Sponsoring Parents: Can Lawful Permanent Residents Do It?

Sponsoring a parent for a Green Card is a challenging and lengthy process. However, it grants the sponsored parent the right to live and work in the USA as a permanent resident. To be eligible for a Green Card as a parent of a U.S. citizen, the sponsoring individual must be at least 21 years old and a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization. The U.S. citizen child must also prove a genuine parent-child relationship with the applicant, supported by appropriate documentation.

Sponsoring parents for a Green Card

To be eligible for a Green Card as a parent of a US citizen, the sponsoring individual must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. The US citizen child must be a lawful permanent resident or a US citizen by birth or naturalization. Additionally, the sponsoring child must have a genuine parent-child relationship with the applicant, supported by appropriate documentation.

Green Card holders can sponsor their parents to come to the USA, but they must ensure that they and their parents fit the basic requirements. They must be over 18 years old with a principal residence in the USA, and their parent must be one of their immediate relatives.

To petition for your parents to live in the United States as Green Card holders, you must fill out Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS to establish the qualifying relationship with their parent. The processing time for a Green Card for parents of US citizens is an average of 13 months, as of March 2025. The application costs $625 for online filing and $675 for paper filing.

It is important to consult with an immigration attorney to navigate the family-based immigration process effectively, understand the requirements, and ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria. Additionally, US immigration laws and policies can change, so it is essential to refer to the most up-to-date information provided by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Eligibility criteria for Green Card sponsorship

To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, you must be a US citizen and be at least 21 years old. Green Card holders cannot petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.

If you are a US citizen, there is no limit to the number of relatives you can bring to the USA by sponsoring them through your Green Card. However, they must be immediate family members, meaning the most distant relatives you can bring are first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. This also applies to adoptive parents, but additional requirements must be met, such as presenting a copy of the adoption certificate confirming adoption before the child's 16th birthday.

If you are sponsoring a spouse, you must meet the minimum annual income requirement to prove financial stability. The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a Green Card is $25,550. This assumes that the sponsor is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative. If the sponsor does not meet the minimum annual income requirement, they can include income from other adult household members, such as siblings, parents, and children. However, the other household members must be willing to make this income available to support the sponsored relative, and they will need to complete a special form called the I-864A. If the sponsor's household still does not meet the minimum income requirement, they can ask for help from a secondary co-sponsor or "joint sponsor", who is willing to accept full financial responsibility for the sponsored relative.

To sponsor a parent, you must first apply for a family-based immigrant visa. There are two categories of this type of visa: visas for close relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, or parents; and visas for other relatives of a US citizen, such as eligible children or siblings.

Sponsoring parents through family-based immigration

To begin the process, the sponsoring child must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish a qualifying relationship with their parent. This form must be accompanied by proof of a legal name change if relevant, and documentation supporting the parent-child relationship. The processing time for a Green Card for parents of US citizens is, on average, 13 months, with an application cost of $625 for online filing and $675 for paper filing.

If the parent is outside the United States and the petition is approved, the parent will be notified to go to their local US consulate to complete the visa processing. If the parent is in the United States, they may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the same time as their child files Form I-130. During the pending case, the parent can apply for employment and travel authorization by using Form I-765 and Form I-131, respectively.

It is important to note that there is no limit to the number of relatives a Green Card holder can bring to the USA, but they must be immediate family members. This means that the most distant relatives that can be sponsored are first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Adoptive parents can also be sponsored, but additional requirements, such as providing an adoption certificate, apply.

The process of sponsoring parents

Sponsoring parents for a Green Card is a challenging and lengthy process. However, it gives parents the right to live and work in the USA as permanent residents. They may even be naturalized as US citizens if they remain in the country long enough.

To begin the process, the sponsor must be a current US citizen or Green Card holder, be over 18 years old, and have a principal residence in the USA. The sponsored parent must be an immediate relative of the sponsor. If the sponsor's parent has minor children, they cannot be sponsored on the same petition. Additionally, if there has been a legal name change for either party, proof of the name change must be provided.

The first step in the immigration process is submitting Form I-130. If the sponsor's parent is outside the United States, they will be notified to go to the local US consulate to complete the visa processing once the Form I-130 petition is approved. If the parent is in the United States, they may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, simultaneously with Form I-130. They can also apply for employment and travel authorization using Form I-765 and Form I-131, respectively.

Many people seek assistance from immigration attorneys and advisors to improve their chances of success. These professionals can help with compiling documentation, filling out forms, and preparing for visa interviews.

Benefits of obtaining a Green Card for parents

Obtaining a Green Card for parents has several benefits for both the sponsoring child and the parents themselves. Firstly, it allows for family reunification, which brings immeasurable emotional benefits, strengthens relationships, and enables shared experiences and presence at important life events.

Secondly, Green Card holders gain access to a wide range of social services and benefits, including healthcare, education, and social security. This ensures that the parents can enjoy similar support systems as U.S. citizens, promoting their overall well-being and peace of mind. They can also own property, open bank accounts, and make investments in the United States, helping them establish financial stability and plan for the future.

Additionally, Green Card holders can travel internationally without compromising their residency status. They have the freedom to visit family, travel to new places, and experience different cultures while retaining the right to return to their home in the U.S. Obtaining a Green Card can also be the first step towards eventual U.S. citizenship, as after meeting the required residency period and other criteria, they may be able to apply for naturalization.

The process of sponsoring parents for a Green Card is challenging and lengthy, and it is important to ensure that both the sponsoring child and the parents meet the basic requirements. The sponsoring child must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old, and the parent must be an immediate relative. However, with perseverance and, in some cases, assistance from immigration attorneys and advisors, the immense rewards of success make the effort worthwhile.

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