Bring Your Child Home - Understanding the Child Petition Process
Reuniting with your child is your top priority, and we know how overwhelming the immigration process can feel. That’s why we’re here to guide you. A Child Petition is the process that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to bring their children to live in the United States.
- Your immigration status (U.S. citizen or permanent resident)
- Your child’s age
- Whether your child is married or unmarried
For U.S. citizens, certain categories are considered immediate relatives and have no waiting period beyond standard processing. For permanent residents, petitions fall under family preference categories, which often involve waiting periods.
Types of Child Petitions
For U.S. Citizens:
- IR2: Unmarried children under 21 (no waiting period)
- F1: Unmarried children over 21 (waiting period applies)
- F3: Married children of any age (waiting period applies)
For Permanent Residents:
- F2A: Unmarried children under 21 (shorter waiting period)
- F2B: Unmarried children over 21 (longer waiting period)
Eligibility Requirements
Who Qualifies as a "Child"?
To qualify as a “child” under U.S. immigration law, your child must be:
- Your biological child, stepchild, or legally adopted child
- Unmarried (for IR2, F2A categories)
- Under 21 years old (for immediate relative categories)
Special Considerations
- Age Protection (CSPA): The Child Status Protection Act can sometimes “freeze” a child’s age to prevent them from aging out due to processing delays.
- Stepchildren: You must have married the child’s biological parent before the child’s 18th birthday.
- Adopted Children: Adoption must be finalized before the child’s 16th birthday (or 18th if adopted with a sibling).
Financial Requirements
You must show that you can financially support your child at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines by filing the Affidavit of Support.
Why Families Choose Us for Child Petitions?
Nothing matters more than being together with your child. We understand the stress and uncertainty that come with immigration, and our mission is to make the process simple, clear, and successful — so you can focus on your family, not the paperwork.
- Extensive experience with Child Petitions
- Expert preparation of your Child Petition Package
- Affidavit of Support preparation and guidance
- Document review and organization guidance
- National Visa Center (NVC) processing support
- Embassy interview preparation
- Medical examination guidance
- Case tracking from start to finish
- Money-back guarantee if denied
- Medical examination guidance
Your child’s future with you in the United States is our top priority. We’ve helped thousands of families reunite, and we’ll do the same for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)?
The CSPA helps protect children from losing eligibility if they turn 21 while waiting for their case to be processed. It allows certain children to subtract processing delays from their age for immigration purposes.
How long do child petitions take?
Processing times vary:
- IR2 cases (unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens) have no waiting period beyond standard processing, usually 12–18 months.
- Preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3) can involve waiting periods that range from several years to over 20 years, depending on category and country.
Can I petition for my stepchild?
Yes, but you must have married the child’s parent before the child turned 18.
What if my child gets married after I file the petition?
If your child marries before immigrating, their eligibility may change. For example, a petition f iled for an unmarried child may convert to a married child category, which often has longer waiting times. In some cases, the petition may no longer qualify
Can I petition for my adopted child?
Yes, as long as the adoption was completed before the child’s 16th birthday (or 18th if with a sibling). You must also have had legal and physical custody for at least two years.
Still have a question? Ask your question here
Our Child Petition Package
Complete Child Petition Package Preparation
Affidavit of Support preparation and guidance
Document review and organization guidance
NVC processing support and guidance
Embassy interview preparation
Medical examination guidance and support
Online case tracking
- Child Petition Package Prep
- Affidavit of Support Prep
- Document Review & Guidance
- Priority Date Monitoring
- NVC Processing Support
- Medical exam guidance & support
- Embassy Interview Prep