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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Intercountry Adoption

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Country Information

Pakistan

Pakistan
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reissued after periodic review with updates to reflect the security environment.

Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to: 

  • Balochistan province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism.
  • The immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

Country Summary: Violent extremist groups continue to plot attacks in Pakistan. Terrorist attacks are frequent in Balochistan and KP, including the former FATA. Large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in numerous casualties, and small-scale attacks are frequent. Terrorism and ongoing violence by extremist elements have led to indiscriminate attacks on civilian, as well as local military and police targets. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and government facilities. Terrorists have targeted U.S. diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past. 

Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit. Being near a protest can draw scrutiny from Pakistani security forces. U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests and for posting content on social media perceived as critical of the Pakistani government, military, or officials. Internet and mobile phone service outages are common, especially during protests.  

Pakistan’s security environment remains fluid, sometimes changing with little or no notice. There are greater security resources and infrastructure in the major cities, particularly Islamabad, and security forces in these areas may be more readily able to respond to an emergency compared to other areas of the country.

The government of Pakistan restricts the travel of U.S. government personnel working in Pakistan. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide services to U.S. citizens in KP, Balochistan, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, and most areas outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi as U.S. government personnel must obtain special authorization to travel to those locales. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates require U.S. government personnel to use armed escorts and armored vehicles when traveling in certain parts of the country, both for official and personal travel. Additional restrictions on movements can occur suddenly and at any time, depending on local circumstances and security conditions. U.S. government personnel on assignment in Pakistan are prohibited from attending most large gatherings.  

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Pakistani citizens who have been arrested or detained as Pakistani law considers such individuals to be citizens of Pakistan.

The U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar does not provide consular services.  Services for U.S. citizens are available from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, and the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore. 

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Pakistan. 

If you decide to travel to Pakistan:      

  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Vary your travel routes and timing. 
  • Remain aware of your surroundings, particularly around public markets, restaurants, police installations, places of worship, government and military institutions, and other locations. 
  • Be cognizant of local events. Avoid demonstrations or other large gatherings.
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Obtain travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuations.
  • Review local laws and conditions before traveling.
  • Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Find a suggested list of such documents here.
  • Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization. 
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter. 
  • Review the Country Security Report for Pakistan. 
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergencies. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. 

Balochistan Province – Level 4: Do Not Travel 

Do not travel to Balochistan province. Extremist groups, including an active separatist movement, have conducted deadly terrorist attacks against civilians, religious minorities, government offices, and security forces.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.  

KP Province, including the former FATA – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to KP province, which includes the former FATA.  Active terrorist and insurgent groups routinely conduct attacks against civilians, non-governmental organizations, government offices, and security forces.  These groups historically have targeted both government officials and civilians. Assassination and kidnapping attempts are common, including the targeting of polio eradication teams and Government of Pakistan security service (police and military) personnel.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.  

Vicinity of Line of Control – Level 4: Do Not Travel 

Do not travel to the India-Pakistan border, including areas along the Line of Control. Militant groups are known to operate in the area. India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official Pakistan-India border crossing point for persons who are not citizens of India or Pakistan is in the province of Punjab between Wagah, Pakistan, and Atari, India. Travelers are advised to confirm the status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel. An Indian visa is required to enter India, and no visa services are available at the border.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.  

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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
No

Hague Convention Information

Pakistan is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section  204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F). Under the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act (UAA), which became effective on July 14, 2014, the accreditation requirement and standards, which previously only applied in Convention cases, now also apply in non-Convention or “orphan” cases. The UAA requires that an accredited or approved adoption service provider acts as a primary provider in every case, and that adoption service providers providing adoption services on behalf of prospective adoptive parents be accredited or approved, or be a supervised or exempted provider. Adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents should review the State Department’s Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 webpage for further information. The intercountry adoption of children from non-Convention countries continue to be processed under the Orphan Process with the filing of the Forms I-600A and I-600. However, adoption service providers should be aware of the information on the USCIS website on the impact on Form I-600A and Form I-600 adjudications under the UAA, including the requirement that all home studies, including home study updates and amendments, comply with the Convention home study requirements, which differ from the orphan home study requirements that were in effect before July 14, 2014.

