reunite and establish lawful permanent residency together in the United States.
