IR-2/CR-2 — Child of US citizen immigration lawyers
About the IR-2/CR-2 category
The IR-2/CR-2 category grants a green card to the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen. As an immediate-relative category there is no annual cap and no visa-number waiting line, so the timeline depends mainly on petition processing and, for a child abroad, consular processing and the interview. CR-2 applies where conditional residence results from a step-parent relationship created by a recent marriage. Two issues deserve early attention: the child's age, because turning 21 or marrying changes the category and can add years, and the documentation of the parent-child relationship, including step-parent or adoption situations. Careful timing and complete evidence keep these cases moving smoothly.
Who the IR-2/CR-2 category is for
- You are the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen.
- Step-children and adopted children qualify when the relationship meets the legal tests.
- Immediate-relative category — no annual cap and no visa-number wait.
How the process works
How a family case unfolds: the U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident relative files an I-130 petition that proves the family relationship. For immediate relatives there is no visa-number wait; for the preference categories, the family then waits for the priority date to become current in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Once a visa is available, the relative abroad completes consular processing through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy interview, or — if already lawfully in the United States — files for adjustment of status. An affidavit of support is required to show the household can financially sponsor the immigrant, and a medical examination and background checks complete the case.
Common IR-2/CR-2 pitfalls
A handful of avoidable problems account for most setbacks in these cases — nearly all of them easier to fix before filing than after:
- A child turning 21 or marrying — either changes the category and can add years.
- Incomplete step-parent or adoption evidence.
- Missing proof of the petitioner's citizenship or the parent-child link.
Related family options
Not sure the IR-2/CR-2 is the right fit? These related routes are worth comparing:
- All family immigration lawyers
- IR-1/CR-1 — Spouse of US citizen
- IR-5 — Parent of US citizen
- F1 — Adult unmarried child
- F2A/F2B — Spouse/child of LPR
How an immigration lawyer helps with a IR-2/CR-2 case
A family-based immigration lawyer helps you choose the right petition, document the relationship convincingly, clear affidavit-of-support and admissibility hurdles, and prepare for the interview. They also handle the complications that quietly derail cases — a prior overstay, a criminal record, an earlier marriage, a missed deadline or a previous denial — when those are spotted early rather than at the interview window.
Choosing the right immigration lawyer
The right lawyer for IR-2/CR-2 cases is one who has done the work before, communicates in your language, and is honest about timelines and costs. Browsing the profiles above, pay attention to how each attorney describes their practice, what clients say in their reviews, and whether their consultation pricing is clear. Shortlisting a few practices and speaking with each one is the most reliable way to find someone you trust with a case this important.
What to expect from a consultation
Booking a consultation is the practical next step. Expect the lawyer to ask about your background and goals, give you a candid assessment of your eligibility, walk through the process and timeline, point out anything that could complicate the case, and set out their fees clearly. It is also your chance to judge whether this is someone you want to work with. Consultations with the immigration lawyers above are typically held by video or phone and scheduled within a day or two of reaching out.
Why use Immigrantio
Immigrantio exists to make that comparison straightforward. Every immigration lawyers listed here is a verified, Bar-licensed U.S. immigration practice — never paid placement disguised as a recommendation. You can filter by language, location and price, read genuine client reviews, and see consultation fees up front, so you choose counsel for IR-2/CR-2 cases with real information instead of guesswork. There are no referral fees and no middlemen: you deal with the lawyer directly, from the first consultation onward.
Start with a consultation: most immigration lawyers above offer a video or phone call and respond within a day or two. A short first conversation is the quickest way to turn uncertainty into a concrete plan for your case.











