I read from this platform the other day that as long as the adoption relationship has established for more than two years, an adopted child would be treated as a dependent “child” for EB-5 purpose. But one of my children was technically adopted by my wife. I have not adopted him officially. Now we are thinking about applying for EB-5, with me being the main applicant. Will we be able to include him as a dependent even though he is not adopted by me?
Answers
Blake Harrison
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysA step-child can be included on the application as long as your wife adopted the child before turning 16-years-old and the two of you married before the child turned 18.
Julia Roussinova
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysThis child should qualify as your stepchild if the marriage creating the stepfather-stepchild relationship occurred prior to the child's 18th birthday and the child is legally adopted by your spouse before age 16.
Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysThe child must be legally adopted prior to its 16 birthday to qualify.
Raymond Lahoud
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysMore information is needed with respect to the adoption, such as, when the adoption took place, were you and your wife married at the time of the adoption, etc. If the adoption took place prior to marriage, then the child may very well qualify as a step-child to you, which will permit his/her immigration to the United States. Please do contact experienced immigration counsel before moving forward.
Fredrick W Voigtmann
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysThere is no such two-year rule with respect to whether the child qualifies as a dependent (“child” or “step-child”) under the immigration laws. The two-year rule applies to U.S. citizens who adopt a child and then seek to petition for the child's permanent residence as an immediate relative. To be considered a “child” dependent, the adoption should have taken place prior to the child turning 16 and to be considered a “step-child”, the marriage creating that relationship must have occurred prior to the child turning 18.
BoBi Ahn
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysYour wife's children that qualify as her derivative beneficiaries can be included in the processing.
Charles Foster
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysYou would have to establish that the child was adopted by your wife before the child turned 16 and on your part that you were married to your wife prior to your stepchild turning 18. If so, you could include your wife, your children and your qualified stepchild.
Barbara Suri
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysGoing by the premise that your wife''s children are your step-children, it is my opinion that the child may qualify as your step-child. Step-children are derivatives. You should consult with an experienced immigration to confirm the qualifying dates.
A Olusanjo Omoniyi
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysYes, the child qualifies as your child as well. Therefore, you can include the child in the EB-5 petition as your dependent.
Jinhee Wilde
Schedule a Free Consultation with Top EB5 Visa AttorneysIt may be better if your wife is the main applicant. But, that child should be considered as your stepchild as you are married to his legal mother.
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