IR-3 Visa

The two recognized and acceptable modes of adoption by the U.S government are Hague country convention adoptions and non-Hague country convention adoptions. The Hague adoption convention is an international treaty that protects the interest of the adoptive child, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Ireland is a preferred Hague convention country. Hence, a child or family member from Ireland that fulfils other requirements or supporting documentation for family reunification is eligible for IR-3 Visa.

Other requirements for eligibility include:

• The child must fulfil the eligibility status under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
• The child must have got all necessary consent for adoption
• The child must be below 21 years of age.
• The child must be habitually resident in Ireland
• The U.S citizen parent who adopted the child must be willing to reside with them.
• The US citizen must possess an authentic US address or permanent residence
• The US Adoptive parent must be habitually living in the USA
• The US Adoptive parent must be willing to carry out the eligibility test the U.S citizen

However, suppose the US adoptive parent has adopted the child already and had lived with them for not less than 2 years. In that case, the child will automatically be eligible for IR-2 entry Visa applications, and such a child may not need to go through the IR-3 application process.

1. Choose your favourite service provider: The first thing you need to do is choose your favourite service provider, which must be approved by an immigration officer in the United States. The reason for choosing the US-approved service provider is to make sure you follow all stipulated guidelines.
2. Be approved for adoption eligibility: To get this done, file Form I-800A, Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a conventional country (Ireland). The form further ascertains your eligibility as an applicant capable of adopting the child. To file this form, you will complete a background check, home study, and fingerprint check. When all of the checks are complete and ascertained, the USCIS will ascertain the age, the number of children, and the age range of children you can adopt.
3. Apply for adoption: after completing the two steps above, you can apply for the adoption of a child in Ireland. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) will review your document and endorsement from USCIS and look for an eligible child you can adopt. When the AAI has found the child(ren) that fits into the eligibility criteria you submitted, they will send you the referral document. This document will have the background, age, family history, medical history, and any child’s special needs. The file you will be given will also have the signed documents by the appropriate person(s), which could be the biological parent or adoption centre’s consent.
4. Confirm Child’s eligibility: To get this done, tender a petition to USCIS by filing form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. You need to complete all of the listed steps and ensure that you prove you are yet to obtain adoption or guardianship of the child. The purpose of all of these is to make sure a United States citizen does not adopt a child or children that are not eligible for migration according to its laws. As soon as USCIS approves your petition, you can proceed to the next step.
5. Tender Form DS-260, Online Immigration Visa Application for submission: This form should be submitted to the Consulate of Ireland or the US embassy. The form will require you to tender the child’s background details, health, and other important details about the child. This form, after completion, must be submitted online. You should ensure you collect a confirmation letter for submission, and this letter will be proof that you submitted the confirmation letter.
6. Issuance of article 5/17: when all procedures have been properly endorsed, the U.S embassy or Irish consulate will issue you an article 5/17 letter. This letter confirms or proves that the child is eligible to migrate into the U.S. It is after receiving this letter that you can move on to obtaining the adoption or guardianship order,
7. Completing the IR-3 Visa Application: this is the next line. You will have to complete the IR-3 visa application for your child. You achieve this completion by submitting all the required supporting documents, such as the child’s birth certificate or a document stating the child’s age and passport. Also, you will have to schedule an appointment for an interview at the U.S embassy.
8. Prepare and attend the interview: when the interview date is communicated. Prepare all documents and ensure you do not forget any. To not forget any document, put all required documents in a file. Set your reminder for the interview and attend the interview. In this interview, ensure you tender your final adoption or guardianship order to the officials on the ground.