[neonie]

Hi
I hope somebody can answer my question. Me and my husband are Indian citizens and have US greencard living in US. To adopt a baby from India, do we have to be an american citizen or not. Somebody told us that we can't adopt if we have the greencard. Is it true. And another question: how much time it might take for adoption?
Thanks in advance.
Neonie

[sak9645]

The issue is not whether you can adopt in India. The issue is whether you can bring the child to the U.S.

Even if you could adopt in India, which you probably could since you are Indian citizens, you could not bring the child to the U.S. on an adoption visa. The U.S. government issues adoption visas ONLY if at least one parent is an American citizen. You would have to live overseas with the child for two years and then apply for a regular visa for him/her.

Sharon

[watermelon0719]

Originally Posted by sak9645

The issue is not whether you can adopt in India. The issue is whether you can bring the child to the U.S.

Even if you could adopt in India, which you probably could since you are Indian citizens, you could not bring the child to the U.S. on an adoption visa. The U.S. government issues adoption visas ONLY if at least one parent is an American citizen. You would have to live overseas with the child for two years and then apply for a regular visa for him/her.

Sharon

This is true. How many years until one of you can apply for a US citizenship? The Indian govt will still work fast for you, even if only one of you has an Indian passport. The length of the process for Indian citizens varies widely on which agency you choose. Good luck!

[neonie]

Thanks for your responses.
We very recently got our greencard. So I guess it will take 5 years till we can apply for US citizenship. So I guess its going to be a looooooong wait Is there any other way? May be one of us will apply for the US citizenship and other will stay on Indian citizenship.
Please suggest.
Thanks

[watermelon0719]

If you do get your US citizenship, I would recommend very strongly that one of you retain your Indian citizenship. The process works MUCH faster for Indian citizens. Sorry the wait is going to be so long!