Family-based Immigration

Petition for Parents

Family-based Immigration Visa

Petition for Parents

If you’re a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older, you can also sponsor your parents for a family-based green card. Unfortunately, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to petition for their parents.

Step-by-step guide to the family-based immigration process for parents:

1. File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): You must fill out form I-130 for each parent’s family-based petition in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form officially establishes your parent-child relationship.

2. Provide Supporting Documentation:

Along with Form I-130, you must submit:

Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.
The parent’s birth certificate.
Evidence of the parent-child relationship:

For biological parents: Your birth certificate showing both parents’ names.

For step-parents: The marriage certificate of the petitioner’s biological parents and step-parents showing that the marriage occurred before the petitioner turned 18.

For adoptive parents: An adoption certificate proving the adoption occurred before you turned 16.

3. Approval and Next Steps: Once USCIS approves the family petition immigration, you can proceed with the following steps:

If your parents are outside the U.S., they will apply for family-based immigrant visas through the U.S. embassy or consulate.
If your parents are already in the U.S., they can file Form I-485 to adjust their status as lawful permanent residents.

4. Medical Examination and Interview: Your parents must undergo a medical examination with an expert physician. During the interview process, the officer will review the documents and ask questions to verify the legitimacy of the marriage.

5. Green Card Issuance: If all steps are completed successfully, your parents will receive an immigrant visa that allows them to live in the U.S. as permanent residents or a family-based green card if they’re already in the U.S.

It’s crucial to provide accurate information to avoid unnecessary delays.