Essential Facts About Aging Out and the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
When a child of an immigrant turns 21 before their green card application is approved, they may face a problem known as “aging out.” This issue can jeopardize their eligibility for permanent residency. Fortunately, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) was created to protect many children in this situation by applying a special calculation, known as the CSPA age, that can preserve their eligibility.
To benefit from the protections of CSPA, applicants must remain unmarried throughout the process. This law plays a crucial role in safeguarding children from losing their immigration benefits due to long visa processing delays.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys explain how CSPA works, who qualifies, and what steps families should take to ensure their children remain protected under U.S. immigration law.
What Does “Aging Out” Mean?
Under U.S. immigration law, a “child” is defined as an unmarried individual under the age of 21. Once a person turns 21, they are no longer considered an immediate relative for green card purposes. Instead, they are moved into a different visa preference category, which typically results in much longer wait times.
Before CSPA was enacted in 2002, turning 21 almost always meant losing a place in the immigration line. Families often faced heartbreaking delays and setbacks. With CSPA, however, the law introduced a formula that calculates a person’s CSPA age, which in many cases allows those who have turned 21 to still be treated as a child for immigration purposes. The key requirement remains the same: the applicant must be unmarried to qualify.
Immigration attorneys at Green Card Link are dedicated to guiding families through this process, ensuring they understand how CSPA may apply to their case.
Who Is Eligible for CSPA Protection?
The Child Status Protection Act extends eligibility to several categories of applicants, including:
- Immediate relatives (children of U.S. citizens, including children of widows and widowers)
- Family-sponsored preference applicants (such as children of permanent residents or U.S. citizens under certain categories)
- VAWA self-petitioners and derivative applicants
- Employment-based preference derivative applicants
- Diversity Visa (DV) lottery derivative applicants
- Derivative refugees (CSPA age is determined by the age when the refugee parent’s I-590 was filed or the date of their USCIS interview)
- Derivative asylees (CSPA age is based on the age when the asylee parent filed Form I-589)
Because CSPA eligibility depends on a precise calculation, it is vital to have experienced legal guidance. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys help families determine whether their children can benefit from CSPA protections and assist in preparing the necessary documentation to safeguard their immigration rights.
✅ Key Takeaway: The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is a lifeline for families facing long immigration wait times. It can allow children who “age out” to keep their eligibility for a green card—but only if all requirements are carefully met.
Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Eligibility and Guidance
The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) offers critical protection for certain applicants pursuing lawful permanent residency in the United States. You may qualify for CSPA if you are applying for a Green Card in one of the designated categories and your Form I-485 or one of the petitions below was filed or considered pending on or after August 6, 2002:
- Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-360: Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
- Form I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- Form I-526: Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
- Form I-589: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
- Form I-590: Registration for Classification as a Refugee
- Form I-730: Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
What Is a Derivative Applicant?
A derivative applicant is an intending immigrant who cannot be directly petitioned for but may gain the ability to adjust status through the principal applicant. The principal applicant is the main individual on the immigration petition (such as on Form I-485).
For example, consider this scenario: A client from Brazil was petitioned for permanent residency by his U.S. citizen spouse. Their 12-year-old daughter was included as a dependent on his I-485 application. In this case, the daughter is classified as a derivative applicant. As long as she remains unmarried, she benefits from CSPA protections.
Generally, unmarried children under 21 and spouses of a principal applicant are considered derivative applicants. However, this does not apply to spouses or children of U.S. citizens, since they fall under the category of immediate relatives for immigration purposes.
If you are uncertain about how to calculate your child’s CSPA age, the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can guide you through the process.
CSPA for Asylees and Refugees
If your parent filed Form I-589 (Application for Asylum) before you turned 21, your age is effectively “frozen” as of that filing date, preventing you from aging out. However, to qualify for derivative asylum or later adjustment under INA Section 209, you must remain unmarried.
By contrast, derivative refugees are automatically protected, but unmarried status is still a requirement for asylee derivatives seeking a Green Card.
CSPA for Immediate Relatives
Children of U.S. citizens, individuals self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and certain derivatives qualify for CSPA protection. For these applicants, your CSPA age is calculated based on your age at the time Form I-130 or Form I-360 was filed.
If the petition was submitted before you turned 21, you are eligible for CSPA protection and will not age out.
A unique situation arises if a U.S. citizen spouse passes away before final approval of the petition. In this case, Form I-130 is automatically converted to a Form I-360 (widow(er)’s petition). Any unmarried children under 21 of the widow(er) may qualify as derivative applicants under the CSPA.
