How to Apply For an IR-2 Child Visa

Last updated: November 9, 2025.

By Asel Williams, Esq. · Columbia Law School · Licensed immigration attorney

The IR-2 Visa is a family-based immigration visa allowing U.S. citizens to bring their unmarried children under 21 to the United States as immigrants.

It creates a path for the child to get a green card and later a Certificate of Citizenship.

An IR-2 visa is considered an immediate relative visa for unmarried children under 21 years old. 

An IR-2 visa allows your child to live in the U.S. and attend school.

With a green card, your child can also work without having to file for an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”).

Another benefit of the IR-2 is that it does not have an annual cap which means that unlike family preference category, the visa number is immediately available.

It means that once Form I-130 is approved, the child can immediately apply for an immigrant visa with the National Visa Center.

In this article, we will discuss the process of applying for an IR-2 visa.

We provide step-by-step instructions on the application process, eligibility requirements, necessary forms, supporting documents, costs, processing times, and other important information related to the IR-2 visa. 

What is an IR-2 Visa?

The IR-2 Visa falls under the Immediate Relative (“IR”) Visa category and is intended to promote family unification.

It allows U.S. citizens to bring their immediate family members from other countries to the United States.

If you have an unmarried child under 21 residing in a foreign country and want to bring them to the U.S., you can apply for an IR-2 Visa.

Review the following information to better understand the eligibility criteria and limitations of this type of visa. 

Age Limitations in Sponsoring Your Children  for IR-2 Visa

According to the USCIS, only unmarried children who have not reached the age of 21 can apply for an IR-2 Visa.

If a child is married or over 21, they are ineligible for an IR-2 visa. Instead, you can sponsor them for either:

• F1 visa (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens over 21), or
• F3 visa (married sons and daughters of US citizens of any age).

Other IR-2 visa eligibility requirements include:

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen.
• The child must be unmarried.
• Where the child is adopted, the adoption must have taken place before the child’s 16 birthday.
• For stepchildren to qualify, the child’s stepparent and birth parent must have married before the child’s 18th birthday.

Children of Permanent Residents (F2A) vs. Children of U.S. Citizens (IR-2)

There are two categories of family-based immigration visas: Immediate Relative and Family Preference. 

• Immediate Relative: This type of family-based visa is reserved for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. residents. There is no limit to the number of immigrants that a U.S. citizen can sponsor annually. 
• Family Preference: This category is reserved for specific family relationships with U.S. citizens (unmarried children over 21, married children and siblings of U.S. citizens) and some specific relationships with permanent residents (spouses, unmarried children under 21 and unmarried children over 21 of green card holders). The number of immigrants sponsored under this category is limited each year.

Both U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents can file an immigration visa petition (Form I-130) for their unmarried children, provided that these children are under 21 years old.

The only difference is the form or category of the visa:

• A child of a U.S. citizen requires an Immediate Relative Visa (IR-2)
• A child of a permanent resident requires a Family Preference Visa (F2A). If you are a permanent resident, you will need to file Form I-130 petition, which is the first step in sponsoring your child for an F2A category visa. This petition establishes your relationship with your child and shows that you are sponsoring them for immigration.
• If you are a U.S. citizen and want to sponsor your fiancé(e)s unmarried child under 21,  you will also need to include the child(ren) on Form I-129F, which is the petition for an alien fiancé(e). Once the I-129F is approved, your fiancé(e)s child will need to attend a consular interview and obtain a K-2 visa before they can enter the U.S.

Regardless of whether you are a permanent resident or a U.S. citizen, your child will need to undergo a medical examination and in some cases obtain a police clearance certificate (if 16 or older) before they can be approved for an immigrant visa.

What Immigration Forms Do I Need to File with IR-2 Visa Application?

The IR-2 visa application process begins with filing Form I-130 petition with USCIS. Form I-130 is filed by the US citizen parent. If the US citizen parent is located outside the US, they can still file Form I-130 (online or by mail) with USCIS.

• Form I-130: Establishing Parent-Child Relationship 

Form I-130 is also known as ‘Petition for Alien Relative’. The primary purpose of Form I-130 is establishing a valid parent-child relationship. 

