IH-3 — Hague Convention Orphan Adopted Abroad

United States•North America

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IH-3 — Hague Convention Orphan Adopted Abroad

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

180-730 days

Application Fee

1,245 USD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Orphan from Hague Convention country adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen.

The IH-3 is an immigrant visa for a child fully adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen through the Hague Convention process. The adoption is finalized in the child's country of origin before U.S. entry, reflecting a complete parent-child relationship under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000.

The child enters as a lawful permanent resident. Those under 18 in a U.S. citizen parent's custody acquire citizenship automatically at port of entry under INA §320; USCIS mails a citizenship certificate at no charge. An approved Form I-800A and Article 5/17 Embassy clearance are required before adoption is finalized.

This visa is ideal for U.S. citizens who have fully finalized a Hague Convention adoption abroad and need an immigrant visa for the child before U.S. entry.

Fee Breakdown

Form I-800A filing fee	920 USD
Biometrics fee (per adult household member 18+)	0 USD
Consular immigrant visa processing fee	325 USD
USCIS immigrant fee (Green Card production)	0 USD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Child must be under 18 and unmarried

Child must be habitually resident in a Hague Adoption Convention country

Child must be determined adoptable by the country of origin's Central Authority

Article 16 report issued by the child's country of origin

Full adoption finalized abroad before visa issuance

Adoptive parent(s) must be US citizens

Article 5/17 letter from US Embassy/Consulate received BEFORE finalizing adoption

Must use a US-accredited or approved Adoption Service Provider (ASP)

Approved Form I-800A (home study, background checks, financial review)

All Hague Convention procedural safeguards satisfied (no trafficking, financial inducement)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Child's original birth certificate (or secondary evidence with explanation and certified English translation)

Evidence child has no living parents or that sole/surviving parent irrevocably released the child

Evidence of full adoption finalized abroad

Article 16 report from country of origin

Home study (completed by approved provider)

Biometrics/fingerprints for all household members 18+

Child's passport or other travel document

DS-260 (filed online via CEAC)

DS-1981 (vaccination exemption form, if applicable)

Medical examination results

Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents

Financial documentation and background check results for adoptive parents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Child is admitted directly as a lawful permanent resident (LPR)
IH-3 holders under 18 in legal and physical custody of a US citizen parent automatically acquire US citizenship upon entry under INA §320
Certificate of Citizenship mailed automatically for children under 14; no additional fee
USCIS immigrant fee ($235) is waived for IH-3 visa holders
No annual visa cap — immediate relative category has unlimited availability
LPR status provides full work authorization without a separate EAD
Child gains access to all US citizen/LPR benefits and protections

Worth Knowing

Child must come from a Hague Adoption Convention country; non-Convention adoptions use IR-3/IR-4 instead
Article 5/17 letter from US Embassy/Consulate must be obtained BEFORE the adoption is finalized abroad — adopting first voids eligibility
Must use a US Department of State–accredited Adoption Service Provider throughout the process
Total adoption process typically takes years depending on the country of origin
As of January 21 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 pauses immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries; adoption visas may qualify for National Interest Exception
USCIS home study and background checks cover all household members 18+
I-800A approval is valid for 15 months from fingerprint clearance notification; extensions available
Children aged 14–17 must schedule an oath ceremony at a USCIS field office to receive Certificate of Citizenship

Application Process

Select a US Department of State–accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP)

File Form I-800A with USCIS to establish suitability to adopt (includes home study and biometrics)

Apply to the country of origin's Central Authority; receive Article 16 child referral

File Form I-800 with USCIS to petition for the specific child; obtain provisional approval and Article 5/17 letter from Embassy/Consulate BEFORE finalizing adoption

Finalize adoption (or guardianship) in the child's country of origin

Obtain child's birth certificate and passport, file DS-260 online, attend consular immigrant visa interview, receive IH-3 visa

