Adopting a child from another country is one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do, but it can also be overwhelming. Between figuring out legal steps, travel plans, and which visa even applies to your situation, there’s a lot to wrap your head around.
At Remitly, we know how deeply personal—and at times stressful—this journey can be. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand exactly what the IR-3 visa is, who it’s for, and how the process works. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in paperwork, we’re here to help make things a little clearer.
What is an IR-3 visa?
The IR-3 visa is a way for US citizens to bring home a child they’ve adopted from another country when the adoption has been finalized abroad and at least one parent (if they’re married) has seen the child in person before or during the adoption process. It’s commonly-used in international adoptions where the adoption is legally completed outside the US.
And here’s the really good news: Kids who enter the US on an IR-3 visa automatically become US citizens the moment they arrive, thanks to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000—as long as they are under 18 and residing in the legal and physical custody of their US citizen parent(s). No extra naturalization steps, no added paperwork later on.
For adoptive families, that’s huge. It means less stress, fewer legal hurdles, and more time to focus on settling in as a family.
Checking if the IR-3 is the right fit for your adoption
Not every international adoption fits neatly into one visa category, so it’s important to double-check whether the IR-3 is the right path for you.
What makes an adoption eligible for the IR-3 visa?
To qualify for an IR-3 visa, the adoption must be fully finalized in the child’s home country before coming to the US. That means the legal part of the adoption is already complete overseas.
If you’re married, at least one of you will need to have physically traveled to meet your child, either before or during the adoption process.
You’ll also need to make sure the adoption meets all US immigration guidelines, as well as your state’s specific rules. That typically includes completing a home study through a licensed adoption agency. This part helps ensure the child’s safety and well-being in their new home environment.
If the adoption wasn’t finalized abroad, or neither parent traveled to meet the child, that’s okay; there’s another route called the IR-4 visa that might apply instead. But if your situation checks all the boxes above, the IR-3 visa can be a smoother path to bringing your child home as a US citizen from day one.
What documents you’ll need
No immigration process is totally paperwork-free, and the IR-3 visa is no exception. But don’t worry, once you know what’s required, it’s a lot easier to tackle. The main thing is staying organized and knowing what to expect.
You’ll need:
- A finalized adoption decree from your child’s home country. That’s the legal proof that the adoption is official where it took place.
- A completed home study, conducted by a licensed agency. If your child is from a Hague Convention country, the agency must be Hague-accredited.
- Evidence that at least one parent has met the child in person. Physical contact is a key requirement for the IR-3. That could be through boarding passes, travel itineraries, photos, or even a notarized statement explaining when and where you met.
- Form I-600 (for non-Hague countries) or Form I-800 (for Hague countries), which is the official petition to classify your child as an immediate relative
- Your child’s immigration medical exam records, completed by a US-approved panel physician
- Passport-style photos of your child
- Your child’s birth certificate or a similar document that verifies their identity and age
Consider creating a digital folder (and maybe a backup one, too) to store all these documents. It’ll save you from last-minute scrambles and keep things way more manageable when it’s time to apply.
How to apply for the IR-3 visa
Getting an international adoption visa might feel like a mountain of paperwork, but once you break it down, it’s totally doable.
Step 1: File Form I-600A/I-800A
If you’re still in the early stages of the adoption process and haven’t been matched with a child yet, you’ll start by filing Form I-600A (for a child from a non-Hague country) or Form I-800A (for a child from a Hague country). This gives you pre-approval to adopt internationally.
It’s also when your home study comes into play; basically, a deep dive into your life to make sure everything’s in place for adoption. This must be submitted with the form, along with other supporting documents. USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) will also schedule fingerprinting as part of the process.
Step 2: Finalize the adoption abroad
Once you’ve been matched with a child, you’ll need to travel to their home country to complete the adoption according to that country’s laws. If you’re adopting as a married couple, at least one of you must travel and meet the child in person (unless the child’s home country requires both of you to travel).
Step 3: Submit Form I-600/I-800
After the adoption is finalized abroad, it’s time to submit Form I-600/I-800. This petition tells US immigration officials that your child qualifies as an “immediate relative,” which is what makes them eligible for the IR-3 visa. You’ll submit this along with documents like the adoption decree and proof that you met the child in person.
