Nepal
USCIS Announcement - Suspension of Nepal Adoptions
USCIS Q&A - Suspension of Nepal Adoptions
Namaste. Welcome to our Nepal Adoption Program. Across The World Adoptions (ATWA) is Hague Accredited and we are also accredited by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MOWCSW) in Nepal.
Children Who May Be Adopted?
The children eligible for adoption are of Asian or East Indian heritage. Referrals are made by the MOWCSW. The very youngest child will probably be about 10 months old at the time of travel. We are always seeking families for older and special needs children.
Who May Adopt?
- One adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen.
- Married Couples must be married at least 4 years.
- Single women 35 to 55 years. Single women may be either unmarried or widowed or divorced or legally separated.
- The age difference between the children to be adopted and the adoptive parent/s must be more than 30 years.
- Parent/s already having a son or daughter shall not be allowed to adopt children of the same gender.
- If a family has children of both genders, they are not eligible to adopt from Nepal.
- A family with a child already in the home must adopt a child who is younger. This provision does not apply if the children to be adopted are siblings.
Time Frame
2010 dossiers are being accepted until September 15, 2010. From submission of dossier until a child referral is approximately six to eight months. After accepting a referral, it may be another three to four months to travel.
Travel
Adoptive parents will make one trip to Nepal, which may last three to four weeks and includes an interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu for the child's immigrant visa. Families will stay in or near Kathmandu. If married, both parents are expected to travel, with few exceptions. Parents are met at the airport by the English speaking in-country team and are escorted throughout their trip for adoption-related appointments.
The Process
Nepal is not yet a Hague Country but it is working toward that goal. Therefore it is important to understand that laws and regulations can change. Under our guidance, adoptive parents complete their home study, obtain CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) approval and build a dossier of documents needed for an adoption from Nepal. Information about a referred child consists of a medical, social, developmental and background report (as available) along with pictures of the child. Nepal requires annual post-adoption reports with pictures until the child reaches age 18. These will be completed by the families. ATWA requires two visits with an agency social worker at six and twelve months post-adoption.
Fees and Expenses
Program fees encompass all professional services. Additional expenses include pre-adoption costs like the CIS fee, the home study, fingerprint checks, and the cost of documents as well as travel expenses, U.S. embassy fees and required post-adoption reports.
About Nepal
Nepal is a wondrous land, located north of India and south of China. Home to Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, the country has an almost mystical quality, with traditional festivals for every occasion throughout the year. The flag of Nepal is very unique as it includes two pennants which symbolize the hope that Nepal will exist as long as the sun and the moon.
For more information, please contact Across The World Adoptions by phone: (925) 356-6260 or by email: adopt@atwakids.org. You may request more information filling out this form..
