What happens if my child turns 21 while we’re waiting?

This situation is called “aging out,” and it’s a serious concern for many families. The Child Status Protection Act provides some relief. CSPA freezes your child’s age for immigration purposes under certain circumstances. The calculation depends on how long USCIS took to process your petition and how quickly your child takes the next steps. Every…

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Do stepchildren qualify for child visas?

Yes, stepchildren can immigrate as your children. You must have married their biological parent before your stepchild turned 18 years old. The marriage creates the legal parent-child relationship that immigration law recognizes. Your stepchild doesn’t need to live with you or depend on you financially. The timing of your marriage is what matters most. We’ve…

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What documents do we need to prove the parent-child relationship?

You’ll need your child’s birth certificate showing your name as the parent. The certificate must be an official government-issued document with raised seals or official stamps. We also need proof of your U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. For adopted children, you must provide the final adoption decree and proof that the adoption was finalized…

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Can my married child immigrate to the United States?

Married children cannot use the same visa process as unmarried children. U.S. citizens can petition for married sons and daughters, but they fall under the F3 preference category. Wait times currently stretch beyond 10 years for most countries. Your married child needs to remain married throughout the process. If they divorce before getting their green…

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