[bthomasga]

I just posted this in the India category as well since the agency I've been speaking with handles adoptions from India as well.

Has anyone any experience with adopting from Nepal? One of the agencies I've been working with has just begun a program in Nepal and I'm really quite interested.

[sak9645]

First off, be aware that the State Department issued a travel advisory for Nepal on December 15, 2005. It is still in effect, and you can read it on the State Department website.

Basically, Americans are urged to avoid non-essential travel to Nepal because of a high level of civil unrest. Buses have been bombed, demonstrations have turned violent, and foreigners have been attacked.

If you choose to adopt from Nepal, recognize that your timetable -- or even your adoption -- could be affected if unrest worsens or the government changes. Also recognize that there could be a risk to your safety when you travel. Be sure that your adoption agency has a plan for helping to ensure your safety during travel.

Also be aware that the State Department is saying that there is a high level of visa fraud in Nepal, and that every adoption case will be receiving intense scrutiny before an IR-3 or IR-4 visa is issued. The child MUST meet U.S. criteria for immigration as an "eligible orphan". There must also be proof that a child's birthfather, not just his/her birthmother, consented in writing to the adoption.

The State Department has also warned that some Nepalese orphanages, which are not regulated by the government, try to obtain additional money from adoptive parents when they arrive to adopt their children.

With Nepal, you can adopt a child of either gender if you are childless. If you already have one child, you can adopt only a child of the opposite gender. If you have two or more children, you cannot adopt.

It is important, when dealing with a country like Nepal, to work only with the most reputable and cautious agencies. The website of the Joint Council on International Children's Services has a list of its member agency that work, or have worked, in Nepal, and this could be a good starting place for your agency search.

I have met children adopted from Nepal, and they are very beautiful. I know, too, that many children in Nepal are in need of homes because of the poverty existing in the country. So I am thoroughly supportive of adoption from Nepal. I would simply like to urge you to be careful, so that you have a positive adoption experience.

Sharon

[astra]

Wow. I too am interested in learning more about adoptions from Nepal. From what I read in the above post it gives me more to think about!

We aren't nearly ready to adopt child any time soon, but we are already researching for #2.

[NIghtPoet]

My husband and I would love to adopt from Nepal and I understand the risks involved and find myself at peace with those risks and hope that in the year to two years that we have set aside to get everything ready... ((Bigger house better car etc)) that possibly matters will have gotten better. We would also love to adopt from Tibet but from all reports I have heard for now that is impossible.

[lhotse8]

I also was interested to adopt from tibet. But it is not possible because Tibet is china