Application Forms

I-800A Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country	Fill online
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative	Fill online
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application	Fill online
DS-1981 Affidavit Concerning Exemption from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child	—

Verified Claims (41)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Select a US Department of State–accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP); File Form I-800A with US…	travel.state.gov
Blockers	—	travel.state.gov
Can Convert To	—	travel.state.gov
Categories	family; residency	travel.state.gov
Code	us-ih-3	travel.state.gov
Criminal Policy	Background checks required for all household members 18+. Disqualifying criminal history (especially…	travel.state.gov
Dual Intent	true	uscis.gov
Fee Breakdown	Form I-800A filing fee: 920 USD; Biometrics fee (per adult household member 18+): 0 USD; Consular im…	uscis.gov

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Overview

Orphan from Hague Convention country adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen.

This visa is ideal for U.S. citizens who have fully finalized a Hague Convention adoption abroad and need an immigrant visa for the child before U.S. entry.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Child must be under 18 and unmarried

Child must be habitually resident in a Hague Adoption Convention country

Child must be determined adoptable by the country of origin's Central Authority

Article 16 report issued by the child's country of origin

Full adoption finalized abroad before visa issuance

Adoptive parent(s) must be US citizens

Article 5/17 letter from US Embassy/Consulate received BEFORE finalizing adoption

Must use a US-accredited or approved Adoption Service Provider (ASP)

Approved Form I-800A (home study, background checks, financial review)

All Hague Convention procedural safeguards satisfied (no trafficking, financial inducement)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Child's original birth certificate (or secondary evidence with explanation and certified English translation)

Evidence child has no living parents or that sole/surviving parent irrevocably released the child

Evidence of full adoption finalized abroad

Article 16 report from country of origin

Home study (completed by approved provider)

Biometrics/fingerprints for all household members 18+

Child's passport or other travel document

DS-260 (filed online via CEAC)

DS-1981 (vaccination exemption form, if applicable)

Medical examination results

Certified English translations of all foreign-language documents

Financial documentation and background check results for adoptive parents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Child is admitted directly as a lawful permanent resident (LPR)
IH-3 holders under 18 in legal and physical custody of a US citizen parent automatically acquire US citizenship upon entry under INA §320
Certificate of Citizenship mailed automatically for children under 14; no additional fee
USCIS immigrant fee ($235) is waived for IH-3 visa holders
No annual visa cap — immediate relative category has unlimited availability
LPR status provides full work authorization without a separate EAD
Child gains access to all US citizen/LPR benefits and protections

Worth Knowing

Child must come from a Hague Adoption Convention country; non-Convention adoptions use IR-3/IR-4 instead
Article 5/17 letter from US Embassy/Consulate must be obtained BEFORE the adoption is finalized abroad — adopting first voids eligibility
Must use a US Department of State–accredited Adoption Service Provider throughout the process
Total adoption process typically takes years depending on the country of origin
As of January 21 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 pauses immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries; adoption visas may qualify for National Interest Exception
USCIS home study and background checks cover all household members 18+
I-800A approval is valid for 15 months from fingerprint clearance notification; extensions available
Children aged 14–17 must schedule an oath ceremony at a USCIS field office to receive Certificate of Citizenship

Application Process

Select a US Department of State–accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP)

File Form I-800A with USCIS to establish suitability to adopt (includes home study and biometrics)

Apply to the country of origin's Central Authority; receive Article 16 child referral

File Form I-800 with USCIS to petition for the specific child; obtain provisional approval and Article 5/17 letter from Embassy/Consulate BEFORE finalizing adoption

Finalize adoption (or guardianship) in the child's country of origin

Obtain child's birth certificate and passport, file DS-260 online, attend consular immigrant visa interview, receive IH-3 visa

Application Forms

I-800A

Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country

Fill online

I-800

Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

Fill online

DS-260

Immigrant Visa Electronic Application

Fill online

DS-1981

Affidavit Concerning Exemption from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child

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