<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="family-visas" data-vt-code="IR-2"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/family-visas">Family</a><span>›</span><span>IR-2</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Immigrant</span><span>Immediate relative</span><span>No annual cap</span><span>Form I-130</span><span>Under 21, unmarried</span></div> <h1><span>IR-2</span> Child of a U.S. Citizen</h1> <p class="vt-lede">An immigrant visa for the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen, including stepchildren and certain adopted children; CR-2 is the conditional version for stepchildren through a recent marriage.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: USCIS · Department of State</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/ir-2">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">After arrival</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">After you arrive</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>Who files</dt><dd>U.S. citizen parent or stepparent, Form I-130</dd></div><div><dt>Child’s age and status</dt><dd>Under 21 and unmarried</dd></div><div><dt>Visa numbers</dt><dd>Always available (immediate relative)</dd></div><div><dt>Petition fee</dt><dd><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$675 paper / $625 online</a></dd></div><div><dt>Visa fee</dt><dd><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$325</a></dd></div><div><dt>Age-out protection</dt><dd>Age frozen on the I-130 filing date (CSPA)</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>Entry restrictions for 39 nationalities.</strong> Under <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proclamation 10998</a> (effective Jan. 1, 2026), immigrant entry is suspended for nationals of all 39 listed countries and for Palestinian Authority travel-document holders, and family members of people in the United States are no longer a categorical exception. Remaining exceptions include dual nationals travelling on a non-listed country’s passport and case-by-case national-interest exceptions; the proclamation applies to people outside the United States without a valid visa on the effective date. A separate State Department pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries (from Jan. 21, 2026) is, per the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department</a>, no longer in effect as of Aug. 21, 2026 following the court’s order in CLINIC v. Rubio.</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, so they never wait for a visa number. The IR-2 covers a citizen’s biological child, a stepchild if the marriage creating the relationship took place before the child turned 18, and an adopted child who meets the 2-year custody and residence rule.</p> <p class="b"><strong>CR-2</strong> is the conditional classification for a stepchild when the parent’s marriage to the citizen is less than 2 years old at visa issuance (<a href="https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9 FAM 502.2</a>). A CR-2 child receives a 2-year Green Card and must remove conditions with Form I-751, usually on the parent’s petition.</p> <p class="b">The Child Status Protection Act freezes an immediate-relative child’s age on the date the I-130 is filed, so a child under 21 at filing does not age out — but the child must stay unmarried (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act-cspa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>).</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">The child must be</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Unmarried and under 21 (age as of I-130 filing, under CSPA).</li><li>The citizen’s biological child (additional evidence rules apply to a child born out of wedlock petitioned for by the father), or</li><li>A stepchild whose parent married the citizen before the child’s 18th birthday, or</li><li>An adopted child: adoption finalized before age 16 (18 for a birth sibling) and at least 2 years of legal and physical custody before the I-130 is filed (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/adoption/bringing-your-internationally-adopted-child-to-the-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>).</li></ul> <h3 class="s">Financial sponsorship</h3> <ul class="b"><li>The petitioner must file Form I-864 and meet 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines for the household — e.g. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$34,150</a> for a household of three in the 48 contiguous states under the guidelines effective March 1, 2026 — or use assets or a joint sponsor.</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">IR-2</th><td>Permanent residence; 10-year Green Card</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">CR-2</th><td>Conditional residence for 2 years, then Form I-751</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Citizenship</th><td>A biological or qualifying adopted child under 18 living in the citizen parent’s legal and physical custody acquires citizenship automatically under INA 320; stepchildren do not</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">USCIS fees from the 10/01/26 fee schedule; State Department fees from 22 CFR 22.1.</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-130 petition</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$675 paper / $625 online</a></td><td>U.S. citizen</td><td>One petition per beneficiary.</td></tr> <tr><td>Immigrant visa application fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$325</a></td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Immediate relative and family preference applications, 22 CFR 22.1 item 32(a); paid through the National Visa Center.</td></tr> <tr><td>Affidavit of Support review</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$120</a></td><td>Sponsor</td><td>Charged only when the I-864 is reviewed domestically (22 CFR 22.1 item 34).</td></tr> <tr><td>USCIS Immigrant Fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$235</a></td><td>Immigrant</td><td>Paid online after visa issuance; the Green Card is not produced until it is paid.