CR-2 and IR-2 Visa Attorney in San Jose Helping Parents and Children Settle in the United States with Visa Programs

CR-2 and IR-2 visa programs bring families and unmarried children together in the United States so they can start a better life, continue their education, and enjoy many of the same benefits as United States citizens.

Our immigration attorney has helped many families and unmarried children pursue CR-2 and IR-2 visas to enter and remain in the United States with their U.S. citizen parents. For either visa, there are eligibility requirements, an application process, and medical and other requirements needed to process an application.

Sadri Law, PC, and our immigration attorney will prepare parents and children for the application process.

What Are CR-2 and IR-2 Visas?

An IR-2 visa allows unmarried foreign children of U.S. citizens—under the age of 21—to migrate to the United States. This includes biological and adopted children. It is essentially a green card for children that does not require employment authorization to live in the United States. With an IR-2, children can live with their U.S. citizen parents and finish school.

A child receives an IR-2 visa if the parent gets an IR-1 visa, which means the parent has been married for more than two years. As a result, the child can pursue a 10-year green card like the parent.

A CR-2 visa is the same as an IR-2 visa, with a minor exception. A child receives a CR-2 visa if the parent has a CR-1 visa, which means they have been married for less than two years. We can help you and your children apply for a CR-2 or an IR-2 visa based on your current marital status.

What Are CR-1 and IR-1 Visas?

A CR-1 and IR-1 visas are similar except for one minor thing. A CR-1 visa is suitable for conditional residents that have been married for less than two years. Married couples utilize an IR-1 visa if they have been married for more than two years. A foreign spouse married to a U.S. citizen must first qualify for a CR-1 or IR-1 visa before children qualify for CR-2 or IR-2 visas.

For the parents to qualify for the CR-1 or IR-1, the petitioning spouse must be a U.S. citizen, and the marriage must be legal under the country’s laws in which the marriage occurred. Additionally, the couple must have married in good faith, and the foreign spouse must be eligible to live and work in the United States. Once those visas are obtained, children can qualify for Cr-2 or IR-2 visas.

What is the Filing Process for a CR-2 or IR-2 Visa?

Applicants must first meet the requirements for a CR-2 or IR-2 visa. The sponsor—a parent in this case—must be a U.S. citizen with legal custody of the child for at least two years. Adopted children must have been adopted before their 16th birthday to qualify. There are other requirements we will walk through during our consultation.

To proceed with a CR-2 or IR-2 visa, we will help you complete the following:

• Prepare and submit the I-130 application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Attend biometrics appointment (adjustment status cases only) and await approval from USCIS
• Participate in an interview with USCIS or another immigrant government body
• Respond to any additional USCIS questions or requests

Our immigration attorney can answer confidential questions regarding the CR-2 and IR-2 visa process.

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

It is an exciting and hopeful time as you and your child await a CR-2 or IR-2 visa and possible U.S. citizenship. It can take three to 12 months for a visa to process, and many steps are involved.

Our experienced immigration attorney can help you and your child apply for a CR-2 or IR-2 visa, prepare the application, and assist in obtaining the visa. We know the requirements and information needed to ensure a “complete” application and can help you confidently achieve your goal of citizenship.

When delays or other speedbumps arise, we work diligently to address issues and get the process back on track. Get help from our firm so your child can get to the United States: 408-402-4967.