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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.

Continue reading Updated – Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine

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.

Continue reading Information about DHS Program, Uniting for Ukraine

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.

Continue reading Updated – Information for U.S. Citizens in the Process of Adopting Children from Ukraine

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.

Continue reading Ukraine – Statement by Department of State’s Special Advisor for Children’s Issues

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.

Continue reading Ukraine – Ministry of Social Policy Statement on Intercountry Adoption

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.

Continue reading U.S. Department of State: Ukraine – Fact Sheet: How You Can Help

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.

Continue reading NCFA Free Webinar Next Week- Talking to those in the Adoption Community with Roots in Russia and Ukraine

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.

Continue reading Ukraine Update from U.S. Department of State Office of Children’s Issues

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.

Continue reading Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Special 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.

Continue reading NCFA: Regarding Refugee Children Fleeing the War in Ukraine

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.

Continue reading Do Not Travel Advisory Issued for Ukraine

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.

Continue reading India: Relaxing Quarantine for International Travelers

​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.

Continue reading India: Quarantine Requirement for International Travelers

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.

Continue reading Ukraine Security Alert

INDIA: Advisory on Tourist Visas

October 26, 2021

The Govern​​ment 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.

Continue reading INDIA: Advisory on Tourist Visas

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.

Continue reading ADOPTION 101: Free informational webinar

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.

Continue reading Advance Child Tax Credit Payments 2021

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.

Continue reading Bulgarian President Appoints Interim Government

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.

Continue reading Update on Travel to Bulgaria for Adoptive Parents

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.

Continue reading Adoption Travel – India

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.

Continue reading UPDATE on China Post Adoption Report Submission

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.

Continue reading Ukraine: Under adaptive quarantine until April 30, 2021

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”.

Continue reading Random Covid testing at Delhi airport, mandatory quarantine for those found positive

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.

Continue reading “INDIA: Renewal of IAN’s CARA License”

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.

Continue reading “India: New COVID Testing Requirements”

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.

Continue reading “Free Webinar Series for Prospective Adoptive Parents”

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.

Continue reading “Understanding the Adoption Tax Credit “

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).

Continue reading “Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States”

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.

Continue reading “Bulgaria: CDC COVID Testing Requirement”

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.

Continue reading “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.

Continue reading “Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card”

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.

Continue reading “CCCWA Temporary Hold On Processing Intercountry Adoptions”

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.

Continue reading “New Delhi, India: 7 day domestic travel quarantine no longer required”

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.

Continue reading “Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card”

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.

Continue reading “Congress Enacts Intercountry Adoption Information Act”

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.

Continue reading “Update: Indian Visas for Adoption Cases”

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.

Continue reading “Cancellation of Previously Issued Indian Visas/Travel Advisory”

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.

Continue reading “USCIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce”

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.

Continue reading “USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs”

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.

Continue reading “Bulgaria: Important Notice Regarding Article 5 Issuance”

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.

Continue reading “International Flights to India to Resume”

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!

Continue reading “Renewal of IAN’s Hague Accreditation”

 

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.

Continue reading “USCIS Response to COVID-19”

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).

Continue reading “USCIS June 4 Extension Closure”