IR-2 Visa Explained
What is the IR-2 / Immediate Relative Visas?
Immediate relative visas allow US citizens to reunite with relatives who live outside the country. Only spouses, children, and parents are included. Other family members, such as siblings, grandparents, or cousins, are not eligible for these visas and cannot apply.
The family member who is granted an immediate related visa receives a Green Card.
The main advantage of immediate relative visas is that there is no yearly limit. Other visas, such as family and work visas, have yearly limits. Applicants will face longer processing periods as a result of this. Immediate family visas do not have this restriction, thus they are preferable if you want to reunite with your family in the United States.
Once you have met the requirements for an immediate family visa, you will not have to wait long for your application to be approved.
What are the Different Types of Visas for Immediate Relatives?
This category, like other types of US immigrant visas, includes a variety of options. The following are the several sorts of immediate relative visas:
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IR1 visa for the spouse of a US citizen;
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IR2 visa for the unmarried children under 21 years old of a US citizen;
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IR3 visa for children adopted abroad by a US citizen;
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IR4 visa for children adopted within the US by a US citizen;
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IR5 visa for parents of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old.
What Are the Requirements for the IR-2 visa?
The requirements for the IR-2 visa are:
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For their child, the US citizen must have a valid birth or adoption certificate;
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A valid US address is required for a US citizen.
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The child must be financially supported by a US citizen.
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The child must be under the age of 21 and single.
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If the child has already been adopted by a US citizen, they must have lived with him or her in a foreign nation for at least two years to be eligible for this visa.
How to apply for the IR-2 visa?
You must complete a set of steps to apply for the IR2 Visa. You do not need to wait for priority dates because the amount of IR2 granted each year is not limited. The USCIS requires you to submit a petition. You can complete the application procedure by visiting a US Embassy once it has been approved. Even if it is not an official necessity, the youngster should be accompanied by someone because they are a minor. The following are the steps of applying for an IR2 Visa:
The DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, is the first step you should take. This is required for all immigrant visas. The form is available through the Consular Electronic Application Consular or CEAC portal. To log in and continue with the application, you'll need your NVC case number. The stages to completing DS-260 are as follows:
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Select "Petitioner" from the drop-down option and enter your NVC case number and Invoice ID number.
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Go to the "Getting Started" section from there.
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Provide the personal information of the child for whom you are applying for an IR-2 visa. Full name, date of birth, gender, and city of birth will be requested.
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Submit details about your travel documents, such as a passport. When entering the United States, you (or your child, in this situation) must present this paperwork.
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include your current physical address, phone numbers, and email address. You can also include any social media IDs that the youngster may have.
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Provide family information in the next section, such as the names of your parents, spouse, or children. In this scenario, husband and child are irrelevant because the child is intended to be unmarried.
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Provide information on the child's previous visits to the United States. If not, the section can be left blank.
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Employment experience or educational degrees, include them in the next area.
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In the penultimate portion, you'll be asked a series of random questions about security and background checks.
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Respond appropriately. if applicable, submit your Social Security Number.
Complete Form I-864
Form I-864, must be filled out and sent to the child. This must be included in his application. This is essentially a declaration that you are financially responsible for the child in the US.
Medical Examination and Vaccination
Anyone entering the United States must pass medical and immunization screenings. As a result, the child must undergo a medical examination and present documentation demonstrating that he or she has received the essential vaccinations. The medical examination must be performed by a licensed doctor who has been approved by the US Embassy. These reports will be sent to the NVC.
Gather All The Documents
You'll need to provide the NVC other documentation in addition to the medical examination report.
The section below contains a complete list of documents. Please consult them to learn which documents to gather and submit.
The NVC will organize an interview at the Embassy once they have received and approved the paperwork. The child and his guardian must arrive on time for the interview.
The child will receive an NVC packet containing their visas after the application is approved. They can now lawfully travel to the United States and stay with their parents. However, you must not open the packet. This can only be unlocked by an immigration official at a US port of entry. If the child's passport is discovered to be open, he or she may be denied entry into the nation.
Required Documents for IR-2 Visa
list of documents you need to submit along with the IR-2 visa application:
1. A passport that is valid for at least six months.
2. The US Petitioner's completed and signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
3. Confirmation page for the DS-260
Reports of medical examinations
5. Two pictures taken recently
6. Certificate of court and criminal record
7. If you served in the military, your military records
IR-2 Visa Cost
There are many costs to cover for this application. Those are:
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I-130 filing fee of $535
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DS-260 processing fee of $325
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Medical examination fees as charged by the doctor
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USCIS immigration fees of $220
IR-2 Visa Processing Time
An IR-2 visa might take anywhere from 3 to 12 months to process depending on when you apply. It is dependent on the season and the applicant's circumstances. There is no need to wait because there is no annual cap.
Conclusion