Step 4: Apply for the IR-3 visa at the US embassy or consulate
Once your petition is approved, you’ll move on to the visa application stage. This happens at the US embassy or consulate in your child’s country. You’ll fill out Form DS-260 (the official visa application), pay the required fees, and attend an interview. It’s totally normal to feel nervous about this step, but just being organized and knowing what’s coming can help you feel a lot more confident.
Step 5: Schedule a medical exam for your child
Every adopted child applying for a visa needs a medical exam by a doctor approved by the US embassy. The results are sent directly to the consulate handling your case.
Step 6: Receive the visa and travel home
Once everything’s in place and the visa is approved, your child’s passport will come back with the IR-3 visa inside. That’s your official green light to travel together to the US. And the moment your child enters the country with an IR-3 visa, they automatically become a US citizen.
Common challenges and how to handle them
The IR-3 adoption process is a beautiful but complex journey. While there’s no magic wand to make the paperwork disappear, knowing what to expect can save you a lot of stress down the line.
IR-3 vs. IR-4 visa
One of the most common points of confusion is figuring out whether you need an IR-3 or IR-4 visa. The IR-3 is for families who’ve finalized the adoption abroad and at least one of the parents has physically met the child in person before or during the adoption process.
If neither parent traveled or the adoption wasn’t legally complete overseas, you’re probably looking at the IR-4 route instead. IR-4 would also apply if only one of the parents in a married couple is named in the adoption paperwork.
It’s okay to feel unsure at first, but double-checking early with your agency or an immigration attorney can save you from having to backtrack later.
Missing or incomplete paperwork
We get it, keeping track of every form, stamp, and signature can feel like a full-time job. But forgetting something (even something small, like a travel receipt or notarized photo) can delay your child’s visa approval.
A good rule of thumb is to make a checklist and treat it like gold. And don’t be afraid to lean on your adoption agency—they’re pros at catching the little things that often get overlooked.
Home study hold-ups
A lot of parents are surprised by how long the home study takes. If your adoption is from a Hague country, the home study must meet additional standards. Starting this early in your adoption journey is key.
It helps to choose an agency that knows international adoptions inside and out. Ask questions up front about how long their reports typically take, and make sure they’re fully accredited so there aren’t any last-minute surprises.
Feeling nervous about the visa interview
Visa interviews sound intimidating, but they’re usually straightforward if you’re prepared. The consular officer may ask questions about your adoption process, your documents, or your travel.
Bring all your originals, plus copies of everything, just in case something gets misplaced. And try to keep in mind: the person on the other side of that desk is just doing their job, they’re not trying to trip you up. Being honest, organized, and calm goes a long way.
What happens after the visa is approved?
Once your child’s IR-3 visa is approved and you’re finally back home in the US, you might be wondering—what now?
Visa validity
The IR-3 visa is good for a single entry into the US; that’s it. Once your child arrives on US soil, the visa has officially done its job, and your child’s status changes right away.
No renewal needed
You don’t have to worry about renewing anything. The IR-3 visa instantly grants your child permanent resident status and automatic US citizenship the moment they enter the country.
What are the benefits?
For starters, your child officially becomes a US citizen—yes, right away (provided they meet the conditions). Not only does that mean full legal rights and protections, but you’ll also receive a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS as proof. From there, you can apply for their US passport and Social Security number, just like you would for any American-born child.
If the adoption was finalized in the child’s country of origin, you’re not legally required to re-adopt or “domesticate” the adoption in a US court. Some families choose to anyway, especially if it helps with paperwork at the state level or for extra peace of mind. But from a federal standpoint, it’s not required.
The bottom line is that the IR-3 is one of the most straightforward and secure visa options in the adoption process. It helps you skip a lot of red tape and ensures that your child’s transition into their new life in the US is as smooth and official as possible.
FAQs
What’s the difference between IR-3 and IR-4 visas?
The IR-3 is for children whose adoptions were finalized abroad and who were met in person by at least one of the parents (if married) before or during the adoption process. The IR-4 is used when the adoption is completed in the US after the child enters the country, or if only one of the married couple is named in the adoption.
Does the IR-3 visa guarantee citizenship?
Yes—if all legal conditions are met. The child must be under 18, the adoption must have been finalized abroad, at least one parent must be a US citizen, and the child must live in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent.
How long does the process take?
Timelines vary depending on the country, your adoption agency, and the embassy processing. Expect several months at least after the adoption is finalized.
Can I get a passport for my child right away?
Yes. Once your child has arrived in the US and received their Certificate of Citizenship, you can apply for a US passport.