Sponsoring a Green Card for Parents

By sponsoring your parents for green cards, you can reunite your family and provide the people who raised you with the opportunity to live in the United States permanently.

As a U.S. citizen, you're eligible to bring your parents to live in the United States. Still, immigration laws and procedures don’t make it easy. Let’s break it down step-by-step to help you get through the green card process smoothly.

What Is a Green Card for Parents?

U.S. citizens can petition for their noncitizen parents to receive green cards. If this petition is successful, it will grant them lawful permanent residence in the United States. They will be able to live, work, and travel freely throughout the country without needing special permits.

Unlike some other immigration categories, there are no annual limits for immediate relatives like parents. Therefore, the process can be quicker than for some other relatives, such as siblings.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring a Green Card for Parents

To sponsor your parents, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. You can also sponsor a stepparent as long as the marriage occurred before you turned 18. Adoptive parents qualify if the adoption took place before you turned 16.

Your parents, as the beneficiaries, must meet certain criteria, too. They must either be physically present in the U.S. or undergo consular processing in their home country if abroad.

The Green Card Application Process in 3 Steps

Sponsoring your parents for a green card involves three important steps that must be completed in the correct order.

1. File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

The process begins when you submit Form I-130 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this immigrant visa petition, you’ll include extensive information about yourself and your parents.

You’ll also need to submit supporting documents, such as your birth certificate, your adoption decree, or your parents’ marriage certificate. You can fill out Form I-130 online on the USCIS website or use the printable PDF version.

2. Wait for USCIS to Approve the Petition

After you file Form I-130, USCIS will issue a receipt notice. You might have to wait several months for the petition to be processed. Once it is approved, the petition will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.

3. Go Through Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing

Your parents’ location will determine whether they file for an adjustment of status within the U.S. or undergo consular processing abroad.

Parents who are already legally in the U.S. can apply for a green card without leaving the country. They will file Form I-485 for adjustment of status alongside the initial visa petition or after its approval.

If your parents are abroad, they will attend an interview at the U.S. consulate in their home country once the NVC processes the case.

Key Documents Required to Sponsor Parents for a Green Card

You will need supporting documents to prove your eligibility and your relationship with your parents. Make sure to gather the following:

• Birth certificate: Shows the parent-child relationship.
• Marriage certificate: For stepparents or if the birth parents are married.
• Adoption certificate: For adoptive parents.
• Previous marriage certificates or divorce decrees: If applicable.
• Death certificates: If the other biological parent has passed.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: Such as your naturalization certificate or U.S. passport.

If you are petitioning for your father — but your parents were not married when you were born — there is one additional step. The USCIS may ask for evidence that you and your father shared an emotional and financial bond while you were young.

Filing Fees and Costs Involved

You’ll need to pay filing fees to submit Form I-130 and, if applicable, Form I-485 for adjustment of status. These fees are updated frequently. As of October 2024, the I-130 fee is $625 for online filing and $675 for paper filing. Additional fees apply for adjustment of status or consular processing.

Affidavit of Support for Green Card Petitions for Parents

Part of sponsoring green cards for your parents involves showing you have the financial ability to support them. You’ll need to complete Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and prove that you meet the income requirements, which are generally 125% of the federal poverty level.

By completing this form, you accept financial responsibility for your parents. If they receive means-tested public benefits, such as food stamps, you could be required to repay the government. There is no charge to file Form I-864.

The Green Card Interview

If your parents are living abroad, they’ll attend an interview at the U.S. consulate in their home country. During the interview, consular officers may ask about the parent-child relationship, your parents’ previous marriages, and your family’s financial situation.

Make sure that your parents are prepared with the required documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees.

Processing Time for Parent Green Card Applications

The processing time for sponsoring a parent’s green card depends on several factors, including whether your parents are adjusting their status in the U.S. or going through consular processing. It can take anywhere from 10 months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case and current backlogs at USCIS or NVC.

Adjustment of Status for Parents Already in the U.S.

A parent who is already in the United States on a valid visa should file for adjustment of status. After you file Form I-130 and receive a receipt notice, they can submit Form I-485 to USCIS for this adjustment. During the waiting period, they may also apply for employment authorization.

Consular Processing for Parents Living Abroad

For parents who live abroad, the process involves filing Form DS-260 with the NVC, followed by a consular interview. Consular processing typically takes longer, but it's an effective route for parents who do not already have valid U.S. visas.

Can You Sponsor Adoptive or Stepparents?

Yes, you can sponsor an adoptive or stepparent to become a lawful permanent resident.

If you're sponsoring a stepparent, the marriage between your biological parent and stepparent must have occurred before your 18th birthday.

For adoptive parents, the adoption must have been finalized before you turned 16, and you need to provide an adoption certificate showing the legal relationship.

What Happens If the Petition Is Denied?

In some cases, USCIS may deny a petition due to incomplete documentation, failure to prove sufficient income or uncertainty about the parent-child relationship. If this happens, you may file an appeal or reapply with additional evidence. It may be helpful to consult an immigration attorney if your petition is denied.