</td></tr> <tr><td>Panel-physician medical exam</td><td class="amt">Varies</td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Paid directly to the panel physician.</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-485 (if in the U.S.)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,440 paper / $1,390 online</a></td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Instead of the visa and Immigrant Fee; $950/$900 for a child under 14 filing with a parent. Only the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-485" target="_blank" rel="noopener">09/18/26 edition</a> is accepted for filings on or after Sept. 18, 2026.</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship) costs <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,385 paper / $1,335 online</a>, with no fee for certain adopted children. The Visa Integrity Fee applies only to nonimmigrant visas.</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>Visa number wait</dt><dd>None</dd><dd class="n">Immediate relatives are not subject to the Visa Bulletin.</dd></div></dl> <p class="b">Times vary; see <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">egov.uscis.gov/processing-times</a> for I-130 times.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">File Form I-130</div><div class="tx">The citizen parent files one I-130 per child with proof of the parent-child relationship.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">National Visa Center</div><div class="tx">Pay the $325 visa fee and submit Form DS-260, civil documents and Form I-864.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">Medical exam and interview</div><div class="tx">The child attends a panel-physician exam and the consular interview (with a parent if a minor).</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Pay the Immigrant Fee and travel</div><div class="tx">Pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee and enter the United States on the immigrant visa.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Green Card or citizenship evidence</div><div class="tx">USCIS mails a Green Card; eligible children may then apply for a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600).</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>Relationship evidence</h3><ul><li><span>Child’s birth certificate naming the petitioning parent.</span></li><li><span>For a stepchild: the marriage certificate showing the marriage before age 18, and proof prior marriages ended.</span></li><li><span>For an adopted child: the final adoption decree and evidence of 2 years of legal and physical custody.</span></li><li><span>Proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship.</span></li></ul></div><div><h3>For the visa</h3><ul><li><span>Passport, Form DS-260 confirmation, police certificates where required, medical report, and Form I-864 with financial evidence.</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">None. An IR-2 child cannot have derivatives; a married child of a citizen falls into F3 and an unmarried son or daughter 21 or older into F1.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">After you arrive</h2> <p class="b">IR-2 children are permanent residents on admission; some also become citizens at that moment.</p> <div class="vt-gsteps"><div><div class="k">Step 1</div><div class="tt">Green Card by mail</div><div class="tx">USCIS issues a Green Card to every IR-2 child, because the category includes stepchildren who do not acquire citizenship (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/adoption/after-your-child-enters-the-united-states/us-citizenship-for-an-adopted-child" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>).</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 2</div><div class="tt">Certificate of Citizenship</div><div class="tx">A child who met INA 320 on admission can file Form N-600 for proof of citizenship.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 3</div><div class="tt">CR-2 conditions</div><div class="tx">File Form I-751, normally included on the parent’s petition, in the 90 days before the card expires.</div></div></div> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/ir-3"><div class="c">IR-3 / IR-4</div><div class="n">Orphan adopted by a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">Intercountry adoption route without the 2-year custody rule.</div></a><a href="/visa/f1"><div class="c">F1</div><div class="n">Unmarried son or daughter of a citizen, 21+</div><div class="tx">Once the child is 21 (after CSPA).</div></a><a href="/visa/f3"><div class="c">F3</div><div class="n">Married son or daughter of a citizen</div><div class="tx">If the child marries.</div></a><a href="/visa/f2a"><div class="c">F2A</div><div class="n">Child of a permanent resident</div><div class="tx">If the parent is not a citizen.</div></a><a href="/visa/cr-1"><div class="c">CR-1</div><div class="n">Conditional spouse of a citizen</div><div class="tx">The parent’s visa when the marriage is recent.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>What if the child turns 21 during processing?</summary><p>For immediate relatives, CSPA freezes the age on the date the I-130 is filed. A child under 21 then stays an immediate relative if unmarried.</p></details><details><summary>Can a citizen petition for a stepchild?</summary><p>Yes, if the marriage to the child’s parent took place before the child’s 18th birthday.</p></details><details><summary>Does an IR-2 child become a citizen automatically?</summary><p>A biological or qualifying adopted child under 18 who resides in the citizen parent’s legal and physical custody acquires citizenship under INA 320. Stepchildren do not, so USCIS issues Green Cards to all IR-2 children.</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-130" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · I-130, Petition for Alien Relative</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act-cspa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/adoption/after-your-child-enters-the-united-states/us-citizenship-for-an-adopted-child" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted Child</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · 9 FAM 502.2 — Family-Based IV Classifications</span><span>fam.state.