Adoption and VISA Processing for a International Adoption?

Question

Visa Processing For a Child?

Hi, I am considering adopting a baby from Africa, through a rehabilitation center and I have to pay for VISA processing and flight arrangements. Could anyone tell me the process that should take place, what I need, what the child needs, etc... The rehabilitation center said they take care of all the arrangements, but i would still like to know the process myself. How long is the wait to process the VISA, etc... Any information will be Greatly Appricated

Answer 1

Okay, first of all nevermind the people who give unsolicited opinions about their feelings on international adoption.  Especially when the question is about the process, not the philosophy.

There are plenty of immigration forms to fill out, fingerprints to get and so forth.  This is pretty much the same, no matter what country you choose to adopt from.  Your agency will guide you through this.  I also recommend the book "How to Adopt Internationally" because it takes you step by step through these huge forms, how to fill them out, when to fill them out, and so forth.  

If you are speaking about your travel visa, authorizing your travel into your child's country of birth.  You will need to contact that country's Embassy or consulate (presumably in Washington DC), for the forms to complete.  You'll need to submit your passport as well.  The fees depend on the country involved and you will have to pay that to the Embassy.  

** Please see an infectious disease doctor that specializes in overseas travel well before you are scheduled to depart There are many vaccinations that are required or recommended, including Yellow Fever (which was required for travel in Liberia), but you will also need to update your shots and possibly take precautionary measures for malaria.  Don't wait until the last minute!  We needed the Yellow Fever certificate before we were allowed to get the visa to travel to Liberia.  And our arms were sore for days afterward!**

Flight arrangments are generally done through a travel agency via the adoption agency.  Things like where to stay, transportation, etc, are generally arranged by the adoption agency.  Some African countries have a nice tourist trade, so you can check into the local Holiday Inn, so to speak.  Others are more or less cities of shelled buildings.  We stayed in a compound run by a Methodist Church which had armed guards 24 hrs/day.  So you need to make sure all of this is set before you travel.

You'll need to have all of your documents in order when you visit the US consulate's office for your child/ren to get their visas to come to the US.  The consulate will go through everything with a fine toothed comb!  Generally, you will be filing the I-600 form in-country.

Things to bring: Mosquito repellant!  Pepto Bismol! (this is huge), Otherwise, think about packing for a camping trip where showers/bathrooms are uncertain.  I recommend those money belts to conceal cash on your person.  Leave expensive jewelry at home.  Bring a couple of books, a deck of cards, or something to keep you occupied that doesn't require electricity.  Those little battery powered fans were great!

Bring a few things for the child/ren, but save most of it for the very long airplane ride home.  Keep toys simple.  Girls typically love to braid hair and will braid a doll's hair for hours.  Remember, kids often get very sick on the plane ride back, so bring some pepto bismol for kids too!  

It's a good idea to pack gifts for the orphanage (toys, clothes) and small gifts for the orphanage workers.  Your agency can give you ideas.  But remember, there's a weight limit on those bags, so the idea is to try to bring things that don't weigh a lot!  

Adopting from Africa has been a wonderful experience, the process, the travel and of course, having our children with us.  If you have any more questions, feel free to email me from my profile.

ETA: Cost depends on the county, but plan on about $2.5K per round trip ticket plus half that for a one-way ticket for the child.

Answer 2

The process is very long and nerve-wracking.  Usually if you go through an agency they can guide you through the whole process and help you fill out all the paperwork.  You will need a home study; a social worker will come to your home to inspect it and interview you.  You will need several letters of reference from friends and family.  Your employer will need to give you a letter of reference as well.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation will investigate you.  You will need to go to the local FBI office and get fingerprinted.  You will need to submit your I-600A to immigration services with your birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees (if applicable), and home study, the fee is around $600 if I remember right.  This is the application for your visa. I think it can take 6-8 weeks to process your visa.  You will need a passport as well.

You will have to have complete physicals and be tested for AIDS etc.  Some countries require that you be vaccinated for certain diseases before you go.

You cannot use travelers checks in many third world countries, and using credit cards is risky business.  You will probably have to carry a large amount of cash on you.  You need to buy money belts that are hidden around your waist underneath your pants.  You should carry only small amounts of money in your purse so you can have it handy.  Don't take anything of value with you like favorite rings or other jewelry.

Do take the time to learn simple phrases in the language where you are adopting from.  You will need them to communicate with your child until he/she learns your language.  It will help you too if you find yourself without an interpreter (not sure if this applies to Africa).

Jennifer L gives great advice about bringing small toys and things for the children.  I had fruit snacks and peanut butter crackers that I sneaked to our daughter when she was still in the orphanage (they are often fed only some kind of grain cereal, their eyes sparkle with delight when they are able to taste something new and appealing).  Feeding your child yourself is very important  to the bonding process.

One thing I can't stress enough is to bring any type of medicine you think you will need.  You cannot find most of the things you are used to getting here in America.  Bring double what you think you might need.  Often you will end up being in the country much longer than you had planned.  Be prepared for culture shock if you are there for more than a couple of weeks or so.  You can start getting a feeling of despair after a while if you are there too long.  Coming across a snickers bar in a poor country is like finding gold, believe me when I say this.  (We brought candy and gum with us in our luggage.  You are not supposed to do this but we did it anyway.)

Gosh, there is so much more... Adopting a child from a third world country is truly an expedition.  Email me if you have any more questions.

Please, don't let the people who look down on international adoptions get to you.  They don't understand the reasons people do this.  It is very egocentric for people to say that you should only adopt from your home country.  An orphaned child needs a home no matter what part of the ground on this earth their little feet happen to be standing on.  If you can help even one child in the world have a better life, you are doing a good thing.

Answer 3

can you possibly foster from your own country?