Us Citizen & Green Card Holder Apply For Child Green Card, Step by Step Process & Detailed Checklist (Updated 2021)
Child green card refers to the application for children of US citizens or green cardholders. Citizens can apply for a single child and married children. Green card holders can only apply for a single child, not a married child. If someone applies for a green card, the single child gets married during the application process and immediately loses eligibility and the application becomes invalid. Singles include people who have never been married, as well as people who have been divorced.
Can children of green card holders get a green card?
Green card holders can petition for a green card for their unmarried child (no matter what age). The unmarried children under 21 of green card holder’s unmarried child can get a green card at the same time as derivatives.
TIP: Child refers to a biological child, stepchild, and adopted child.
| U.S citizen | Under 21, single | IR/ CR | Visa number available |
| Under 21, married | F-3 | Wait Visa number | |
| over 21, single | F-1 | Wait Visa number | |
| over 21, married | F-3 | Wait Visa number | |
| Green card holder | Under 21, single | F-2A/CR | Wait Visa number |
| over 21, single | F-2B | Wait Visa number | |
| Under 21, married | N /A | N/A | |
| over 21, married | N/A | N/A |
IR-2/CR-2:U.S. citizen，Under 21 years of age，Single
IR-3: U.S. citizens, Orphans adopted, Outside of U.S.
IR-4: U.S. citizen, Orphan adopted, In the U.S.
F-1: U.S. citizens, Over the age of 21, single;
F-3: U.S. citizens, Over the age of 21, Married.
F-2A: Green card holder, Under 21 years of age, Single
F-2B: Green card holder, Over 21 years of age, Single
Tip: For the IR category, there is no need to wait for the visa number available.
For the F category, you need to wait for the visa number available.
General requirements for US citizens or green card holder to apply for child green cards:
1. Applicant is a US citizen or green card holder;
2. Provide proof of sufficient financial resources;
3. Proof of the relationship between the applicant and the beneficiary’s child;
Tip: Child in the immigration law includes legitimate child, illegitimate child, stepchild, and adopted child.
Special case:
1. If the child is born in wedlock- the parents get married before the child is 18 years old;
2. If the child is born out of wedlock-
- if the father applies for a child, Before the child is 18 years old, the biological father is a legal guardian, or the child has established a true parent, child relationship when the child is 21 years old and single.
- if the mother applies for a child without the above requirement.
3. If it is a stepchild, the stepparent must be married, before the stepchild is 18 years old;
4. if adopted child, the adoption relationship is legally established, before the child is 16 years old. whether before or after the adoption, the adoptive parents have been the child’s guardian, for more than 2 years, and have lived together for more than 2 years.
5. If the adopted child’s siblings, adopted by the same US citizen, the adoption is until the age of 18, regardless of whether the adopted parent, has been the child’s guardian for two years, and has lived with them for two years.
6. if adopt an orphan, when an overseas orphan is 16 years old or younger, a US citizen submits his/her immigrant visa application.
The following explains the detailed, step by step and checklist, US citizens apply for child green cards, and green card holders apply for child green cards. US citizen and green card holders apply for a child, are divided into:
US citizen apply for a child, and the child is in the United States;
US citizen apply for a child and the child is outside the US;
Green card holders apply for a child, and the child is in the United States;
Green card holders apply for a child and the child is outside the U.S.
US citizens apply for child green cards, in the U.S.
Citizens applying for a single child under the age of 21 do not wait for visa number available, and do not need to maintain legal status in the United States; citizens applying for a married child under the age of 21, children over the age of 21 need to wait visa number available and maintain legal status in the United States; green card holders To apply for a single child under the age of 21, and single child over the age of 21 need to wait visa number available and need to maintain legal status in the United States.
Do you have to be 21 to get a green card?
No. Any age of aliens can get a green card as long as they meet the eligibility requirement of a certain green card category.
If there is do not need to wait for visa number available, or the visa number is current, you can apply for immigration I-130 alone, green card I-485 alone, or you can apply for relative immigration I-130, green card I-485, reentry permit I-131, and EAD work card at the same time I-765, lawyers generally recommend to apply at the same time; if there wait visa number available, and the visa number not current, you must apply separately.
How do I get a green card for my child?
