IR2 Visa: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

What is an IR2 Visa?

IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) is a type of immigrant visa issued by the US government to the unmarried children (under 21 years of age) and the spouse of a legal permanent resident of the United States. This visa category is for the family members of the legal permanent resident who wish to live permanently in the United States.

The process for obtaining an IR2 visa begins with the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) filing a petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. After that, the family member will need to complete an application and attend a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and go through a medical examination and security checks.

It’s important to note that the IR2 visa is subject to quotas, and the wait time can be long, depending on the country of origin and the applicant’s priority date.

The holder of an IR2 visa will be allowed to enter the U.S. and will be considered a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) from the moment of admission, if they are not already considered as LPR. Once inside the U.S. the IR2 visa holder will be able to work and travel freely.

Who Qualifies for IR2 Visa?

To qualify for an IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

They must be the unmarried child (under 21 years of age) or the spouse of a legal permanent resident of the United States.
The U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) must file a petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved.
They must be able to demonstrate that they will not be a public charge in the United States, meaning that they are not likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for their livelihood.
They must pass security and background checks, and must not have a criminal history or pose a threat to national security.
They must be able to support themselves financially and not rely on government assistance.
They must not have a communicable disease or a condition that would make them inadmissible to the United States under U.S immigration laws.
They must be admissible to the United States under U.S immigration laws.

How to Apply for IR2 Visa?

Here are the general steps for applying for an IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) visa:

File a petition: The U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) must file a petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved.
Wait for the petition to be approved: Once the petition is filed, the family member must wait for the petition to be approved before they can move on to the next step.
Complete the visa application: After the petition is approved, the family member must complete the visa application form and pay the application fee.
Gather required documents: The family member must gather all the required documents, such as passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates, and other supporting documents, as well as translation of any non-English documents.
Attend an interview: After the application and all required documents are submitted, the family member must attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. They will also need to go through a medical examination and security checks.
Wait for a decision: After the interview, the family member must wait for a decision on their visa application.
Enter the United States: Once the visa is granted, the family member must enter the United States within the validity period of the visa.

What is the IR2 Interview Process?

The IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) interview process typically involves an in-person interview with a consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The purpose of the interview is to verify the information provided in the application and to determine whether the individual is eligible for the IR2 visa.

During the interview, the consular officer may ask a series of questions to verify the individual’s identity and the information provided in the application. The officer may also ask about the individual’s relationship to the U.S. permanent resident sponsor, their plans while in the United States and their ties to their home country.

It’s important for the applicant to be honest and accurate in the responses to the questions, and to provide any additional documentation if required. It’s also important to be able to demonstrate that the individual will not be a public charge in the United States, meaning that they are not likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for their livelihood.

If the consular officer determines that the individual is eligible for the IR2 visa, they will be granted a visa to enter the United States on a permanent basis. If the officer determines that the individual is not eligible, the application will be denied, and the individual will not be allowed to enter the United States.

It’s also important to note that the interview process may vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where the application is being submitted and the specific case. It’s also recommended to consult with an immigration lawyer to help with the process.

What are the Required Documents for IR2 Visa?

The required documents for the IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) can vary depending on the individual case, but typically include:

Form I-130: This is the petition for alien relative, filed by the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) on behalf of the family member.
Form DS-260: This is the online application for an immigrant visa, completed by the family member.
Passport: A valid passport for travel to the United States, with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond the intended stay in the United States.
Birth certificate: A certified copy of the birth certificate of the family member.
Marriage certificate: A certified copy of the marriage certificate, if the family member is the spouse of the U.S. permanent resident.
Police certificates: Original police certificates from all the places where the family member have lived for more than 6 months since the age of 16.
Medical examination: Results of the medical examination performed by an approved panel physician.
Affidavit of support: A signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor)
Financial documents: Financial documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements to demonstrate that the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) can support the family member.
Photographs: Two recent 2×2 inch color photographs of the family member.
Application fee payment: The family member will need to pay the required fee to submit the application.

What is the IR2 Visa Fee?

The current fee for an IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) visa application is $535. This fee is for the application and it must be paid at the time of submitting the application. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the application.

It’s important to note that there may be additional fees for other services, such as for the medical examination, translation of documents, and expediting services, if the applicant chooses to use them.

It’s also important to note that this fee may be subject to change and it’s best to check the U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date information.

Also, some people may be eligible for a fee waiver, such as individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. They need to submit form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, along with proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and other financial documents.

What is the IR2 Processing Time?

The processing time for an IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) visa can vary depending on the individual case, the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application and the current demand. Generally, processing time can take several months to several years.

After the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) files the petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it’s approved, it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. The NVC will send a packet of instructions to the applicant which includes further requirements and payment of fees. After completing the form, submitting required documents, and paying the fees, the application will be forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country for an interview. The consular officer will conduct a security and background check, and will notify the applicant about the outcome of the interview.

IR2 Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the IR2 (Immigrant Visa for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) visa:

Q: Who is eligible for the IR2 visa?
A: To be eligible for the IR2 visa, an individual must be the unmarried child (under 21 years of age) or the spouse of a legal permanent resident of the United States, and the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) must file a petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved.

Q: How do I apply for the IR2 visa?
A: To apply for the IR2 visa, the U.S. permanent resident (sponsor) must file a petition on behalf of their family member with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved. After that, the family member must complete the visa application form, pay the application fee, gather required documents, and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Q: What are the required documents for the IR2 visa?
A: The required documents for the IR2 visa can include Form I-130, Form DS-260, passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates, medical examination, Affidavit of support, financial documents, photographs, and the application fee payment.

Q: What is the fee for the IR2 visa?
A: The fee for the IR2 visa is currently $535.

Q: What is the processing time for the IR2 visa?
A: The processing time for the IR2 visa can vary depending on the individual case and the U.S