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/01/26)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 22 CFR 22.1 — Schedule of fees for consular services</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>White House</strong> · Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals</span><span>whitehouse.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Aug 31, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>New Form I-864 edition (08/24/26) required from Oct. 1, 2026.</strong> USCIS published a new edition of the Affidavit of Support with a credit-report privacy release. After a 30-day grace period, USCIS accepts only the 08/24/26 edition for filings postmarked or submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2026. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 24, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Court enjoins USCIS adjudication holds for nationals of 39 countries.</strong> In Red Eagle Law v. Edlow (N.D. Cal.), the court enjoined PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194 and certified a class; USCIS says it will adjudicate covered applications in the normal course while litigation continues. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/recent-court-order-on-hold-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 21, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>75-country immigrant visa issuance pause no longer in effect.</strong> The State Department paused immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries from Jan. 21, 2026, citing public-charge review. Following the court’s order in CLINIC v. Rubio, the State Department says the pause is no longer in effect as of Aug. 21, 2026. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jul 20, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>DHS rescinds the 2022 public charge rule (effective Sept. 18, 2026).</strong> Final rule restoring broader officer discretion in public charge determinations. It applies to applications for admission made, and adjustment applications postmarked or submitted, on or after Sept. 18, 2026. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14539/public-charge-ground-of-inadmissibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 5, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Court vacates USCIS hold policies on pending applications.</strong> In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS (D.R.I.), the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA-2025-26 (final judgment June 11, 2026). USCIS says it will follow the order pending possible further review. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/court-order-on-hold-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Dec 16, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions to 39 countries (effective Jan. 1, 2026).</strong> Suspends immigrant entry for nationals of every listed country and removes the broad family-based immigrant visa exception that Proclamation 10949 had contained; remaining exceptions are narrow, plus case-by-case national-interest exceptions. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 1, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>USCIS family-based petition guidance.</strong> Policy Manual update on screening, interviews and decisions for family-based petitions; clarifies that USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear if a beneficiary is otherwise removable, because an I-130 grants no status. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-regarding-family-based-immigration-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 4, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from 19 countries (effective June 9, 2025).</strong> Originally exempted immediate-relative immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of the relationship, and adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4). Those exceptions were superseded by Proclamation 10998. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Apr 1, 2024</span><div class="x"><strong>USCIS fee rule takes effect.</strong> The fee schedule final rule (89 FR 6194, published Jan. 31, 2024) set current family-based fees, including separate online and paper fees for Form I-130 and folding biometrics into the filing fees. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/31/2024-01427/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/ir-2">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Family", "item": "https://visatypes.com/family-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "IR-2", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/ir-2"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "What if the child turns 21 during processing?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "For immediate relatives, CSPA freezes the age on the date the I-130 is filed. A child under 21 then stays an immediate relative if unmarried."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Can a citizen petition for a stepchild?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, if the marriage to the child’s parent took place before the child’s 18th birthday."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Does an IR-2 child become a citizen automatically?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "A biological or qualifying adopted child under 18 who resides in the citizen parent’s legal and physical custody acquires citizenship under INA 320. Stepchildren do not, so USCIS issues Green Cards to all IR-2 children."}}]}]</script> <script>(function(){var l=[].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('.vt-toc a'));if(!l.length||!window.IntersectionObserver)return;var m={};l.forEach(function(a){m[a.getAttribute('href').slice(1)]=a});var cur=null;function on(id){if(cur)cur.classList.remove('on');cur=m[id];if(cur)cur.classList.add('on')}on(l[0].getAttribute('href').slice(1));var io=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(x){if(x.isIntersecting)on(x.target.id)})},{rootMargin:'0px 0px -70% 0px'});Object.keys(m).forEach(function(id){var el=document.getElementById(id);el&&io.observe(el)})})();</script>