Adopting a child in Pakistan can be a long, difficult, and legally-complex process. The Guardians and Wards Act of 1890 governs the rights and interests of minors in Pakistan. Pakistani law and Islamic Shari’a law, upon which Pakistan family law is largely based, does not allow for adoptions of Pakistani children in Pakistan. According to Pakistan's laws, prospective adoptive parents who are non-Muslim may not be appointed guardians of Muslim children, and non-Christians may not be appointed guardians of Christian children. Children abandoned at an Islamic orphanage are deemed Muslim unless there is evidence to the contrary.

U. S. citizens considering adoption of a Pakistani child must obtain guardianship for emigration and adoption in the United States from the Family Court that has jurisdiction over the prospective adoptive child’s place of residence.  In order for the child to be eligible to receive an immigrant visa, the guardianship order must specifically give permission for the child to emigrate and be adopted in another country.  Prospective adoptive parents should refer to our information sheet on Adoption of Children from Countries in which Islamic Shari'a Law is observed for more information.

Prospective adoptive parents should exercise caution and are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use. Prospective adoptive parents may be targets for unscrupulous lawyers or adoption agencies that may not be able to deliver on their promises.  Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s consular section by email at AdoptionsPakistan@state.gov, or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) National Benefits Center at NBC.Adoptions@dhs.gov, before applying for guardianship of a child to ensure that proper procedures have been followed.

U.S. Immigration Requirements

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Pakistan, you must meet certain suitability and eligibility requirements. USCIS determines who is suitable and eligible to adopt a child from another country and bring that child to live in the United States under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States with an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

Who Can Adopt

Pakistan has no statute that provides for the adoption of children; thus there is no law setting forth age, residency, or marriage requirements. In general, adoptions are a community matter in Pakistan. People often opt for informal adoptions according to their faith, outside the Family Courts. Such informal adoptions do not meet the criteria set forth in the U.S. law for the issuance of an immigration visa to an adopted child. Prospective adoptive parents must comply with U.S. legal requirements in the I-600 process and applicable provisions of the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890 in Pakistan.

Who Can Be Adopted

If you have a particular child for adoption in mind—especially a relative—you may wish to consult a lawyer or USCIS to assist you in determining whether the child meets the definition of orphan in U.S. law before proceeding.

Please note that in order for a child to meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law, a Form I-600 petition must be filed while the child is under the age of 16 (or under the age of 18 if adopted or to be adopted together with a sibling under the age of 16).

Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.

How to Adopt

Pakistan’s Adoption Authority
Pakistan does not have a central government adoption authority. Guardianship proceedings are handled by the Family Courts.

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Pakistan generally includes the following steps:

  1. Choose a U.S. Accredited or Approved Adoption Service Provider To Act as Your Primary Provider
  2. Apply to USCIS to be Found Suitable and Eligible to Adopt (Form I-600A) (or file a Form I-600 combination filing to have USCIS review both your suitability and eligibility as an adoptive parent and the child’s status as an orphan at the same time)
  3. Apply to Pakistan’s Authorities to Adopt, and to be Matched with a Child
  4. Obtain Legal Custody of the Child in Pakistan for Purposes of Emigration and Adoption
  5. Apply for Your Child to be Found Eligible to Immigrate to the United States as an Orphan (Form I-600)
  6. Secure a U.S. Immigrant Visa if You Intend to Reside with Your Child in the United States
  7. Obtain U.S. Citizenship for Your Child

1. Choose a U.S. Accredited or Approved Adoption Service Provider to Act as Your Primary Provider

The accredited agency or approved person you identify as the primary provider is responsible for:

  • Ensuring that all six adoption services defined at 22 CFR 96.2 are provided consistent with applicable laws and regulations;
  • Supervising and being responsible for any supervised providers, and otherwise complying with the requirements regarding the provision of adoption services using other providers.   (see 22 CFR 96.14); and
  • Developing and implementing a service plan in accordance with 22 CFR 96.44.

For more information on primary providers and the UAA, please see Universal Accreditation Act of 2012.  See additional guidance for limited situations when a primary provider may not be required.  Learn more about Agency Accreditation.

2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt

In order to adopt a child from Pakistan, you will need to meet the requirements of both Pakistan law and U.S. immigration law.

To meet U.S. immigration requirements, you may also file an I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be found eligible and suitable to adopt. As of July 14, 2014, unless an exception applies, the home study must comply with the requirements in 8 CFR 204.311 and 22 CFR Part 96.47.

