China Waiting Children

China Adoption: Waiting Children Program

Because more than 70% of the orphans in China are considered to have special needs, special families with big hearts are needed! These children’s conditions are due to mental or physical disabilities and can range from mild and correctable to more challenging special needs.

Why Choose China's Waiting Children Program?

• We place toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children.
• Children with minor correctable or already corrected special needs are available.
• We also place children over the age of six with no medical issues or concerns.
• Adoptive parents are required to be at least thirty years of age.

Location

The children come from various provinces in China.

Reason for Availability

Boys and girls with special needs are taken to local orphanages and made available for adoption through the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA).

Children's Situation

The children live in well-run orphanages or foster homes.

Eligibility for Families

• The minimum age for applicants is thirty years old. The maximum age is younger than fifty-five at submission of dossier.
• Only heterosexual married couples may apply. Couples must be married two years if it is a first marriage. Couples must be married five years if it is a second marriage for either/both spouse(s). No more than two divorces will be accepted.
• Annual income of $10,000 per family member plus the adopted child is required. Family net worth should be $80,000 or more.
• Prospective parents must have achieved at least a high school or vocational school education.
• Families adopting special needs children will be exempt from the China program requirement stating that no more than four children may already be in the home.
• Prospective parents must have no history of domestic violence, drug usage, or excessive alcohol use.
• Prospective parents must have no criminal activity in the past ten years (no more than three total offenses). Misdemeanors more than ten years old are considered on a case by case basis.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) must be 40 or less.
• Certain medical conditions and criminal violations may cause one to be ineligible. Please speak with an AAI consultant to determine prospective adoptive parent eligibility.

Procedure

• You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI and then complete your formal application and begin your home study.
• After selecting a specific special waiting child, a letter of intent package is sent to CCAA seeking approval to adopt. You will then complete your USCIS paperwork and prepare your dossier.
• Once your dossier is completed, it is sent to China to await travel notice approval. You will then travel to China to bring your child home.

Travel

• Prospective adoptive parents will take one trip lasting approximately two weeks. You will fly into Beijing, do some sightseeing, and then travel to meet your child.
• One or both parents may travel. Unlike the regular China program, you will likely travel individually rather than in groups of families.

Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.