A complete Form I-130 filing package must include the following:

• Completed and signed Form I-130 (use the most recent edition)
• Proof of parent’s US citizenship (at least one of the following documents: a copy of naturalization certificate, U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
• Proof of the parent-child relationship (child’s birth certificate, copies of adoption decree, marriage certificate of the child’s parents)
• A government filing fee of $625 (if filing online), or $675 (if filing by mail)

You must mail a completed I-130 packet to USCIS or file Form I-130 online. USCIS will mail a receipt notice to acknowledge the registration within 2 weeks. If USCIS requires more information or evidence to process the petition, you will receive a Request for Evidence (“RFE”). It takes about 12-13 months for USCIS to process your Form I-130 petition.

• Form DS-260: Application for Immigrant Visa 

Once USCIS approves Form I-130 petition, your case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) fir further processing.

The NVC’s role is to gather all the forms and supporting documents and decide whether the child is ready for an interview at a United States consulate or embassy.

This stage is known as “Consular Processing.” 

You will receive an email and/or notice from NVC within 1-2 weeks after Form I-130 is approved.

The NVC notice will contain 2 numbers:

• NVC ID number (note: the first three letters match the U.S. Embassy/Consulate where the child will attend the interview. For example, “BGT” stands for Bogota)
• Invoice ID number

Enter these two numbers on the Consular Electronic Application Center website and access the child’s Form DS-260 online application. 

A complete NVC application includes the following:

• Form DS-260 (immigrant visa application form completed online)
• Child’s civil documents (birth certificate, valid passport, digital US visa-type photograph, etc.)
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support and supporting documents (parent’s proof of US citizenship, most recent US tax return or IRS tax transcript, most recent W-2 and/or 1099 forms)
• Parent’s proof of US domicile (required for some applicants)
• Government filing fees of $445 (DS-260 $325 fee+ Affidavit of Support $120 fee)

NVC will review the submitted application and if any documents do not meet their requirements, you will be notified via email.

Access the messages in the child’s online Form DS-260 account and carefully review the instructions on reuploading or correcting the documents.

You can check the average NVC review processing times here.

Once the NVC has pre-approved the child’s visa application, you will receive an email stating that the case is “documentarily qualified”.

It means that the case will be forward it to the U.S. consulate or embassy in the child’s home country. 

Once an interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate is scheduled, you will receive an email with the date, time, and location of the interview.

Carefully review the instructions provided in the email and schedule an appointment with the authorized doctor.

Prepare all the required original documents and photocopies for the interview day as outlined on the U.S. Department of State website (choose your U.S. Embassy/Consulate):

What Documents Do I Need to Submit With an IR-2 Application?

You will have to submit the following documents along with your IR-2 application:

• Proof of parent’s US citizenship (at least one of the following documents:
  • US birth certificate
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Citizenship Certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Unexpired US passport
• The child’s passport, with a validity of at least six months
• Child’s “long-form” birth certificate that lists both parents
• Marriage certificate of the child’s parents
• Form DS-260 confirmation page (one page document with a bar code)
• A fully completed and signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
• Form I-864 supporting documents (parent’s most recent tax return, most recent W-2 form and 1099 form, etc.)
• The child’s medical examination report
• Police certificate(s) – if child is over 16
• Any court and criminal records (if child has criminal records in any country in the world)
• Child’s two recent U.S. visa-style photographs
• Military record (if child has served in the military)

What Happens After Submitting the IR-2 Application?

IR-2 application process includes the following steps:

Step 1. Filing Form I-130 with USCIS. Once Form I-130 is approved, your case will be forwarded to NVC. Average processing time: 12-13 months.

Step 2. National Visa Center (NVC) processing. After NVC marks the case as “documentarily qualified”, case is forwarded to the US Embassy/Consulate in the child’s country of residence. Average processing time: 1-3 months.

Step 3. U.S. Embassy/Consulate interview. Average processing time: 2-12 months.

Child will need to present the following original documents during this interview: 

• The child’s unexpired passport, valid for at least six months beyond the intended entry date into the U.S.
• The U.S. Embassy or consulate interview appointment letter 
• Two-identical U.S. visa-style color photographs of the child
• Supporting documents, including original and certified copies of civil documents uploaded to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CESC)
• English translations of any documents in a language that is not English
• Completed medical examination

Step 4. Immigrant visa approval. Average processing time: 1 week. If your child successfully completes the interview, U.S. Department of State will issue an immigrant visa valid for 6 months. Your child must enter the US before the visa expiration date.

Step 5. Entry into the U.S. On the day your child enters the US on an immigrant visa, they will be granted permanent resident status.