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you can file Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative to help your child obtain a green card. If you are applying for a green card, in most cases your unmarried child under 21 years of age can apply for a green card together with you as a derivative.
TIP: If the green card holder applies for a child’s green card and applies to become a citizen, the application for the child can be upgraded without re-applying for the child. If a green card holder applies for a single child, and the child gets married during the application process, he immediately loses his eligibility and the application becomes invalid.
How long does it take for a green card holder to petition a child?
In most cases, it takes about two years for a green card to become available, and the entire process takes around three years. It can take slightly longer for citizens of Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines.
At the same time apply for immigration I-130, apply for green card I-485, apply for reentry permit I-131 and work permit I-765, if the child is in China,
Combined application of I-130 and I-485
1. Form I-130-Petition for Alien Relatives;
2. Form I-485 Green Card Application Form (I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status);
3. Form I-864 financial guarantee form and the guarantor’s latest federal tax return, W2 or 1099 form, and the latest two pay slips or income certification documents;
4. Form I-131 Reentry Permit;
5. Form I-765 EAD work card;
6. Form G-1145;
7. A personal check or Money Order of $1760.00 (the fee will be different for different ages, please check the immigration office for details);
8. Identification documents. If you are a US citizen, submit a copy of the certificate of citizenship or a copy of a valid US passport; if you are a green card holder, submit a copy of the green card.
9. A copy of the marriage certificate or divorce certificate of a U.S. citizen or green card holder, or a copy of the court decision;
10. Photocopies of the child’s passport, visa pages, and entry stamp pages;
11. Birth certificate of the child;
12. Child I-693 immigration medical report form;
13. 6 passport photos of the child.
Mail your application to USCIS Chicago Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
FBAS
131 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Please check the website of USCIS
Real case sharing: U.S. citizens apply for a child, and the child is in the United States
Tom is a U.S. citizen, his step-child Ben is a minor under 21, and his mother and stepfather were married before Ben was 18
October 2020 Tom submits I-130 and I-485
November 2020, Received USCIS receipt I-797
January 2021, Received a letter from the USCIS, no fingerprints are required, because fingerprints have been done before
April 2021 Receive a green card.
The first step is to apply for the I-130 list of documents separately:
1. Form I-130 –Petition for Alien Relatives relative immigration application form;
2. Form G-1145;
3. $535.00 application fee check or Money Order;
4. Proof of identity. If you are a US citizen, submit a copy of the certificate of citizenship or a copy of a valid US passport; if you are a green card holder, submit a copy of the green card.
5. A copy of the marriage certificate or divorce certificate of a U.S. citizen or green card holder, or a copy of the court decision;
6. Proof of kinship: birth certificate of the child.
Tip: If a citizen applies for a married child green card, he can bring his or her child’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, and write the name of the child’s spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21 when applying for I-130
If you are only filing Form I-130 and you live in:
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Oklahoma
Oregon
Puerto Rico
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virgin Islands
Washington
Wyoming
Mail your application to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
P.O. Box 21700
Phoenix, AZ 85036
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
1820 E. Sky Harbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
You are only filing Form I-130, and you live in or outside the United States:
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Mail your application to USCIS Dallas Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
P.O. Box 650264
Dallas, TX 75265
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
A list of materials for applying for a green card I-485 separately, if you apply for a green card in U.S.:
1. I-485 (I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) green card application form;
2. A copy of the I-797 receipt of the I-130 application;
3. The I-864 financial guarantee form and the guarantor’s most recent federal tax return, W2 or 1099 form, and the most recent two payslips or income certification documents;
4. Form G-1145;
5. Photocopies of the child’s passport, visa pages, and entry stamp pages;
6. $1225.00 application fee check or money order (the fee will be different for different ages, please check the immigration office for details);
7. Identification documents. If you are a US citizen, submit a copy of the citizenship paper or a copy of a valid US passport; if you are a green card holder, submit a copy of the green card.
8. Childbirth certificate;
9 Two passport photos of the child 2inch*2inch;
10. Child I-693 immigration medical report form.
Tip: Citizens applying for married children’s green cards can bring their children’s spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21. They need to submit a separate green card application I-485
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
When applicable, you must include a copy of the Form I-797 Notice showing that we accepted or approved your Form I-130 or Form I-360.
