Explaining the IR-2 Visa
- By Fileright
- Last Updated:
Introduction
Anyone who has lived away from their family can tell you the value of reuniting and meeting family members after a long break. The video calls and long phone conversations have helped you remain connected to your family, but something is just missing.
If you are a child of a U.S. citizen living in a foreign country who wants to relocate and lawfully enter and stay in the US, you can apply for a green card. As the child of a US citizen, you have an additional option of applying for an IR-2 immigrant visa, which has been specially designed for these types of situations. Or, if you are a US citizen who is adopting a child from another country, then you can petition for an IR-2 visa for your adopted child.
This guide will cover the basics of an IR-2 visa, including eligibility, application procedures, processing time and costs, and whether the IR-2 visa is the correct answer for your immigration needs.
What Is an IR-2 Visa?
The IR-2 is an immigrant visa issued by the USCIS that allows the child of a US citizen living in a foreign country to enter and stay in the US lawfully. With the IR-2 visa, you can directly enter the US on a permanent resident status and have a direct path to eventually becoming a US citizen.
What makes the IR-2 visa unique is that only children of US citizens can apply for it, and typically, an IR-2 visa is processed faster than family-based immigrant visa petitions. Additionally, as you are an immediate relative, there are no annual caps on the number of green cards that can be issued to a child of a U.S. citizen.
What Is the Eligibility to Apply for an IR-2 Visa?
Two main types of eligibility must be met to get an IR-2 visa.
Eligibility of the Sponsor
The sponsor must:
- Be a US Citizen
- Have had the legal custody of the child living abroad for at least two years before applying for an IR-2 visa
- Must have lived with the child for at least two years before applying for an IR-2 visa
Eligibility of the Child
The child must:
- Be under the age of 21 years at the time of issuance of the IR-2 visa
- Not be married
- Be a biological or adopted child of a US citizen (in case of step-children of a US citizen, the child’s birth parent must have married the US citizen before the child turned 18 years)
- If the child is adopted, then the adoption must be finalised before the child turns 16 years old
- Be living in a foreign country
- Not a green card holder or US citizen
What Is the Processing Time of an IR-2 Visa?
Although the processing time depends on the backlog of the center/field office that is processing your application for an IR-2 visa, based on the latest processing timeline, an IR-2 is usually processed within 16-24 months.
If there are any mistakes or omissions in your application process, it can lead to an increased processing time. Additionally, if a request for additional evidence is issued, the process can be further delayed.
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for an IR-2 Visa?
In 2025, if you are applying for an IR-2 visa, you must pay a filing fee of $625 (the paper filing fee is $675) for filing an I-130 with the USCIS. You also have to pay a $325 fee to file a DS-260 with the US Department of State.
Additionally, you would have to pay the cost of the immigrant medical examination and the cost of preparing and translating documents (if applicable).
What Is the Application Process of an IR-2 Visa?
Understanding the process of applying for an IR-2 visa is the key to avoiding any complications and ensuring a timely visa process. We have compiled a step-by-step process guide on how you can apply for an IR-2 visa in 2025
Step 1: File An I-130 Petition With The USCIS
The first step is to establish a family relationship between you and your U.S. citizen parent. This is done by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS.
To file your I-130 petition, your U.S.-citizen parent who is sponsoring the application would need to submit documents to prove that they have U.S. citizenship. This can be done by attaching copies of their naturalization certificate, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or a valid and unexpired US passport.
As the beneficiary of the I-130, documents proving that you are the biological or adoptive child of a US citizen must be attached. Acceptable examples of these documents include your birth certificate, adoption papers, or court-certified records of adoption.
Typically, within 10-20 days of sending your complete application package to the USCIS office, you will receive a notice informing you that the USCIS has received it. As of 2025, the median processing time of an I-130 is 14.4 months.
Need help filing your I-130 petition? Get an I-130 application package from FileRight and ensure an error-free and stress-free application process!
Step 2: File Form DS-260
As you are applying for a green card from outside the US, you would have to go through consular processing. After your I-130 is approved, you can file a DS-260 electronically with the National Visa Center (NVC). If all your documents are in order, the NVC, after verifying your documents, forwards your application to the US Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country to schedule a green card interview.
Overall, the documents that you have to attach to your DS-260 will depend on your case circumstances. However, you must submit:
- Proof of Nationality: Copy of your birth certificate and unexpired passport
- Copy of military records (only applicable if you have served)
- Criminal Record: Submit copies of the police clearance certificate and records of previous arrests, detentions, convictions, etc.
- Affidavit of Support: In addition to submitting the DS-260, your US citizen parent must also submit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to ensure that they will financially support you after you enter the U.S.
Remember to get an immigrant medical examination before your interview so that you are not inadmissible to enter the US on any health-related grounds. If the consular officer taking your interview approves your application, you can enter the US on a green card.
What Questions Will I Be Asked in the IR-2 Visa Interview?
Your IR-2 interview will be taken at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate that is located in your country. At the interview, the consular officer will typically ask questions related to the information you have provided in your DS-260 to verify your information and supporting documents. The officer will also ask questions about your relationship with your U.S. citizen parent.
Usually, if a child is under the age of 14, they are not required to attend the interview. However, in the case of an IR-2 visa, as the child is the principal applicant, they must attend the interview even if a child is under 14. However, as a U.S. citizen parent, you can accompany your child to the interview as their legal guardian.
Remember to bring the following documents to the interview:
- USCIS appointment letter scheduling the IR-2 visa interview
- Copy of your DS-260
- Original, unexpired passport
- Two recently taken passport-size, identical colour photographs
- Certified copies of all supporting documents that were uploaded
- Any other documents that were not submitted to the NVC
After the interview, if no additional information is required, you will learn if your application has been accepted or denied within 45-90 days. If your child’s IR-2 visa application is accepted, they can enter the US on an IR-2 visa. Remember to pay all the filing and processing fees on time to avoid delays.
Conclusion
If you are a U.S. citizen who wants to bring your unmarried child living in a foreign country to the US on a permanent residence status, then an IR-2 visa is the right option. Although the IR-2 visa can take time to process, after arriving in the US, your child will have a green card and can also apply for US Citizenship in the future.
If your child enters the US when they are under the age of 18 and stays with you, then they automatically derive US Citizenship and can apply for a citizenship certificate and a US passport.
How FileRight Can Help?
FileRight is an immigration software company that assists in filing for different kinds of immigration benefits, ensuring you avoid errors and omissions in your application process. Here’s how FileRight can help you:
- Expert Guidance: With a proven track record of successful application filings, our expert immigration lawyers can help you avoid delays and tackle any bureaucratic issues that may complicate your IR-2 visa process. We provide easy-to-understand filing instructions so that you can file all the required supporting documents.
- Application Package: Whether it be filing an I-130, an I-864, or an N-400 (citizenship application), FileRight provides application packages with our “do-it-yourself” software and lawyer review services, making your application process stress-free.
- Immigration Lawyer Consultation: If you don’t want to take an application package but just want to clear your doubts about the process, the forms, or the eligibility, you can book a consultation with our expert immigration attorneys.
FileRight’s Managing Attorney, Mr. James Robertson, has worked in the USCIS for 12 years, supervising thousands of applications, giving FileRight and its clients a unique insight into the workings of the US immigration system.
Start your IR-2 visa application process with confidence and ease by booking a consultation with FileRight’s experienced immigration attorneys.