3. Be Matched with a Child

Pakistani law requires that an orphanage be licensed under the relevant local laws. In addition, Pakistani law requires that guardianship of a Pakistani child be appointed by the competent authority (i.e., the family court having jurisdiction) in compliance with local laws. Fulfilment of these legal requirements may be used to initiate the filing of a Form I-600 petition on behalf of a Pakistani child as an orphan under U.S. immigration law.

The child must be eligible for guardianship according Pakistan’s requirements, as described in the “Who Can Be Adopted” section above. The child must also meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law.

4. Gain Legal Custody of the Child in Pakistan

The process for gaining legal custody in Pakistan includes the following:

  • Role of Adoption Authority: Pakistan does not have a central government adoption authority.
  • Role of Licensed Orphanages: Once prospective adoptive parents have identified a child through a licensed orphanage, the orphanage provides the prospective adoptive parents with a letter describing the identity and social history of the child. The prospective adoptive parents or their attorney in Pakistan can file an application for guardianship in Family Court with this letter.
  • Role of the Court: Family Courts have jurisdiction over the guardianship of children. If the Family Court grants the prospective adoptive parents guardianship, it will issue a record of the proceedings, a guardianship order, and a guardianship certificate. The certificate must state that guardianship is granted for purposes of immigration to and adoption in the United States.
  • Role of Adoption Agencies: There are no adoption agencies in Pakistan.
  • Adoption Application: There is no adoption application. Prospective adoptive parents petition the Family Court for guardianship of a specific child.
  • Role of Lawyers: Attorneys assist prospective adoptive parents with understanding the process for obtaining guardianship of a Pakistani child through the Family Court, file the prospective adoptive parents’ petition for guardianship with the Family Court, and obtain final court documents. A list of attorneys is available on the U.S. Embassy’s website here under "local resources."
  • Time Frame: It is difficult to estimate how long it will take for prospective adoptive parents to obtain guardianship of a child through the Family Court.
  • Adoption Fees: Fees vary widely and may include lawyer’s fees, court fees, expedite fees, charges for court documents, etc. The UAA and Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA) make it unlawful to improperly influence relinquishment of parental rights, parental consent relating to adoption of a child, or a decision by an entity performing Central Authority functions.
  • Documents Required: The following documents are required to complete the adoption process:
    • Proof of U.S. citizenship of the prospective adoptive parents;
    • Proof of marriage of the prospective adoptive parents, if married; if the prospective adoptive parent is divorced, proof of the termination of all previous marriages;
    • Fingerprint cards for the prospective adoptive parents and all other adult members of the prospective adoptive parents’ household;
    • Approved home-study report.
  • Authentication of Documents: You may be asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic. If so, the Department of State’s Authentications Office may be able to assist.

Caution: Pakistani documents on rupee paper and documents notarized by a lawyer are not considered official documents. The Embassy will only accept original or court certified documents related to guardianships in Pakistan.

Obtaining fraudulent documents is against the law in Pakistan.

5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Orphan Status

After you gain legal custody in Pakistan, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must determine whether the child meets the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law. You will need to file a Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.

You must have an approved Form I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative before an immigrant visa may be issued. You may file your Form I-600 petition in the U.S. or at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad provided you have a valid, approved I-600A on record.

6. Bring Your Child Home

Once you have obtained legal custody of the child, you will need to apply for several documents for your child before you can apply for a U.S. immigrant visa to bring your child home to the United States:

Birth Certificate
If you have gained legal custody of the child in Pakistan, you will first need to apply for a new birth certificate, referred to as the Child Registration Certificate (CRC), for your child.

You should take your guardianship certificate (issued by the Family Court) to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to amend your child's Form B, listing you as the parents. You may apply for a Pakistani passport for your child with the amended form and your guardianship certificate. Please refer to the information on how to obtain a new CRC for your child. Please note that you will also need to submit the child’s original birth certificate showing the names of the biological parents (if identified) to the Immigrant Visa Unit when you apply for the immigrant visa.

Pakistani Passport
Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or passport from Pakistan.

Information on how to apply for a Pakistan passport for your child may be found at.

U.S. Immigrant Visa
After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child and you have filed Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, you then need to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa for your child from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the consular officer must be provided the Panel Physician’s medical report on the child. At the time you file your Form I-600 petition, the adjudicating officer will determine whether the UAA applies or if your case is UAA grandfathered. For more information on UAA grandfathering and transition cases please see Universal Accreditation Act of 2012. Unless an exception applies, you must identify a primary provider in your case and the adjudicating officer may ask for the name and contact information of the primary provider if not provided in your Form I-600 petition. This information is required and, without it, your Form I-600 petition cannot be approved.

