Parent Green Card (IR-5 Visa), Explained
Everything you need to know about sponsoring a parent for a green card (IR-5 visa), including eligibility, steps, and costs
Understanding the Parent Green Card (IR-5 Visa)
If you are a U.S. citizen with a parent living abroad, you may be eligible to sponsor them for a parent green card (officially known as an IR-5 visa). This pathway allows parents of U.S. citizens to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in the United States. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of applying for a parent green card, including eligibility requirements, costs, documents, and timelines.
Parent Green Card (IR-5 Visa) Overview
The parent green card allows a parent to permanently live and work in the United States. Unlike other family-based green cards, there are no annual limits on the number of IR-5 visas issued each year, meaning parents can usually apply without long wait times.
You must be:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 21 years old
- Financially able to support your parent
Who Is Eligible for a Parent Green Card?
To sponsor a parent for a green card (IR-5 visa), you must meet the following requirements:
- You are a U.S. citizen (not a green card holder)
- You are at least 21 years old
- You live in the United States and have a U.S. address
- You can provide proof of your relationship, typically with a birth certificate
- You have sufficient income to support your parent (per the Affidavit of Support requirements)
How to Apply for a Parent Green Card (IR-5 Visa)
Step 1: File Form I-130 to Establish the Parent-Child Relationship
The process begins with the U.S. citizen sponsor filing Form I-130 (“Petition for Alien Relative”) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form proves the parent-child relationship.
Important:
If the parent lives outside the U.S., they will go through consular processing.
If the parent is already in the U.S., they may be able to use adjustment of status to apply for a green card without leaving the country.
Step 2: Apply for the Parent Green Card
If the parent is outside the U.S.:
- After USCIS approves Form I-130, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- The parent will submit Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) online.
- Supporting documents, including proof of relationship and financial documents, must also be submitted.
- The parent will attend an interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.
If the parent is already in the U.S.:
- After USCIS approves Form I-130, the parent will file Form I-485 (“Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status”).
- The parent must attend a biometrics appointment and may be required to attend an interview.
Step 3: Attend the Green Card Interview
During the interview, the officer will:
- Review the documents
- Ask questions to verify the parent-child relationship
For consular processing: the parent must bring their appointment letter, passport, civil documents, and two passport-style photos.
For adjustment of status: the parent will attend an interview at a local USCIS office.
If the interview is successful, the parent will be approved for a green card.
Once the parent arrives in the U.S. (for consular cases) or upon approval of Form I-485 (for adjustment cases), USCIS will mail the physical green card to the parent’s U.S. address.
Supporting Documents for a Parent Green Card Application
The exact documents required depend on the specific situation:
If sponsoring your mother:
- Your birth certificate with your name and your mother’s name
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization)
If sponsoring your father:
- Your birth certificate with both parents’ names
- Your parents’ marriage certificate
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
If you were born out of wedlock and sponsoring your father:
- Proof of a relationship (financial or emotional bond) before your 21st birthday, depending on legitimation
If sponsoring a stepparent:
- Your birth certificate
- Your natural parent’s marriage certificate to your stepparent (before your 18th birthday)
- Proof that previous marriages were legally ended (if applicable)
If sponsoring an adoptive parent:
- Your adoption certificate (adoption finalized before your 16th birthday)
- Proof of living with the adoptive parent
Parent Green Card Processing Time
Processing times for parent green cards typically range from 9.5–14.3 months, depending on whether the parent is abroad or already in the U.S. Processing can sometimes move faster because parent green cards are not subject to annual visa caps.
Parent Green Card Costs
Here is a general breakdown of the costs:
- Form I-130 filing fee: $675
- Form DS-260 fee (for consular processing): $325
- USCIS Immigrant Fee (after visa approval): $235
- Form I-485 filing fee (if adjusting status in the U.S.): $1,440
Other costs may include medical exam fees, translations, and obtaining civil documents.
FAQs About the Parent Green Card (IR-5 Visa)
After five years of having a green card, the sponsoring child’s parent will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
No. The sponsoring child needs to wait until after their 21st birthday to sponsor any parent.
No. An important thing to note is that if the sponsor’s parents have minor children abroad, they will not be able to be sponsored on the same petition. Instead, they will have to be petitioned for separately by the sponsor, as a U.S. citizen, or by the parents when they become green card holders.
Yes. Under U.S. immigration law, parents of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives. This means they are eligible for a green card without being subject to annual visa limits or long waiting periods.
No. Parent green cards are considered “immediate relative” visas and are not subject to annual caps.
Yes, once the green card is issued, parents can live and work permanently in the United States.