What happens after my child enters the US?

[sherbo 0]

Hello VJ'ers,

My child just got his IR-2 visa accepted. What happens when we land in the US? Does he get a green card or a certificate of citizenship straight away?

Also, I was told by the officer in the embassy that we need to stay there for 6 months in order to apply for his passport... Is this true? Please advise

[Hypnos 6,579]

He will become an LPR immediately upon entry. Assuming you've paid the $165 immigrant visa fee, you should receive his green card in the mail within 60-90 days from PoE.

If one of his parents is a US citizen by birth or naturalisation, and he lives in their physical and legal custody, and he enters before his 18th birthday, he will immediately become a US citizen at PoE under the Child Citizenship Act. You can apply for a US passport for him immediately in this circumstance.

[aaron2020 11,652]

Hello VJ'ers,

My child just got his IR-2 visa accepted. What happens when we land in the US? The child becomes a Legal Permanent Resident. Does he get a green card or a certificate of citizenship straight away? The child's visa becomes a temporary green card valid for one year. You would need to pay the $165 fee for the physical green card. You don't need the physical green card since your child will automatically derive US citizenship from her USC mom, so don't bother wasting money on it. Your 1 year old child will be an LPR living with her USC mom, so she meets the 4 requirements of the Child Citizenship Act and will automatically be a US citizen when she immigrates. You would have to pay for the N-600 Certificate of US citizenship or a US passport. Nothing is automatic and nothing is free.

Also, I was told by the officer in the embassy that we need to stay there for 6 months in order to apply for his passport... Is this true? No, there is no residency or physical presence in the US. On the day that the child gets citizenship, the child can apply for a US passport. Please advise

Edited May 30, 2016 by aaron2020

[NikLR 13,234]

Please dont pay the $165 for.the green card if the child will be a citizen right away. What a waste of money. If a parent is a citizen (not a step parent, a biological parent) then upon entry (and this gaining lpr status) the child becomes a USC immediately.

Step children DO need the $165 green card fee paid however as they do not become citizens until their parent does and if they're under 18 still.

Edited May 30, 2016 by NLR

[Ontarkie 14,950]

~~Hijacked post and it's replies split off to it's own thread. One post removed as the quoted part was directed at the hijacked post not the OP. It caused some confusion to the thread.~~

[sherbo 0]

Thank you all for your replies and advice!