You can find instructions for applying for an immigrant visa on U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s website.

Prospective adoptive parents who plan to file their Form I-600 with the U.S. Embassy Islamabad should contact the consular section by email at AdoptionsPakistan@state.gov to confirm that they have a valid approved Form I-600A on record and to make an appointment to file Form I-600 and supporting documents.

Prospective adoptive parents are reminded that consular officers are required by law to conduct a Form I-604 Determination on Child for Adoption (sometimes informally referred to as the “orphan investigation”) to verify the child's orphan status before an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa may be issued. In light of the security situation in Pakistan, it can take six months or more to complete an orphan investigation, even if the Form I-600 petition is already approved. Cases in which a child’s orphan status cannot be confirmed must be forwarded to USCIS for review and final determination. Prospective adoptive parents should have flexible travel plans if they plan to remain in Pakistan until the Form I-604 is completed.

Once the consular section receives the family’s approved Form I-600 petition, staff will contact the family by email concerning their next steps. Immigrant visa applicants must complete a series of forms – details of which will be provided to the prospective adoptive parents by the consular section – before the immigrant visa interview may take place. Once the prospective adoptive parents have compiled all of the documents required for the immigrant visa interview, they must email the consular section at AdoptionsPakistan@state.gov to schedule their child’s immigrant visa appointment. A consular officer conducts the interview and, if the application is approved, issues the visa. A consular officer must see the adopted child in person before the immigrant visa may be issued and the biological parents may also be asked to appear at the consular section to verify the terms of the guardianship arrangement.

Note: Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes at least 24 working hours and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview. Adoptive parents should not make final travel arrangements before they receive the visa.

Child Citizenship Act

For adoptions finalized after the child’s entry into the United States: An adoption will need to be completed following your child’s entry into the United States for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.

*Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible.  Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.

Read more about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.

Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.

Obtaining a Visa to Travel to Pakistan
In addition to a U.S. passport, you may also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are affixed to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Pakistan, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information.

Caution: If your Pakistani visa expires while you are in Pakistan it will be very difficult to exit.

Also, if you lose your passport it will be very difficult to leave Pakistan, even with a replacement U.S. passport, as the Government of Pakistan requires all passengers to show the visa or NICOB they used to enter Pakistan at the time of departure. We strongly recommend making copies of your passport and Pakistani visa. When you arrive, we suggest that you make a copy of the entry stamp, and send these copies to your email address.

Staying Safe on Your Trip
We recommend you investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of Pakistan before you arrive. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling to Pakistan, we encourage you to enroll with the Department of State.  Enrollment makes it possible to contact you if necessary.  Whether there is a family emergency in the United States or a crisis in Pakistan, enrollment assists the U.S. Embassy in reaching you.

Enrollment is free and can be done online via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

After Adoption

What does Pakistan require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?
The Family Law Court may ask the adoptive parents to bring the child back to Pakistan upon request. Please consult with your lawyer for further information.

Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family, whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.

Here are some places to start your support group search:

Note: Inclusion of non-U.S. government links does not imply endorsement of contents.

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 208 0000
Fax: +92 51 262 3673
Email: AdoptionsPakistan@state.gov
Internet: https://pk.usembassy.gov/

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)
NADRA State Bank of Pakistan Bldg.
Shahrah-i-Jamhuriat, G-5/2
Islamabad – 44000
Tel: +92 51 111 786 1000

Embassy of Pakistan
3517 International Court, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20008
Tel: (202)243-6500
Email: info@imbassyofpakistanusa.org
Internet: https://www.embassyofpakistan.com/

*Pakistan also has consulates in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston and Boston.

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI, SA-17A, 9th Floor
Washington, D.C.  20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: adoption@state.gov
Internet: adoption.state.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about filing a Form I-800A application or a Form I-800 petition:
USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC):
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax: 1-913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov

For general questions about immigration procedures:
USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: June 29, 2023

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Islamabad
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5 Islamabad, Pakistan
Telephone
+(92)(51) 201-4000 or +(92)(51)201-5000
Emergency
+(92)(51) 201-4000
Fax
+(92)(51) 282-2632

Pakistan Map