Factsheet, Page 5

e-mail

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

Prospective adopting parents are strongly encouraged to consult the USCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopting Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions. The USCIS publication is available at the USCIS Web site. The Department of State publication International Adoptions can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site, http://travel.state.gov, under “International Adoptions.”

Adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to read the flyer the requirements for filing I-600 petitions for orphans adopted by U.S. citizens before completing an adoption abroad. Please see our flyer “How Can Adopted Children Come to the United States” at our Web site http://travel.state.gov .

APPLYING FOR A VISA FOR YOUR CHILD AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN JAMAICA: After obtaining the Adoption License or Adoption Order, the adoptive parents should schedule an immigrant visa interview at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. This may be done by appearing at the Information Window of the Immigrant Visa section on any weekday (except U.S. and Jamaican holidays) between 7:15 am and 10 am. The medical examination can usually be scheduled for the next business day, and the interview for the day after that. The cost of the medical examination for the immigrant visa application is approximately US$50 for children under 15 and US$100 for children 15 and older. The medical examination used to meet to the Adoption Board requirements cannot be used for the immigrant visa interview.

Note: Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes 24 hours and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview.

U.S. EMBASSY IN JAMAICA: Americans living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website,https://travelregistration.state.gov/ , and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the country of travel. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The Consular Section is located at:

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 541
Kingston
Jamaica

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN JAMAICA:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has an office in Kingston, Jamaica. This office is located at:

Street Address:
2 Oxford Road, 1st Floor
Kingston 5
Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 876-926-6098
The office is open Monday through Thursday (except holidays), 9:00 am to 12 noon.

Credits: U.S. Department of State

Adoption Disruption Help

Transitions Group Home Out-of-home placement and counseling

www.transitionsgrouphome.com

Dove Adoptions Int'l

Dedicated to seeking the best wel- fare for the children of the world.

www.adoptions.net