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Adoption Tax Refundability Act in Year-End Legislation
Posted November 21, 2022
Join us in asking Congress to include the Adoption Tax Refundability Act in Year-End Legislation.
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Approved Fee Schedules for Accrediting Entities, IAAME and CEAS – Amended
Posted November 21, 2022
This notice amends the information previously published on October 26, 2022 by adding information in the CEAS Fee Schedule to explain charges related to site visits.
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Increase in Fees for Accrediting Entities
Posted November 1, 2022
In accordance with the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, the Department has approved a revised fee schedule for the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, Inc. (IAAME) and a new fee schedule for Center for Excellence in Adoption Services (CEAS).
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USCIS Adoption Information: Ukraine
Posted October 21, 2022
We recognize that many U.S. citizens wish to help and adopt children affected by the conflict in Ukraine. It is important to note that adoption by a U.S. citizen, by itself, does not give a child U.S. citizenship or make them immediately eligible to immigrate to the United States.
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INDIA ADOPTION REGULATIONS 2022
Posted October 21, 2022
CARA has published the new Adoption Regulations 2022, which include several changes that may affect prospective adoptive parents.
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Resumption of Hosting Programs in Ukraine
Posted June 13, 2022
On June 11, 2022, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine announced they would permit children to participate in hosting programs abroad for health and recreation.
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U.S. Department of State Designates Center for Excellence in Adoption Services as an Accrediting Entity
Posted June 2, 2022
On June 2, 2022, the Department of State designated Center for Excellence in Adoption Services (CEAS) as an accrediting entity (AE) under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA) in accordance with 22 CFR Part 96.
Judicial Adoption Hearings in Ukraine
Posted May 27, 2022
The Office of Children’s Issues continues to engage the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the National Social Service of Ukraine to confirm the status of intercountry adoption at this time.
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Updated – Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine
Posted May 10, 2022
This updates and supersedes notices previously issued on March 22, 2022, March 10, 2022, and on February 28, 2022. The Department of State continues to receive many inquiries from U.S. citizens concerned about the plight of Ukrainian children.
Information about DHS Program, Uniting for Ukraine
Posted April 27, 2022
Information about the Uniting for Ukraine program is now available on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.
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Updated – Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine
Posted March 25, 2022
This updates and supersedes notices previously issued on March 10, 2022 and on February 28, 2022. The Department recognizes the security situation in Ukraine is of great concern to prospective adoptive parents (PAP) at any stage of the process, including host families who intend to but have not yet started the adoption process.
Ukraine – Statement by Department of State’s Special Advisor for Children’s Issues
Posted March 23, 2022
President Putin’s premeditated, unjustified, and unprovoked war against Ukraine has had a devastating impact on Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens: its children.
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Ukraine – Ministry of Social Policy Statement on Intercountry Adoption
Posted March 21, 2022
On March 13, 2022, the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy issued the following statement on Intercountry Adoption Under Conditions of Marial Law – A Clarification. The Department of State is pleased to provide the following official translation.
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U.S. Department of State: Ukraine – Fact Sheet: How You Can Help
Posted March 14, 2022
We understand many people want to help Ukraine and those suffering from ongoing Russian aggression.
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NCFA Free Webinar Next Week- Talking to those in the Adoption Community with Roots in Russia and Ukraine
Posted March 11, 2022
As the crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, NCFA is aware that adopted individuals with roots in Ukraine and Russia, and their families, are grieving and grappling with how to process these events.
Ukraine Update from U.S. Department of State Office of Children’s Issues
Posted March 9, 2022
The Office of Children’s Issues has received many inquiries from prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) at all stages of the adoption process in Ukraine who are understandably concerned about the safety of the children.
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Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Special Situations, Including the Invasion of Ukraine
Posted March 7, 2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by extreme situations, including the invasion of Ukraine.
Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine
Posted February 28, 2022
The Department recognizes the security situation in Ukraine is of great concern to prospective adoptive parents (PAP) at any stage of the process.
Continue reading Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine
NCFA: Regarding Refugee Children Fleeing the War in Ukraine
Posted February 28, 2022
The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) has posted a statement regarding refugee children who are being impacted/displaced by the war in Ukraine.
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Do Not Travel Advisory Issued for Ukraine – Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv Suspended as of Sunday, February 13
Posted February 12, 2022
February 12, 2022, the Department of State ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action.
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India: Relaxing Quarantine for International Travelers
Posted February 10, 2022
On February 10, 2022, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced new guidelines for international arrivals, which includes lifting the 7 day quarantine requirement, effective Monday, February 14, 2022.
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India: Quarantine Requirement for International Travelers
Posted January 18, 2022
All international travelers are still required to obtain a negative COVID test prior to arrival and complete a self-declaration form through Air Suviddha.
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Ukraine Security Alert
Posted January 18, 2022
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine issued a Security Alert on January 12 reminding U.S. citizens that security conditions in the region may change with little or no notice.
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INDIA: Advisory on Tourist Visas
October 26, 2021
The Government of India has decided to issue fresh tourist visas with effect from 15 October, 2021 for group tourism and from 15 November, 2021 for individual travel.
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ADOPTION 101: Free informational webinar
October 12, 2021
In honor of National Adoption Month, NCFA is presenting ADOPTION 101: A free, informational webinar for people considering or just starting the adoption process.
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Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021
Posted June 14, 2021
There have been important changes to the Child Tax Credit that will help many families receive advance payments starting this summer.
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Bulgarian President Appoints Interim Government
Posted May 13, 2021
The interim government, appointed by President Rumen Radev on May 11, will be in office until a new government is appointed following the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the month of July, 2021.
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Update on Travel to Bulgaria for Adoptive Parents
Posted May 10, 2021
There is an updated Bulgarian Ministry of Health (MOH) order issued on May 1, 2021 that makes it easier for citizens of many countries, including the United States, to travel to Bulgaria.
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Adoption Travel – India
Posted May 5, 2021
The Indian Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and the U.S. Embassy have in the past months been working diligently to process cases as expeditiously as possible, while following Indian quarantine protocols to combat COVID-19.
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UPDATE on China Post Adoption Report Submission
Posted April 15, 2021
Effective immediately, China requires that adoptive parents complete and submit the standard 6 post adoption reports through their adoption agency. After the completion of the 6th report, adoptive parents will submit directly to China additional required post adoption updates, every year until their child turns 18.
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Ukraine: Under adaptive quarantine until April 30, 2021
Posted April 5, 2021
In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Kyiv city government has introduced stricter quarantine measures starting March 20.
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Random Covid testing at Delhi airport, mandatory quarantine for those found positive
Posted March 31, 2021
Random testing of passengers arriving from states witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases will be done at the Delhi airport and those found positive will be “mandatorily quarantined”.
INDIA: Renewal of IAN’s CARA License
Posted March 27, 2021
On March 26th, 2021, CARA issued the renewal of International Adoption Net’s license to process inter-country adoption cases from India.
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India: New COVID Testing Requirements
Posted March 4, 2021
U.S. Embassy New Delhi has informed the Office of Children’s Issues that India’s Civil Aviation Ministry in addition to requiring a negative COVID test result 72 hours prior to departure from the United States to India, a negative COVID test, taken up to 72 hours prior to departure, is now required to enter New Delhi from these five states in India.
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Free Webinar Series for Prospective Adoptive Parents
Posted February 23, 2021
NCFA Announces the Spring 2021 Webinar Series for Adoption Professionals and Prospective Adoptive Parents.
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Understanding the Adoption Tax Credit
Posted February 15, 2021
The Adoption Tax Credit can significantly offset the costs and fees of an adoption process, but prospective adoptive parents need to ensure they understand the basics before determining how much it can help them.