CSPA for Family, Employment, and Diversity Visa Applicants
Applicants in the family preference, employment-based, and Diversity Visa categories calculate their CSPA age using the following formula:
Age at Visa Availability – Time Petition Was Pending = CSPA Age
To qualify, you must remain unmarried.
The visa availability date is determined by the Final Action Dates chart in the Visa Bulletin. As of August 15, 2025, USCIS requires using the Final Action Dates chart rather than the Dates for Filing chart for CSPA calculations. This adjustment may make eligibility more restrictive since Final Action Dates are often years behind Dates for Filing.
CSPA Immigration FAQs
Does CSPA apply to both family-based and employment-based immigration categories?
Yes. CSPA protections extend to family-based, employment-based, asylum, refugee, and Diversity Visa applicants, depending on the circumstances.
Get Legal Guidance on CSPA Protection
Understanding the Child Status Protection Act can be complex, especially when calculating your child’s CSPA age or determining eligibility as a derivative. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide personalized guidance to ensure you and your family receive the protections you are entitled to under U.S. immigration law.
📞 Contact Green Card Link today to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney and safeguard your child’s immigration future.
Understanding the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) and How It Affects Your Immigration Case
How Does CSPA Calculate Age?
The way the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) calculates an applicant’s age depends on the immigrant category involved. For family-based, employment-based, and diversity visa immigrants, the calculation follows this formula:
CSPA Age = (Age on Visa Availability Date) – (Pending Time)
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Determine Visa Availability Date
This is the date when a visa number becomes available for you according to the Final Action Dates chart in the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
Step 2: Calculate Pending Time
Pending time refers to the number of days between the initial filing of your petition and the date it was approved.
Step 3: Subtract Pending Time
Subtract the pending time from your actual age on the Visa Availability Date.
The result is your CSPA age, which may allow you to remain eligible as a “child” even if you are over 21.
What Does CSPA Stand For?
CSPA stands for the Child Status Protection Act, a federal law enacted in 2002 to help protect children from “aging out” of eligibility due to long immigration processing times.
Can a Parent File for a Child Over 21?
Yes. U.S. citizen parents can petition for their foreign-born children even if they are over the age of 21. However, these cases typically involve lengthy waiting times, often lasting several years depending on the visa category and country of origin.
How Long Does It Take to Petition a Child Over 21?
For unmarried children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are over 21, the petition process (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) may take three years or more before approval. After that, the child must wait for an immigrant visa number to become available, which varies based on country-specific quotas.
How Long Does the NVC Take to Send an Interview Letter in 2025?
According to the U.S. Department of State, the National Visa Center (NVC) is generally scheduling interviews within 3–6 months after receiving all required documents. However, the timeline depends on the workload of the specific embassy or consulate handling the case.
When Does the CSPA Age Freeze?
The point at which your CSPA age “freezes” depends on multiple factors, including your visa category and whether you are the principal applicant or a derivative beneficiary. The law itself was enacted in 2002, but eligibility determinations vary based on your unique circumstances.
Does CSPA Apply to the F4 Category?
Yes, the CSPA does apply to the F4 category. For example:
- Children under 21 of lawful permanent residents fall under F2A.
- Sons and daughters over 21 are categorized under F2B.
This distinction matters greatly because wait times between categories differ significantly. Applicants should regularly check the Visa Bulletin to monitor updates.
How Does CSPA Work for K-4 Visa Holders?
If you entered the U.S. on a K-4 visa (as the child of a K-3 spouse), you may still be protected under the CSPA if:
- Your U.S. citizen step-parent married your K-3 parent before your 18th birthday, and
- The I-130 petition was filed before you turned 21.
In these cases, your age is essentially “frozen,” ensuring that you qualify as a child (immediate relative) for immigration purposes.
Documents Required for CSPA Determination
When seeking a CSPA determination, applicants are typically required to provide the following:
- DS-260 confirmation page
- Valid passport and birth certificate
- Proof of marital status of both the child and principal applicant
- $325 non-refundable visa application processing fee
How Green Card Link Can Help You
Understanding the CSPA and calculating eligibility can be complex. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys have extensive experience helping families navigate these complicated rules. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link have successfully guided thousands of clients through the immigration process, helping parents and children reunite in the United States.
If you have additional questions about the Child Status Protection Act or want to confirm how it applies to your situation, the best first step is to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link.
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