Green Cards for Parents of U.S. Citizens

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Only parents of U.S. citizens age 21 or older are eligible. Green card holders (permanent residents) cannot petition for their parents. 

Yes, but you must file a separate I-130 petition for each parent. For example, if you’re sponsoring both your mother and father, you’ll submit two petitions. 

This depends on whether you are petitioning for your mother, father, or stepparent. Common documents include your birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship, and marriage or divorce records, if applicable.

After USCIS approves the I-130, the next step depends on whether the parent is in the U.S. or abroad.

• If inside the U.S., the applicant may file Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, with USCIS to apply for a green card.
   
• If outside the U.S., the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then forwarded to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for immigrant visa processing with the Department of State (DOS).

Yes — if the parent is in the U.S., they may file the I-130 and I-485 at the same time, known as concurrent filing. Concurrent filing is normal for parents of US citizens who are adjusting status in the United States. 

No — unlike adjustment of status in the U.S., the immigrant visa application through DOS (via consular processing) cannot be filed until after the I-130 is approved. Once USCIS approves the I-130, the case is transferred to NVC to begin the immigrant visa process. 

Form I-864 is a legally binding financial contract in which the U.S. petitioner agrees to support the immigrant parent financially. This ensures the foreign national will not become dependent on public benefits after immigrating. 

The sponsor must submit proof of current income, federal tax returns (usually the most recent three years), W-2s or 1099s, and employment verification. If the petitioner doesn’t meet the income requirements, a joint sponsor may be needed. 

It depends on USCIS policy at the time of your application. In some cases, the interview is waived and the green card is approved without one.  

The mock interview is a practice session with our immigration attorney designed to prepare you and your parents for the USCIS interview. We review common questions, assess the strength of your evidence, and provide guidance on how to respond clearly and confidently. 

Yes, and in most cases, we recommend that an attorney accompany you to the USCIS interview. Having legal counsel present provides in-person support, helps resolve any unexpected issues on the spot, and ensures the process stays on track. 

Generally, U.S. embassies and consulates do not permit attorneys to attend immigrant visa interviews. Some consulates may allow the attorney to wait nearby or communicate with the consular section before or after the interview, but the actual interview is usually limited to the applicant only. 

Petitions for parents of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives, so there’s no wait for a visa number. Processing times vary depending on where your parent lives and how busy the government agencies are. Most cases take between 3-6 months for adjustment of status, and 10–18 months for consular processing. 

In some cases, parents who overstayed a visa may still be eligible to adjust status if they entered the U.S. legally. If your parent is undocumented or entered without inspection, their options may be limited, but we can review your case to determine possible solutions.