United States · Immigration54
Adoption — Other Qualifying Family Immigration Cases
A child adopted abroad who does not qualify under the orphan or Hague processes may still immigrate through a family petition after two years of legal custody and joint residence.
Currently available · Editorial record dated 10/20/2026 · Not lawyer review or an eligibility decision. Check current official instructions.
Who this is for
U.S. citizen or permanent resident families whose adopted child does not fit the orphan or Hague processes.
Common problems
The two-year rule
Time spent before the adoption is final generally does not count toward custody and residence.