In May 2007, the Government of Nepal temporarily suspended international adoptions while it evaluated and improved its adoption procedures.  This process has been completed and adoptions from the country of Nepal are now poised to continue.  In October, 2008 La Vida was licensed by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare to facilitate adoption of children from Nepal.  La Vida is accepting applications for an initial pilot program in which we expect to receive 10 to 15 children for the first year.  Families seeking to adopt through our Nepal pilot program will need an additional element of flexibility, due to the fact that  whenever new adoption regulations are implemented, there are usually unforeseen challenges, elements of the program that are unknown at inception, and/or delays and changes that arise.  The below program description and linked fee schedule have been published based upon the information currently available at this time.  We expect that additional information will become available as the program progresses and all information is subject to change at any time.

It is our hope that after the first year of the program, and provided that the Nepal International Program is successful, we might be in a position to receive referrals of approximately 5 children per month, including infants, toddlers and older children.

Country Overview:  The Republic of Nepal is a developing, landlocked and mountainous country, located along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain range between India and China. It is rich in history and culture and is the home to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, which is located on Nepal's Northern border. The country is divided into three geographical regions: rugged terrain and mountain, hills in the north that border China, and fertile southern plains known as the Terai that lie close to India's border.  Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia and the 14th poorest in the world.  The average per capita income in the Republic of Nepal is $340 per year.  Children most often come into care due to social and financial circumstances of their family of origin. 

Program History: The Republic of Nepal has been processing inter-country adoptions since 1978.  For the years 1996 through 2006, American citizens adopted an average of 30 children per year from Nepal.  In 2007, just prior to the country's decision to temporarily suspend international adoptions, the number of applications to adopt children had increased significantly.  While the statistics for 2008 are not yet published, it is believed that during early 2008, approximately 400 families completed adoptions which were begun prior to the May 2007 suspension.  This program have grown in popularity due to the relative good health of the children and the shorter length of processing when compared with many other international adoption programs.

The Children Who Need Families: Many of the children in this program have been voluntarily relinquished by their birth parents due to social and financial reasons.  The children range from 6 months to 15 years of age at the time of referral.  Referral information includes social information if available, daily routine, photos, medical evaluation, and developmental milestone information.  Most often, children come into care due to poverty in their family of origin and they reside in one of 38 orphanages participating in Nepal's inter-country adoption program.  Most of these orphanages are located in the Kathmandu Valley area and a few are located in more remote mountainous areas.  Siblings are rarely available and it is currently not possible to adopt 2 unrelated children at the same time.

Health of the Children: Overall, the health of the children adopted from Nepal has been considered to be very good when compared to the health of children available for international adoption from many other countries. Please click here for an in depth USAID study of the children residing in Nepalese Children's homes.  The file size of this document is large (10.4 MB) therefore please be patient while waiting for it to download into a new window.  The summary results begin on page 64 of the document.  While waiting for the download you may wish to minimize the window and continue reviewing the Nepal Program description.

La Vida's Support Project in Nepal: Every agency working in Nepal makes a commitment to assist in the support of a specific orphanage through a humanitarian aid program.  La Vida provides support to the Sahayogi Samaj Nepal, a private, non-government children's home, which is one of the 38, participating in Nepal inter-country adoption.  Additionally, we will be developing additional specific projects to further assist this orphanage and others.  A part of each agency fee helps to support Sahayogi Samaj Nepal and humanitarian aid projects.    

Family Eligibility*: Below are Nepal's family eligibility criteria. 

Marital Status

• Single women and married couples may adopt.

• Married couples must have a minimum length of marriage of 4 years at the time the dossier is sent to Nepal.

Age of Applicants

• Single applicants must be a minimum of 35 years and a maximum of 54 years of age at the time the dossier is sent to Nepal. 

• Married applicants must be a minimum (both spouses) of 30 years of age at the time the dossier is sent to Nepal.  There is no specified upper age limit.

• Applicants may have no more than one prior divorce each. 

Nepal adoption law does not address the number of previous divorces, however, given the cultural view of divorce in Nepal, we believe that it is prudent to include this criteria.

• There must be at least a 30 year difference between the applicant and the child.  In the case of a married couple, the age of the youngest spouse would apply. 

Children Eligible to Adopt Based on Family Circumstances

• Applicants with no minor or adult children may adopt and may specify the gender of the child.

• IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE BELOW CRITERIA:  WHEN EVALUATING YOUR FAMILY'S ELIGIBILITY PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A MARRIED COUPLE AND THERE ARE ADULT OR MINOR CHILDREN FROM THE WIFE'S PREVIOUS MARRIAGE THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED.  IF THE HUSBAND HAS MINOR OR ADULT CHILDREN, FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE AND REGARDLESS OF CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS, THEY ARE CONSIDERED. 

• Applicants with one female child (minor or adult) may adopt a male child. 

• Applicants with one male child (minor or adult) may adopt a female child.

• Applicants with 2 or more children of the same gender (minor or adult) must adopt a child of the opposite gender. 

• Applicants with 2 children of opposite genders (minor or adult) are not eligible for adoption from Nepal. 

• Applicants with a child or children in the home are required to adopt a child younger than the youngest child in the home.

  General

• There are no specified minimum income requirements, however families must be financially stable and able to meet the needs of a child. A minimum annual income of $40,000 and home ownership is preferred. 

• Applicants must be physically, mentally, and medically fit. 

If you have a current or past physical health condition of possible concern, please call us to discuss your circumstances.  Some medical conditions may require support in the form of a doctor's letter of explanation. 

• Applicants may have no mental health treatment history, such as anxiety or depression.

If you are uncertain if your history will qualify, please call us to discuss your individual circumstances.

