Required age
They are under the required age when the SIJS petition is filed.
White Plains, NYC
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Lawyer (SIJS)
Legal guidance for eligible children and young people seeking immigration protection and a potential pathway to permanent residency.
Understanding SIJS
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS):
A Path Toward Safety, Stability & Permanent Residency
Personalized guidance for children, young people, and their families.
If a child or young person has experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar circumstances, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) may provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence in the United States.
At E-Z Immigration, we provide personalized guidance for individuals and families navigating SIJS immigration, including eligibility requirements, juvenile court findings, the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application, and the immigration process that may follow.
Our immigration team can help you understand whether SIJS may be an option and what steps may be required based on your individual circumstances.
Eligibility requirements
Juvenile court findings
SIJS application
Immigration process that may follow
SIJS explained
What Is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, commonly called SIJS, is a federal immigration classification available to certain children and young people in the United States who meet specific requirements involving parental abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar circumstances.
SIJS cases typically involve both a qualifying state juvenile court proceeding and a federal immigration process through USCIS.
For Spanish-speaking families, SIJS may also be referred to as visa juvenil or a juvenile immigration visa. However, the official immigration classification is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Because SIJS involves state court findings as well as federal immigration requirements, understanding the process before filing a special immigrant juvenile status application can be important.
If you are exploring immigration options for a child or young person, our Family Immigration Services can help you understand the available pathways.
SIJS eligibility factors
Who May Qualify for SIJS?
SIJS eligibility is highly fact-specific. In general, an applicant must meet requirements relating to age, marital status, physical presence in the United States, and qualifying juvenile court findings.
Depending on the circumstances, an applicant may need to establish that:
Unmarried
They are unmarried.
Physical presence
They are physically present in the United States.
Qualifying proceedings
They are involved in qualifying juvenile court or administrative proceedings.
Family reunification
Reunification with one or both parents is not viable because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under applicable state law.
Best interests
The required court makes a determination regarding the child's best interests.
USCIS requirements
The applicant satisfies applicable USCIS requirements for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification.
Not every child or young person will qualify for SIJS. The specific facts of the case, applicable state law, court jurisdiction, and immigration history should be carefully reviewed before proceeding.
The SIJS application process
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Application
The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application involves more than simply submitting an immigration form. The process generally requires appropriate findings from a qualifying juvenile court before the SIJS petition is adjudicated by USCIS. The process may include:
Initial Eligibility Review
An immigration attorney reviews the child's age, marital status, family circumstances, current living arrangement, immigration history, and other relevant information.
Juvenile Court Proceedings
A qualifying state juvenile court must have jurisdiction to make the necessary findings concerning custody, dependency, parental reunification, and the child's best interests.
Obtaining the Required Findings
The juvenile court order must contain the appropriate findings required under applicable state and federal law.
Filing the SIJS Petition
The applicant may then pursue SIJS classification through USCIS, generally using Form I-360.
Pursuing Permanent Residence
After SIJS classification is approved, an eligible applicant may be able to pursue adjustment of status and lawful permanent residence, subject to applicable requirements and visa availability.
Every application is different. If you are already in the United States and exploring adjustment options, you can learn more about our Adjustment of Status services.
Talk With Our Team
A potential pathway to lawful permanent residence
Understanding the next step
SIJS Immigration and the Path to a Green Card
One of the most important reasons families explore SIJS immigration is the potential pathway to lawful permanent residence.
However, receiving SIJS classification does not automatically grant a Green Card. An applicant must generally meet the requirements for adjustment of status or another applicable permanent residence process.
Depending on the applicant's circumstances, immigration history, and visa availability, the next step may involve an adjustment of status application.
Our team can help you understand how SIJS may fit into your broader immigration strategy.
If the applicant needs to complete an immigration process through a U.S. embassy or consulate, Consular Processing may be relevant depending on the circumstances.
Discuss Your OptionsEmployment authorization
Can SIJS Applicants Get a Work Permit?
A common question families have is whether an applicant can obtain an SIJS work permit.
SIJS classification itself should not be confused with employment authorization.
Eligibility for a work permit generally depends on the applicant's immigration status and the specific application or benefit they are pursuing.
An attorney can review the applicant's circumstances and explain whether they may be eligible to apply for employment authorization and what immigration steps may be available.
Employment authorization should be evaluated separately from SIJS classification based on the applicant's individual immigration circumstances.
Guidance through complex legal steps
Why work with an SIJS lawyer?
Why Work With a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Lawyer?
SIJS cases can involve complicated interactions between state juvenile court proceedings and federal immigration law.
Working with a special immigrant juvenile status lawyer can help families understand the requirements and avoid common problems involving eligibility, court findings, documentation, filing procedures, or timing.
An experienced immigration attorney can assist with:
- Reviewing potential SIJS eligibility
- Evaluating the child's immigration history
- Explaining juvenile court requirements
- Preparing the SIJS immigration strategy
- Preparing and filing the SIJS petition
- Reviewing supporting evidence
- Understanding adjustment of status options
- Addressing USCIS requests for additional evidence
- Exploring employment authorization options
- Identifying other potential immigration pathways
Every case is different. Legal advice should be based on the applicant's specific circumstances and the applicable law.
Frequently asked questions
SIJS Frequently Asked Questions
Find general information about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, eligibility, the application process, Green Card pathways, and work permits.
Ask Our TeamImportant: SIJS eligibility depends on the applicant's individual circumstances, applicable law, and required court findings.
What does SIJS stand for?
SIJS stands for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. It is a federal immigration classification for certain eligible children and young people who meet specific requirements.
What is the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application?
The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application refers broadly to the immigration process used to seek SIJS classification. The process generally involves qualifying juvenile court findings followed by an SIJS petition with USCIS.
What is a Special Immigrant Juvenile?
A Special Immigrant Juvenile is an individual who has been granted or is seeking the federal SIJS classification based on meeting the applicable requirements.
Is SIJS the same as a visa juvenil?
The term visa juvenil may be used informally in Spanish to describe SIJS-related immigration protection. The official U.S. immigration classification is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Can SIJS lead to a Green Card?
SIJS can provide a pathway toward lawful permanent residence for eligible applicants. However, SIJS approval itself does not automatically grant a Green Card, and additional requirements may apply.
Can SIJS applicants get a work permit?
Depending on the applicant's immigration circumstances and the applications they are eligible to file, they may be able to seek employment authorization. A case-specific review is recommended.
Do I need a special immigrant juvenile status lawyer?
Because SIJS cases can involve both juvenile court proceedings and federal immigration requirements, professional legal guidance can help identify eligibility issues, prepare documentation, and navigate the process.
Can SIJS be used for every child who has experienced abuse or neglect?
No. Abuse, neglect, or abandonment alone does not automatically qualify someone for SIJS. The applicant must satisfy the applicable federal requirements and obtain the required qualifying court findings.
Get the guidance you need
Get Help With Your SIJS Immigration Case
If you are seeking immigration protection for a child or young person, understanding your legal options is an important first step.
At E-Z Immigration, we provide compassionate and personalized guidance for families navigating Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, juvenile court requirements, immigration petitions, and potential pathways to permanent residence. Whether you are just beginning to explore SIJS or need assistance with an existing case, our team can help you understand the process and determine the appropriate next steps.