Just became a U.S. citizen and want to sponsor your mom or dad in another country for a green card? In order to keep families together, U.S. immigration law allows for U.S. citizens to sponsor their parents. Since parents of U.S. citizens qualify as immediate relatives, the processing time is faster than other categories.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- The U.S. citizen son or daughter is at least 21 years old and can financially sponsor the parent seeking a green card; and
- The green card seeker is also at least 21 years old and the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the U.S. citizen child.
Timing for filing a green card is important for every foreign national! Speak to an experienced immigration attorney before filing a green card application.
What’s the Process?
If you are a foreign national parent of a U.S. citizen adult child, you may apply for a green card while inside or outside the U.S.
If you are currently in the U.S. legally, you must file Form I-485, while your U.S. citizen adult child files Form I-130. Together these forms are filed concurrently with your supporting documents to USCIS. Once USCIS is ready to make a decision on adjudicating your case, you will be scheduled to appear at an interview at a local USCIS field office. If the USCIS officer approves your case you will receive a decision in the mail along with your green card.
If you are currently residing outside the U.S., your U.S. citizen adult child must file Form I-130 and supporting documents with USCIS. Once USCIS approves the I-130, the U.S. Department of State will contact you to apply for a visa. Once the application for a visa is completed, you will be scheduled for an appointment to appear at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for an interview. Once you are approved you will receive a visa and can enter the U.S. as a permanent resident. Following your entry into the U.S. you will receive your green card