Step 6: Your child might be eligible to apply for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600). If approved, your child will obtain US citizenship.

How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor My Child for IR-2 Visa?

IR-2 visa application fees include:

• $625 (if filing online), or $675 (if filing by mail) – Form I-130
• $325 – Form DS-260
• $120 – Affidavit of Support
• $235 – USCIS Immigrant Fee. This is only paid after your child has received a visa, just before traveling to the U.S. USCIS will not issue a Green Card before the payment of this fee
• Medical examination fee as set by the doctor
• Other fees (where applicable) – government filing fees for obtaining supporting documents such as certified copies of documents, English translation of foreign documents, etc.

If you are sponsoring more than one child for an IR-2 visa, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each child.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain an IR-2 Visa?

The entire processing time for an IR-2 Visa may range from 14 months to 20 months:

Steps	Average processing time
Form I-130	12-13 months
NVC	1-3 months
Scheduling an interview at the US Embassy/Consulate	2-12 months
Immigrant visa issuance	1 week

The actual time frame will depend on the specific circumstances of your application (such as completeness of the supporting documents), backlog at the USCIS Service Center processing your petition and the waiting line at the consulate that will review the child’s application.

For Form I-130 processing time, you can check the USCIS website for the most current information.

Is My Child Eligible for U.S. Citizenship After Obtaining an IR-2 Visa?

Children who enter the U.S. with an IR-2 visa might be eligible for US citizenship.

Children under 18 years of age acquire U.S. citizenship immediately upon entering the U.S.

In those cases, your child can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship (N-600) with USCIS.

Those aged 18 or older do not acquire citizenship but rather Lawful Permanent Residency, which allows them to live and work in the U.S. 

Generally, a permanent resident child aged 18 or older will need to continuously reside in the U.S. for 4 years and 9 months before becoming eligible to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

The child will need to meet the U.S. citizenship requirements (continuous residence, “good moral character” that includes filing federal tax returns and paying taxes, registering with the Selective Service System).

Other Types of Immediate Relative Visas

 Immediate Relative (“IR”) visas are issued to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who live outside the United States. Examples of IR visas include:

• IR-1 Visas, issued to the spouse of a U.S. citizen. 
• IR-2 Visas, issued to unmarried under 21 years old children of U.S citizens.
• IR-3 Visas, issued to children adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen.
• IR-4 Visas, issued to children to be adopted in the U.S. by U.S. citizens.
• IR-5 Visas, issued to parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.

As shown above, the following individuals are considered immediate relatives for IR-type visas: spouses, adopted or biological children, and parents.

All other relatives do not qualify as immediate relatives and therefore cannot pursue any of these visas.

Understanding the U.S. citizenship eligibility for IR-2 visa holders is essential for parents sponsoring their unmarried children to immigrate to the United States.

If you have any doubts or questions about the process, reach out to our law firm for a free consultation.

IR-2 Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section provides answers to common questions related to IR-2 visas.

My child is currently 21 years old. Can I still use this Visa Type?

Typically, an IR-2 is used for unmarried children under the age of 21. However, there is a recourse through the Child Status Protection Act (“CSPA”) for children who turned 21 while waiting for their case to be adjudicated. Learn more about the CSPA by visiting the USCIS website. If your child does not fall under CSPA, you will need to apply for F1 visa instead.

How Do I Petition for a Stepchild?

Provided that the sponsoring parent is a U.S. citizen, they can use an IR-2 Visa for their stepchild in the same manner as a biological child. However, the child’s biological parent and the stepparent must have married before the child’s 18th birthday. 

The stepparent does not have to adopt the stepchild to apply for an IR-2. Provided the stepchild is under 21 years old and unmarried, they are eligible as an immediate relative of the U.S. citizen stepparent. This means that they can apply for an IR-2 visa. If the stepchild is over the age of 21 years old or married, they do not qualify. 

I am adopting a child outside the U.S. but cannot live with them for two years. Are there other alternative visas?

Yes. There are alternative options depending on the country you are adopting from. Learn more about international adoptions by visiting the USCIS website.

I am a green card holder. Can I apply for an IR-2 for my children?

No. The IR-2 visa category is only available to U.S. citizens. If you are a green card holder and want to sponsor an unmarried child under 21, you can apply for F2A visa.

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Related Links:

I-130 Form, Petition for Alien Relative Guide

Form I-130 Instructions

Form I-130 is Approved – What to Do Next?