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Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States
Posted January 26, 2021
If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States (US) and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).
Bulgaria: CDC COVID Testing Requirement
Posted January 21, 2021
The US Embassy in Bulgaria has confirmed the new testing requirements for travelers to the USA, effective as of January 26.
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CDC Expands Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers Entering the United States
Posted January 14, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
Posted December 3, 2020
According to the Embassy of India Consular services: It is informed that VFS Global is the service provider for OCI services for the Embassy of India, Washington DC or its Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.
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CCCWA Temporary Hold On Processing Intercountry Adoptions
Posted November 18, 2020
In recent discussions with the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), Chinese officials indicated that CCCWA continues their current policy to not process intercountry adoptions of children from social welfare institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in other countries.
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New Delhi, India: 7 day domestic travel quarantine no longer required
Posted November 12, 2020
According to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, the 7 day quarantine requirement for domestic travel no longer exists.
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Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
Posted October 21, 2020
According to the Embassy of India website, Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) is no longer the service provider for OCI services for the Embassy of India, Washington DC or its Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.
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Congress Enacts Intercountry Adoption Information Act
Posted October 2, 2020
Yesterday, Congress enacted the Intercountry Adoption Information Act which is now awaiting the President’s signature to be made law.
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Update: Indian Visas for Adoption Cases
Posted September 16, 2020
This is an update to our August 21, 2020 notice on the status of adoptions from India. Following discussions between Embassy New Delhi and the Indian government, Embassy New Delhi advises us that the Ministry of External Affairs has agreed to issue visas to adopting parents to allow them to travel to India and finalize their adoptions.
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Cancellation of Previously Issued Indian Visas/Travel Advisory
Posted September 14, 2020
The Embassy in New Delhi has advised the U.S. Department of State that visas issued by the Indian Embassy or any Indian Consulate to foreign nationals, including U.S. prospective adoptive parents, prior to India’s implementation of COVID-19 restrictions on March 13, 2020, are no longer valid.
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USCIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce
Posted August 27, 2020
Drastic cuts will impact agency operations for foreseeable future
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the agency will avert an administrative furlough of more than 13,000 employees, scheduled to begin Aug. 30 as a result of unprecedented spending cuts and a steady increase in daily incoming revenue and receipts.
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USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
Posted August 11, 2020
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that they are making adjustments to fees for certain USCIS services, to ensure that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is able to continue covering costs.
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Bulgaria: Important Notice Regarding Article 5 Issuance
Posted July 24, 2020
The Immigrant Visa Unit in Sophia, Bulgaria has determined that, while the Bulgarian entry restrictions for American citizens remain in place, the Embassy can issue Article 5 letters in cases where the initial meeting between the adoptive families and the adopted children is conducted online.
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International Flights to India to Resume
Posted July 21, 2020
India has established individual bilateral air bubbles with France, Germany and the US that will allow airlines of each country in the pact to operate international flights, said the Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday, July 16.
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Renewal of IAN’s Hague Accreditation
Posted June 30, 2020
IAN has proudly been a Hague Accredited adoption agency since April 1, 2008, and we are very pleased to announce that the renewal of our Hague Accreditation has been approved for another 4 years!
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USCIS Response to COVID-19
Posted on June 17, 2020
Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices will resume non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. Application support centers will resume services later.
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USCIS June 4 Extension Closure
Posted on May 6, 2020
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Special Needs Spotlight on Dwarfism
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Looking Towards the Future for Chinese Adoptions
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Updated China Adoption Requirements
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International Adoption Net’s China Adoptive Families Picnic 2017
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The Importance of the Post Adoption Report
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Transfer of EACI India and China adoption cases to IAN
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Continue reading “Important Adoption Announcement”
India Waiting Kids: Special Need Spotlight on Ambiguous genitalia
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5 Questions to Ask If You Are Considering Adoption
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