BorderProofBorderProof
Explore VisasCompare VisasCountry GuidesNewsAbout
Sign InFind A Visa
IR-2 — Unmarried Child (under 21) of U.S. Citizen
United StatesUnited States•North America
Open

IR-2 — Unmarried Child (under 21) of U.S. Citizen

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 months – 1.4 years

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

USD $1,185

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Immigrant visa for the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relative, no cap.

The IR-2 is a US immigrant visa for the unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen. Classified as an immediate relative, it carries no annual cap or visa bulletin wait — the child is admitted directly as a lawful permanent resident upon entry.

No job offer or education is required. The petitioner files Form I-130 ($625 online), followed by DS-260 ($325) and the $220 USCIS immigrant fee — around $1,170 total. Children under 18 residing with a US citizen parent may automatically acquire citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

This visa is ideal for minor children of US citizens living abroad who need a permanent, cap-exempt path to the US without employment or education prerequisites.

United States

Curious about life in the United States?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

Explore Guide

Cost Breakdown

I-130 (online)USD $625
DS-260USD $325
USCIS Immigrant FeeUSD $235
TotalUSD $1,185

Processing Time

I-130 adjudication10 months – 1.4 years
NVC + consular3–6 months

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Child must be unmarried and under 21

Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen

Qualifying relationship: biological, adopted, or stepchild

No annual cap — immediate relative

Child must be admissible or obtain waiver

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

I-130 with evidence of relationship

DS-260

Proof of U.S. citizenship

Child's birth certificate

Valid passport

Police certificates (if 16+)

Medical exam results

I-864 Affidavit of Support

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • No annual cap
  • May acquire citizenship automatically
  • Unrestricted work authorization
  • No per-country limits

Worth Knowing

  • Must remain unmarried throughout process
  • May age out if turning 21 before visa issued
  • Medical exam results have limited validity

Application Process

1

U.S. citizen files I-130 with USCIS

2

USCIS approves and forwards to NVC

3

NVC collects fees and requests DS-260

4

NVC schedules consular interview

5

Medical examination

6

Consular interview

7

Enter U.S. as LPR

8

Pay USCIS Immigrant Fee ($220)

Application Forms

I-130
Petition for Alien Relative
Fill online
DS-260
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application
Fill online
I-864
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
Fill online
DS-2054
Medical Examination for Immigrant or Refugee Applicant
Fill online

Related visas

Family visas in other countries

Ready to see if the IR-2 — Unmarried Child (under 21) of U.S. Citizen is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.

Start Visa Discovery