• Applicants may have no criminal history.

• Applicants may reside outside of the United States, however the applicant or at least one spouse (if a married couple) must be a U.S. citizen.

• Siblings, although rarely available, will be placed in a childless home. 

Age of Child Request

• It is strongly preferred and recommended that families request a child within a minimum 2 year age range, with 6 months being the youngest age available.  For example: 6 to 30 months; 12 to 36 months; 18  to 42 months; etc.  Applicants may also request a child within a larger age range, for example: 6 to 48 months; 1 to 5 years; etc.

Overview of the Nepal Adoption Process*: Completing an international adoption from Nepal involves multiple tasks performed here in the United States followed by travel for an approximate 2 week trip to Nepal to complete your adoption. La Vida and its representatives will guide you step by step through each of the tasks briefly outlined below.

1.  Contact us regarding available space in the Nepal Program.  If space is available, complete a La Vida application. Upon receipt of your application, we will review it and generally notify you of your eligibility within 1 to 2 business days. 

2.  Complete an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). La Vida will provide this application to you, guide you in its  completion, review and file it for you, and continue to monitor processing on your behalf.  Nepal is not a "Hague Convention country", therefore Form I-600A may be utilized. 

3.  Complete a home study. A home study report is a requirement of your state of residence, the USCIS, and the country from which you adopt. If you reside in Pennsylvania, La Vida can complete your home study.  If you live outside of Pennsylvania, we can help you to identify an acceptable state licensed home study agency and we can work in cooperation with your agency to ensure that the home study will meet US federal requirements and those of the Nepalese government.  

4.  Prepare an application for the foreign country, also known as a "dossier". La Vida will guide you through this process with comprehensive instructions, samples, and staff support.  Certification and authentication of the dossier is not required.  Your dossier will be sent to the legal consultant in Nepal who will perform a final review.  Our representative will then present your dossier to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare where it will be subsequently reviewed by a committee for approval. 

5.  Once your dossier has been received, reviewed and approved, child assignment will be made by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare. Your child assignment will be made from one of the 38 orphanages approved for inter-country adoption by the Nepal government.  You will typically receive one or more photos, social history, if available and medical information about your child.  Due to the implementation of new regulations and a newly formed body at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, at this time, the timing for referral is unknown.  It is anticipated to be within 6 months.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.  Prior to the 2007 adoption program closure, child referral was generally made within 8 months and varied according to age and gender of the child requested.

6.  Once you have been assigned and have accepted a child, your acceptance will be transmitted to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.  A final review of your dossier and child acceptance will then be completed.  Travel is expected to be issued within 6 weeks of submittal of your formal child acceptance.   

7.  You will travel to Nepal for an approximate 2 week stay.  In the case of married couples, it is strongly recommended that both spouses travel; however, if this is not possible, one spouse may travel and utilize a power of attorney to complete the adoption on behalf of both parents.  You will receive your child shortly after you arrive and your child will remain with you during your stay in Nepal. 

Time Frames*: A full dossier can typically be completed in approximately 4 to 5 months. Families with existing USCIS pre-approval should be able to complete the dossier process much more quickly.  From completion of the dossier, due to the newness of this program, the timing of child referral us unknown at this time.  Referrals of boys and children over 2 1/2 years are expected to be made more quickly.  Travel is expected to occur within 6 weeks of your formal acceptance of a child. 

Travel Requirements and In-country Arrangements*: The stay in Kathmandu, Nepal is expected to be approximately 2 weeks.  Families will travel individually, or if other families are ready to travel at the same time, you may choose to join each other.   Travel by at least one parent is required and we strongly recommend that, in the case of a married couple, both spouses travel.  You are welcome to bring family, friends, and your child or children with you.  If you wish, La Vida will arrange your air and hotel reservations or you may make these arrangements yourself.  Hotel costs vary from low end ($40) to high end ($150) per night double occupancy.  Food costs for 2 adults and 1 child per day average $50.  During your trip you will be assisted by our representative and a lawyer to complete the adoption.  During free time, you may choose to enlist the services of a guide and sight see.

Post Placement Requirements*: Once you return home with your child, a period of post placement supervision exists and serves multiple purposes: to assist the family and child with any needs that they may have; to share in the joy of your new arrival; and to reassure the country government that children placed with U.S. citizens are happy, healthy, and thriving.  This assurance helps to pave the way for other waiting children to join their forever families. 

In accordance with Nepal requirements, post placement visits are required at intervals following the completion of the adoption and your return home.  Current post placement supervision requirements provide for home visits and self reporting.  Nepal requires 3 home visits and agency supervision during the first 2 years after your return home with your child.  These visit occur at 3, 6, and 12 months after your return home.  Additionally, the government of Nepal requires that you provide self-written reports and photographs to La Vida International every year until your child is 16 years of age.  These annual reports begin at 24 months after your return home and will be provided to the Ministry.  Before applying to this program, please carefully consider this on-going commitment, which is taken seriously by La Vida and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.  With regard to all post placement requirements, families will enter into a contract with the agency and fulfillment of the commitment to the timely submission of reports and photographs will be a requirement. 

Program Fees*  Please click here for a current Nepal Program fee schedule. 

How do I begin the adoption process?:  Please complete, sign, and submit a La Vida application. 

*   Please note that this adoption program recommencing after a period of suspension and procedural changes.  The country of Nepal has made, and still continues to make, changes to and refinements in the adoption program and process. As such, the Nepal program is now beginning as a pilot program and all information presented, including details of; eligibility requirement; steps of the process; procedures; waiting times; health, age, and availability of children; government processing; etc. is subject to change and refinement.  Please be assured that if and when any new information is received, you will be kept fully informed.