List of materials for applying for I-131 reentry permit separately:
1. A copy of I-797 notified by the I-485 Immigration Department;
2. Form I-131 Reentry Permit;
3. 2 passport photos. Note: It is best to write an A number on the back.
4. Visa page, entry stamp page, and passport copy;
List of I-765 Work Card Information for Separate Application:
1. Form I-765;
2. I-797 copy of the I-485 receipt from the Immigration Department;
3. Copy of entry stamp, passport, visa page;
4. Two passport photos. TIPS: It is best to write an A number on the back.
US citizens or green card holders apply for their children’s green cards. If the children apply for a green card overseas, the application requires 4 steps. In addition to the first step, the application for immigration to the United States I-130, there is also the National Visa Center NVC, and the overseas consulate immigration visa DS-260 And pay for green card production costs.
In the first step, after applying for the I-130 to immigrate to the United States, usually 2-4 weeks will receive the I-797 notice from the Immigration Bureau, with the case number in it. Within 6-12 months, after receiving the approval letter from the Immigration Bureau, the first step is completed, and the case will be transferred to the NVC National Visa Center.
The second step is the NVC National Visa Center.
After receiving the case, the NVC National Visa Center will send a letter to the applicant, notifying the applicant that the case has been received, and the National Visa Center’s financial guarantee fee Invoice ID Number and the case number NVC Case Number also require the following:
1. Pay the application fee of $445.00. Transfer ACH online, including the economic guarantee fee of $120.00 and the visa fee of $325.00;
2. Submit the I-864 form of financial guarantee;
3. Submit the immigrant visa DS-260 form;
4. Submit civil documents, including passport information pages, U.S. passport-sized photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, criminal record certificates, and military service certificates (if applicable).
Tip: Citizens applying for married children’s green cards can bring their children’s spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21. They need to submit the visa form DS260 and pay separately
Tip: US citizens do not need to be scheduled to apply for unmarried children under the age of 21. U.S. citizens applying for children over 21 years of age, children under 21 years of age who are married under the age of 21, or green card holders applying for children need to be scheduled. Waiting for the waiting date, about 12 months in advance, the National Visa Center NVC began to request more application materials for review.
First, log on to the State Council website CEAC, use the above invoice number Invoice ID Number and NVC National Visa Center NVC case number, online ACH payment and financial guarantee fee of $120.00, and immigrant visa fee of $325.00. About 1-2 weeks, after receiving the payment, you can Submit the I-864 financial guarantee, DS-260 form, and related civil documents to the NVC National Visa Center.
TIPS: You can download the financial guarantee form I-864 in advance on the USCIS website, fill in and sign the form, scan each page and upload it to the State Council website CEAC.
If the applicant’s income is insufficient, a joint guarantor can be added, which can be guaranteed by means of the joint guarantor, housing assets, bank deposit certificates, etc.
Tips: Keep the original I-864 financial guarantee form. The US consulate needs the original I-864 for the immigrant visa.
If there is a problem with the financial guarantee, contact an immigration lawyer for a consultation
Step 3 U.S. Consulate Visa
Generally, about 1-2 months after the NVC National Visa Center approves the notification, the US consulate will receive the immigrant visa case. The local consulate will send an appointment interview letter to indicate the location and time of the interview. Generally, after sending the interview letter, 1-6 Monthly interviews. Please prepare the following list of materials when preparing for the interview:
1. Immigration medical report. Only the immigration medical report issued by the hospital or doctor is approved by the consulate.
2. All previous application materials;
If you apply for a child’s green card immigrant visa through a citizen, the visa officer will make a visa and take away the passport. Usually, you can receive your passport within 2-4 weeks. Note: The immigrant visa medical report is valid within 180 days, not 180 days from the visa date. This is the time to prepare for landing in the United States and the next step for the US Immigration Bureau to pay.
Step 4 U.S. Immigration Service
Immigration packet will be sent 2-4 weeks after the interview, including a passport with visa. The visa is valid for 6 months. After arriving in the United States, the immigration packet needs to be handed over to the border customs officer. Don’t forget to go to the USCIS website to pay for production. Green card fee, the green card is usually sent within 90 days.