Who this is for
- U.S. citizens age 21 or older; green card holders cannot petition for their parents.
- Biological mothers, and biological fathers, with extra proof sometimes needed if the child was born to unmarried parents.
- Stepparents, if the marriage creating the step-relationship happened before the petitioner turned 18.
- Adoptive parents, generally if the adoption took place before the petitioner turned 16 and other requirements are met.
- Parents living abroad (consular processing) or in the U.S. who may be eligible to adjust status.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative | Filed by the U.S. citizen son or daughter, with a separate petition for each parent. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Used by a parent who is in the U.S. and eligible to apply for the green card there. |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | The petitioner's binding promise to financially support the parent, with a joint sponsor if needed. |
| DS-260 | Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | Completed by a parent applying abroad through the National Visa Center. |
| I-693 | Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Medical exam by a civil surgeon for parents adjusting status in the U.S. |
Step by step
- File an I-130 for each parentThe U.S. citizen files one Form I-130 per parent, with proof of citizenship and of the parent-child relationship. Parents in the U.S. may be able to file the I-485 at the same time.
- Wait for the petition decisionUSCIS reviews the relationship evidence and may ask for more documents, such as DNA testing in some cases.
- Abroad: complete National Visa Center stepsAfter approval, the parent pays fees, submits the DS-260, civil documents and the affidavit of support through the National Visa Center.
- Medical exam and biometricsThe parent completes an immigration medical exam and gives fingerprints and photos.
- InterviewThe parent may be interviewed at a USCIS office or a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Receive the green cardIf approved, the parent becomes a permanent resident. Parents who receive an immigrant visa abroad get the card by mail after entering the U.S.
Documents usually requested
- Petitioner's U.S. birth certificate, passport or naturalization certificate
- Petitioner's birth certificate showing the parent's name
- Parents' marriage certificate, often needed when a father petitions through a child born in wedlock
- Proof of legitimation or of a real father-child relationship, when the child was born to unmarried parents
- Marriage certificate creating a step-relationship, and proof prior marriages ended
- Adoption decree and proof of custody and residence, for adoptive parents
- Parent's passport and birth certificate
- Petitioner's tax returns and proof of income for the affidavit of support
- Police certificates from countries of residence (generally for consular processing)
How long it takes
Because parents are immediate relatives, there is usually no visa backlog wait, but timing still depends on USCIS and consulate workloads, document problems and requests for evidence. Check current estimates at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
Government filing fees
Each Form I-130 carries a USCIS filing fee, as do the I-485 and any I-765 or I-131; consular cases also pay State Department fees and a USCIS immigrant fee. Fees change, so check uscis.gov/g-1055 before filing.
Working and traveling while you wait
A parent with a pending I-485 can generally request a work permit (Form I-765) and advance parole (Form I-131). Traveling abroad without advance parole while the I-485 is pending may cause it to be treated as abandoned.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing before the U.S. citizen turns 21.
- Filing one petition for both parents instead of a separate I-130 for each.
- Missing proof of the father-child relationship when the parents were not married at the time of birth.
- Assuming the parents' other children (the petitioner's siblings) are included; they generally need their own petition.
- Not planning for the affidavit of support income requirement or a joint sponsor.
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can a green card holder sponsor their parents?
No, only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for parents. A permanent resident would generally need to become a citizen first.
Is there a waiting list for parents of U.S. citizens?
No, parents of adult U.S. citizens are immediate relatives and are not subject to the annual visa limits. Processing still takes time, which varies by office and consulate.
Can my parents' younger children come with them?
Not on the same petition. Immediate relative cases do not include family members, so your siblings would generally need a separate petition, for example one you file as a sibling or one your parent files after getting a green card.
Can my parents get a green card if they are visiting on a tourist visa?
Sometimes, but it depends on their intent when they entered and their history. Entering as a visitor with a plan to stay permanently can create problems, and USCIS has recently emphasized discretion in these cases, so an attorney should review the facts.
Do I need to earn a certain income to sponsor my parents?
Generally yes, the petitioner must meet an income level on the affidavit of support, based on household size and federal poverty guidelines. If income is too low, assets or a joint sponsor may help.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.