The Department of State is currently reviewing Japanese law regarding the transfer of custody of a child without a court order, which may affect a child’s eligibility for an adoption-based visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act.  The Department urges families with pending I-600 petitions and immigrant visa applications based on the transfer of custody of children - if such applications do not involve a court order - to consider deferring their travel to Japan to complete the visa process at this time.  The Department also urges adoption agencies not to make new referrals to U.S. prospective adoptive parents in such cases until further notice.

Please continue to monitor adoption.state.gov for updated information.  For questions about this notice or adoption related visa processing, please email the Office of Children’s Issues at adoption@state.gov.