IH-4 — Hague Convention Orphan to be Adopted in U.S.

The IH-4 is a US immigrant visa for children from Hague Convention countries who enter the US before their adoption is finalized. Unlike the IH-3, adoption is completed in a US state court after arrival, not abroad.

Parents file Form I-800A ($920) for suitability and Form I-800 ($920) to petition for the child, using an accredited Adoption Service Provider. DS-260 costs $325. The child must be under 16 (or under 18 via sibling exception); unmarried petitioners must be at least 25. The child enters as a lawful permanent resident.

This visa is ideal for US citizen parents adopting a Hague Convention country child whose adoption will be finalized in a US state court rather than abroad.