United States•North AmericaIR-3 — Orphan Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen
At a Glance
6 months – 1 year
USD $1,245–$2,165
Varies by filing options
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Living in United States
Overview
Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen, with full and final adoption completed overseas.
The IR-3 is a US immigrant visa covering non-Hague orphan adoptions completed abroad. Petitioners must be US citizens; single filers must be 25+. Child must be under 16.
The child enters as a lawful permanent resident and acquires automatic US citizenship. Fees: $920 (I-600) + $325 (DS-260); immigrant fee waived.
This visa is ideal for US citizens who have finalized a non-Hague international adoption and want to bring the child home as a permanent resident with automatic citizenship.
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.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (LPRs cannot petition)
Petitioner must be at least 25 years old if unmarried
Child must be under 16 at time of filing (or under 18 if sibling of previously adopted child)
Adoption must be full, final, and irrevocable under the foreign country's law
Country of adoption must NOT be a Hague Convention country (use IH-3 for Hague countries)
Child must qualify as an 'orphan' under U.S. immigration law (INA definition)
At least one U.S. citizen petitioner must have physically seen the child before or during adoption proceedings
Petitioner must pass a home study and suitability assessment
Petitioner must pass background checks and fingerprinting
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Child's original birth certificate with certified English translation
Final foreign adoption decree with certified English translation
Proof of biological parental rights termination (death certificates, abandonment orders, court orders)
Home study report completed by a USCIS-authorized adoption service provider
Evidence that child qualifies as an orphan under INA
Medical examination results from a USCIS-approved panel physician
Two passport-style photos of the child
Petitioner's U.S. citizenship proof (U.S. passport or birth certificate)
Marriage certificate (if petitioner is married)
Prior divorce decrees (if applicable)
Completed Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Child enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident — no separate green card application needed
- Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, the child automatically acquires U.S. citizenship upon entry to the U.S. — no naturalization application or fees required
- USCIS automatically issues a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560) at no cost
- No annual quota or cap — IR-3 is an immediate relative visa, exempt from numerical limits
- Child is immediately authorized to work upon entry as an LPR
- USCIS immigrant fee ($235) is waived for children entering on IR-3 visas
Worth Knowing
- Only available for adoptions from non-Hague Convention countries; adoptions from Hague member countries use the IH-3 process with Forms I-800/I-800A
- If the adopting parent(s) did not physically observe the child before or during the adoption proceedings, the child receives an IR-4 visa instead (no automatic citizenship upon entry)
- Processing times can be lengthy (6–12+ months) and vary significantly by country and USCIS service center
- Some countries have suspended or closed international adoption programs; qualification depends on the specific country
- Home study must be completed by a USCIS-authorized adoption service provider
- Children must be under 16 at time of petition filing
- The full foreign adoption must be legally final before applying for IR-3 (as opposed to IR-4, which allows finalization in a U.S. state court)
Application Process
File Form I-600A (Advance Processing of Orphan Petition) with USCIS to establish suitability and complete home study — optional but recommended before identifying a child
Identify a qualifying orphan child in a non-Hague Convention country and complete the full, final adoption under foreign law
File Form I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as Immediate Relative) with USCIS or at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
USCIS reviews I-600 petition; consular officer completes Form I-604 (Determination on Child for Adoption) to verify orphan status
Complete medical examination with a USCIS-approved panel physician in the child's country
Submit Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) at the National Visa Center and pay the $325 visa processing fee
Attend visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the child's country
Receive IR-3 visa; child enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident
Application Forms
Go to application portal| I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition | Fill online |
| I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative | Fill online |
| I-604 Determination on Child for Adoption | — |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in United States
Family visas in other countries
Living in United States
Ready to see if the IR-3 — Orphan Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery