July 22, 2025
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may be able to help your parents move to the United States permanently by sponsoring them for a green card. A green card gives them lawful permanent resident status, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. for as long as they like.
Sponsoring your parents may sound complicated, but the family immigration process can be manageable with the right guidance.
A parent green card allows a foreign-born mother or father of a U.S. citizen to live in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. This means your parent can live, work, and travel freely in the U.S. without worrying about renewing a visa.
This green card falls under the Immediate Relative (IR) category, specifically the IR5 visa. One major benefit of this category is that there is no annual cap, so your parent doesn’t have to wait for a visa number to become available once the petition is approved.
To sponsor a parent for a green card, the sponsor must:
Each parent needs a separate petition. So, if you’re sponsoring both your mother and father, you’ll file two sets of forms and pay two sets of fees.
No, English language skills are not required to get a green card through a U.S. citizen child. However, if your parents later choose to apply for U.S. citizenship, they may need to meet English and civics requirements unless they qualify for an exemption based on age and length of residency.
The first step is filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form tells U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that you have a qualifying relationship with your parent. You must submit a separate Form I-130 for each parent.
Along with the form, you’ll need to provide documents to prove your relationship. This typically includes:
If you’re sponsoring a step-parent or adoptive parent, there are special rules and documents required.
After you submit your I-130 petition, USCIS will review your case. Since parents are considered “immediate relatives,” they don’t have to wait for a visa number—this usually speeds things up. However, you still may need to wait several months for approval.
How your parent gets their green card depends on where they live.
Each process has its own steps and timeline, but both lead to a green card once approved.
As a sponsor, you must show that you can financially support your parent. You’ll do this by submitting Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. This form proves you meet the income requirement (usually 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size).
If your income is too low, you may be able to include assets or find a joint sponsor who meets the requirements.
Possibly, yes. If your parent is already in the U.S. and entered lawfully (such as on a tourist visa), they may be eligible to apply for a green card without leaving the country by filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status). However, this must be done carefully to avoid issues with intent, especially if your parent recently entered the U.S. A consultation with an immigration lawyer is strongly recommended in this situation.
Sponsoring your parents involves several fees. These include:
It’s a good idea to budget for all possible costs upfront so you’re not caught off guard.
The total time to get a green card depends on your situation and whether your parent is inside or outside the U.S. Here’s a general idea:
Since there’s no cap on green cards for parents of U.S. citizens, you don’t have to wait for a visa to become available. That makes the process faster than many other family-based petitions.
Even though sponsoring a parent is often straightforward, there can be issues. You might have trouble finding the right documents, meeting the income requirement, or figuring out whether your parent qualifies. Things can get more complicated with step-parents, adopted parents, or parents who entered the U.S. without permission.
An experienced immigration lawyer can guide you through these situations, helping avoid mistakes that could delay or harm your case. A lawyer can also make sure your forms are complete and accurate the first time.
Sponsoring your parents for a green card is a powerful way to bring your family together in the U.S. While the process takes time, the steps are clear, and help is available if you need it.
If you are ready to sponsor your parents, our office can help you through every step. Contact us or call 314-416-8000 to schedule a consultation and start the process with confidence.
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