One Thousand Hague Adoption Visas Issued

The U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China recently issued its 1,000th Hague adoption visa since the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention went into force for the United States on April 1, 2008.  The Hague Adoption Convention is an international agreement which establishes international standards of practices to provide safeguards in the intercountry adoption process and works to ensure the best interests of children.  Approximately 80 countries are party to the Convention. 

The U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou has taken numerous steps to work closely with the Chinese Central Adoption Authority to usher in the Convention adoption process.  The issuance of more than 1,000 Hague adoption visas by the U.S. Consulate demonstrates an important milestone for the children being adopted by U.S. citizen parents in accordance with the rules of the Convention.  It also demonstrates close cooperation between China and the United States to seek permanent homes for children when a suitable family has not been found in the child’s country of origin. Visas are issued by the U.S. Consulate in China thereby allowing a foreign child entry into the U.S. after their adoption has been finalized.