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CR2 And IR2 Visa Attorney In San Jose Helping Parents And Children Settle In The United States With Visa Programs
CR2 and IR2 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 CR2 and IR2 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 CR2 And IR2 Visas?
An IR2 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 IR2, children can live with their U.S. citizen parent and finish school.
A child receives an IR2 visa if the parent gets an IR1 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 CR2 visa is the same as an IR2 visa, with a minor exception. A child receives a CR2 visa if the parent has a CR1 visa, which means they have been married for less than two years. We can help you and your children apply for a CR2 or an IR2 visa based on your current marital status.
What Are CR1 And IR1 Visas?
A CR1 and IR1 visas are similar except for one minor thing. A CR1 visa is suitable for conditional residents that have been married for less than two years. Married couples utilize an IR1 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 CR1 or IR1 visa before children qualify for CR2 or IR2 visas.
For the parents to qualify for the CR1 or IR1, the petitioning spouse must be a U.S. citizen parent, 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 Cr2 or IR2 immigrant visas.
What Is The Filing Process For A CR2 Or IR-2 Visa?
Applicants must first meet the requirements for a CR2 or IR2 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.
Applicants must first meet the requirements for a CR2 or IR2 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 CR2 or IR2 visa, we will help you complete the following:
- Prepare and submit the I-130 visa 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 CR2 and IR2 visa application process.
How Can An Attorney Help Me?
It is an exciting and hopeful time as you and your child await a CR2 or IR2 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 CR2 or IR2 visa, prepare the application and fill out the required supporting documents, and assist in obtaining the visa. We know the requirements and information needed to ensure a “complete” visa application and can help you confidently achieve your goal of having an immigrant visa.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children under 21 who are unmarried and have a parent with a conditional permanent residency status (CR1 visa holder) qualify for the CR2 visa. This visa grants conditional permanent resident status to the child upon entering the United States.
Processing times vary for both but generally take several months depending on USCIS and consular processing times. Timely submission of documents and proper legal guidance can help streamline the process.
Applicants typically need proof of relationship (birth certificate), the parent’s immigration status, police clearance certificates, medical exams, and financial support documents. Consulting with our immigration attorney can ensure all paperwork is correctly prepared.
While not required, working with an immigration attorney experienced can help avoid common pitfalls, speed up processing, and provide peace of mind throughout the application process.
After two years, the child holding a CR2 green card must apply to remove the conditions on their residency, typically alongside their parent’s application to remove conditions from the CR1 green card. Successful removal converts the conditional status into permanent residency, similar to an IR2 green card.