Hong Kong Adoption

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Many children in Hong Kong are waiting for a permanent, loving family

In Hong Kong, both older and younger children with moderate to major special needs are waiting for families through international adoption. Children receive exceptional care in nurturing foster families or group homes while they wait, and each child has a social work case manager who follows their progress and provides support. Please note that only families who live in one of the 19 states listed below are currently eligible for our Hong Kong program.

Map of states where Hong Kong adoption can take place through Holt International

The Hong Kong adoption program is available to families in 19 U.S. states

Holt has branch offices in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin, and partners with coordinating agencies in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Texas.

Families should identify a specific child on the Hong Kong waiting child photolisting as the first step in this program. From there, Holt’s U.S. staff will work closely with you to ensure you feel informed and prepared throughout the adoption process.

Children in Hong Kong Who Need Families

The Hong Kong program seeks families for both boys and girls, ages 1-15.
Children have moderate to major medical or developmental special needs.
Common special needs include various syndromes, hearing issues and learning delays, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, autism and birth parent mental health or substance abuse history. Learn more about Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption.
Medical records and developmental information is very thorough and usually includes birth parent information.
Children stay in nurturing foster families or group homes while they wait and have access to excellent medical care and early intervention services.
As healthy children and those with minor conditions are adopted by families in Hong Kong, children who fit this profile are not in need of families via international adoption.

Meet the children waiting for a family

To preserve children’s confidentiality, you will be asked to log in or sign up before you access the waiting child photolisting.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from Hong Kong

Parent’s Age

Both parents must be at least 25 years of age at the time of dossier submission.
The maximum age is 55, but exceptions are possible.

Length of Marriage

Couples must be married at least three years at the time of dossier submission. If a couple has a history of multiple divorces, the minimum length for the current marriage is five years.

Divorce

No more than two divorces per spouse.

Children in Family

The youngest child in the family must be at least 1 year old at time of application.
There is no limit on the number of children already in the home, but larger families will be carefully assessed.
Out-of-birth-order placements will be carefully assessed, especially when the eldest or only child already in the home will be displaced.

Single Applicant

Single women and men with sufficient childcare ability, parenting experience and strong support systems may apply.
Single applicants must be at least 25 years old at the time of dossier submission.
Single applicants with children already in the home will be carefully assessed to determine their ability to parent a child with significant special needs.

Travel

At least one parent is required to travel to Hong Kong, although travel by both parents is strongly encouraged.
The average trip length is 5-7 days.
The child’s social worker will usually be the family’s escort to help ease the child’s transition.
Solo spouse travelers and single applicant travelers are required to have a travel companion.

How Long It Takes

The process will likely average 12-24 months from application to travel.
Time frames are subject to change and we will keep you informed on a monthly basis as you make your way through the adoption process.

Waiting Child Program

All children eligible for adoption from Hong Kong are waiting children.
To learn about the children who are waiting for families, visit our waiting child photolisting and log in or sign up to view their profiles.

Additional Information

Applicants must be in good to excellent physical and mental health.
Medical letters and psychological evaluations will be required for any identified conditions.
Applicants must show financial stability, and sufficient income and net worth to adequately provide for another child.
Fees for Hong Kong are among the lowest of any program.
The dossier for Hong Kong is only a few documents and these only need to be notarized (not certified or authenticated).
Currently we are only able to accept families living in these 19 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Please contact the Holt Hong Kong team or your Holt social worker for more information.

Fees for Hong Kong Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download hong kong fees pdf

Application

Due with completed application. This is a non-refundable fee.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Application Fee	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$350

Adoption Fee 1

Due when Holt approves your application.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 1	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$5,065

Homestudy Assessment (Holt branch office states only)

Due before your first homestudy visit. Find out if your state has a Holt branch office.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Holt	Homestudy	$2,500 – $2,900
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Holt	Homestudy	$750
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Homestudy Assessment/Post Adoption Reporting Fees (non-Holt branch office states)

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Service Provider	Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Service Provider	Homestudy	$250 – $1,000
Post Placement Reporting Fees	Service Provider	Post Placement/Adoption	$1,500 – $2,000
Travel for Home Visits	Service Provider	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Adoption Fee 2

Due when Holt approves your homestudy.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 2	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$9,500

Adoption Fee 3 & Post Placement Reporting Fees

Due when you accept the assignment of a child. In the case of siblings, Agency Fee 3 is increased by $3,815 per child.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 3	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$3,000
Post Placement Reporting Fees (if Holt provides)	Holt	Post Placement/Adoption Reports	$2,500
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Additional Fees to Anticipate

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
USCIS	USCIS	Third Party	$860 – $1,330
Adoption Education Classes	Varies	Third Party	$150 – $500
Psychological Exam	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $2,500
Dossier Preparation	Varies	Third Party	$100 – $1,000
Pre-Adoption Medical Review of Child Material	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $1,000
Visa and Medical (paid in-Hong Kong)	Provider	Third Party	$750
Airfare, Lodging, Meals & Transportation	Provider	Mileage/Travel	$4,000 – $7,000
Adoption re-finalization	Provider	Third Party	$25 – $1,500
Certificate of Citizenship	US Dept. of Homeland Security	Third Party	$1,170

Summary of Estimated Fees

Description	Amount
Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
U.S. Expenses	$17,915
Foreign Country Program Expenses	$0
Care of the Child	$0
Translation and Documents Expenses	$0
Contributions	$0
Post Placement Reporting Fees	$2,000 – $2,500
Third Party Fees	$3,555 – $9,750
Travel Costs and Accommodations	$4,000 – $7,000
TOTAL	$28,970 – $42,165

Fee Refunds

Agency Fees are non-refundable.
Post Placement Reporting Fees are refundable if not required

Any fee refund will be processed within 60 days.

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

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Hong Kong Adoption FAQs

Can singles apply?

Are all of the children eligible for adoption on Holt’s waiting child photolisting?

Is it true that program fees for Hong Kong are among the lowest available?

What does “special needs” mean?

How long does it take to adopt from Hong Kong?

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

Help Protect International Adoption for Children

Your gift today will help a child be adopted, care for them while they wait, and even ensure that they receive critical post-adoption help for life!

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Start Your Journey in Adoption

Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

Request Free Adoption Information

Click below to complete our inquiry form or email us at [email protected] to connect with one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Info Meetings

Check out our free, virtual adoption information meetings open to families in all 50 states!

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Apply Online

Ready to start your adoption journey? The first step is to create a Holt portal account, then submit an application. Click below to log in or create a new portal account. If you’re already in touch with Holt or have worked with Holt previously and do not have a portal login, email [email protected] to access your account!

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