Read part one here
IR-5 visa
The IR5 Visa is a Family Based Green Card that is designed for parents of U.S citizens who are at least 21-years-old.
The requirements for the IR-5 visa are:
- The US citizen must prove a relationship to their parent with a valid birth certificate;
- The US citizen’s parent must be living in a foreign country;
- The US citizen must be at least 21 years old;
- The US citizen must be financially stable to support the parent until they find a job;
- The US citizen must have a valid US address.
Application Process
Since these visas are quite different, they also have different application procedures. Despite the differences, they all start from the petition of the US citizen. The applicant in the foreign country cannot start applying on their own. Based on the five types of visas, there are two more similar application procedures. The process for IR-1, IR-2, and IR-5 visas is similar and the process for IR-3 and IR-4 visas is similar.
Process For Ir-1, Ir-2
- Step 1: File the Petition; U.S. citizen submits Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relatives) to USCIS for their family member (spouse, child, or parent).USCIS processes the application and forwards it to the National Visa Center (NVC), which assigns a case number and sends instructions to the applicant.
- Step 2: File Form DS-260; The applicant (spouse, child, or parent) completes Form DS-260 online, the official immigrant visa application form. Minor applicants may receive assistance, and the applicant gets a confirmation page.
- Step 3: Complete Medical Exam and Vaccination; The applicant follows NVC instructions for mandatory medical exams and vaccinations, typically conducted by a licensed doctor or hospital.
- Step 4: Compile Supporting Documents; The applicant submits supporting documents to meet visa requirements, including a valid passport, Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), Form DS-260 confirmation page, medical records, photographs, court records, and other relevant documents.
- Step 5: Attend the Interview; The U.S. Embassy invites the applicant for an interview, during which they inquire about the application and background, ultimately determining whether to grant the visa.
- Step 6: Receive NVC Packet and Travel to the U.S.’ If the visa is approved, the applicant receives another package from the NVC, which they should not open.
- The U.S. port of entry official will open the package and decide whether to admit the applicant into the country or not.
Application process for IR-3 and IR-4 visas
- The application process for IR-3 and IR-4 visas can be complex, with variations depending on whether the adoption occurs in a Hague or Non-Hague country. USCIS approval is a prerequisite, and the steps can be summarized as follows:
- USCIS Approval: The U.S. citizen must first obtain USCIS approval for the adoption.
- Form DS-260: After USCIS approval, the U.S. citizen submits Form DS-260 on behalf of the adopted child. If the Embassy approves this form, the adoption process can proceed.
- IR-3 Visa: In cases where the adoption takes place in a foreign country, and the Embassy approves the application, the child is granted an IR-3 visa.
- IR-4 Visa: If the adoption occurs within the United States, the child is granted an IR-4 visa.
Visa fees
Because their application processes are different, the fees for immediate family visas are also different. The fees for the IR-1, IR-2, and IR-5 visas are:
- Form I-130 filing fee – $535;
- Processing fee for the Form DS-260 – $230;
- USCIS Immigrant Fee – $220;
- Medical examination and vaccination fees;
- Fees to get and translate all the supporting documents.
- The fees for the IR-3 and IR-4 visas are:
- Form I-800/I-800A filing fee – $775;
- Form DS-260 processing fees – $230;
- Form I-600/I-600A filing fee – $725;
- Translation fees;
- Fees to get supporting documents.
`Immediate Relative (IR) visas are designed for U.S. citizens looking to reunite with family members living abroad, including spouses, children, and parents. These visas grant Green Cards, allowing family members to permanently move to the U.S., work, and attend school without requiring Employment Authorization Documents.
