Kara Sears
If you're a US citizen looking to sponsor your parents-in-law to live with you in the USA, there are a few steps you need to take. First, you must be at least 21 years old to be eligible to sponsor your parents for a Green Card. You will then need to submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130, also known as a Petition for Alien Relative, for each person you are sponsoring. You will also need to provide legal proof of your relationship with your parents-in-law, such as a birth certificate, and proof of your US citizenship, such as a passport. Additionally, you will need to demonstrate financial capability by fulfilling income criteria set by the federal poverty levels and providing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). Once your Form I-130 petition is approved, your parents-in-law will be notified to complete the visa process at their local US consulate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can sponsor? | A US citizen who is 21 or above. |
| Who can be sponsored? | Parents (mother or father) |
| Documents required | Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption decree, etc.), proof of financial support, etc. |
| Sponsoring other relatives | Cannot be done in the same application. |
| Visa type | Family-based immigrant visa (immediate relative or family preference). |
| Visa cost | Adjustment of status: $1760; consular processing: $1200. |
| Visa processing time | Not specified, but it is a stringent process. |
| Green card cost | Depends on whether the applicant is in the US or not. |
| Green card waiting period | 5 years |
| Citizenship eligibility | After 5 years of holding a green card. |
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What You'll Learn
Sponsoring parents for a Green Card
Approval of Form I-130 is not a grant of permanent residence status but is simply the recognition of a qualifying relationship. If the sponsored parent is outside the US, they will be notified to go to the local US consulate to complete the visa process. If the sponsored parent is in the US, they may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, simultaneously with Form I-130.
Sponsored parents do not need to apply for employment authorisation once they are admitted as immigrants with their immigrant visas. They will receive a passport stamp upon arrival in the US, which will serve as proof of their ability to work until they receive their Green Cards. If the sponsored parents are in the US and have applied to adjust to permanent resident status, they can apply for employment and travel authorisation using Form I-765 and Form I-131, respectively.
It is important to note that the sponsored parents' minor children abroad cannot be included in the same petition. Additionally, the sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income or assets to financially support the sponsored parents, with their income generally being at least 125% of the US poverty guidelines. If the sponsor cannot meet the income requirements, a third-party sponsor can be used.
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Eligibility criteria for sponsoring parents
To be eligible to sponsor your parents-in-law to the USA, you must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. Green Card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.
To sponsor your family member, you need to submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130. Each person you sponsor requires a separate Form I-130. You can submit the form online or by mail. The process for your relative to immigrate to the U.S. varies depending on whether your family member is already in the U.S. or abroad. If your family member is outside the U.S., you must learn the steps for consular processing.
As a petitioner, you must show financial responsibility by submitting Form I-864. Usually, your income must meet 125% of the federal poverty threshold. Sponsoring your parents-in-law will also require several other expenses, including visa fees, legal fees, and medical exam fees.
If your parents-in-law have minor children abroad, those children (your spouse's siblings) cannot be sponsored on the same petition. After your parent-in-law becomes a permanent resident, they may file a new petition for any qualifying relative.
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Documents required for sponsoring parents
To sponsor your parents-in-law to immigrate to the USA, you must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. Green Card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.
The first step in the immigration visa process is to submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130. Each person you sponsor needs a separate Form I-130. You can submit the form online or by mail.
If your parents-in-law are outside the United States, they will need to complete visa processing at their local US consulate. They will need to bring several documents to the visa interview, including:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the US and has at least one blank page.
- A recent colour photograph that meets US visa requirements.
- Evidence of strong ties to their home country, including proof of employment, property ownership, financial assets, or family connections.
If your parents-in-law are already 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 you file Form I-130. They can also apply for employment and travel authorization while their case is pending, using Form I-765 and Form I-131, respectively.
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Cost of sponsoring parents
To sponsor your parents-in-law to come and live in the United States as permanent residents, you must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. Green Card holders cannot sponsor their parents to live permanently in the US.
To begin the process, you must submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130. This form can be submitted online or by mail, and you will need to submit a separate form for each person you are sponsoring. The USCIS will notify you if your petition is approved or denied. If your Form I-130 petition is approved and your parents-in-law are outside the US, they will be notified to go to their local US consulate to complete the visa process.
If your parents-in-law are already in the US, they may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the same time as you file Form I-130. They will also need to apply for employment and travel authorization using Form I-765 and Form I-131, respectively.
The cost of sponsoring your parents-in-law for a US visa includes the fees for the various forms that need to be submitted. The Form I-130 petition fee is $535, while the Form I-485 application fee is $1,225. The Form I-765 application fee is $410, and the Form I-131 application fee is $560. These fees must be paid for each person being sponsored, and they are subject to change, so it is important to check the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information.
In addition to the government fees, there may be other costs associated with the process, such as legal fees if you choose to hire an immigration lawyer to help with the process. There may also be costs for translating and notarizing documents, as well as potential travel costs for your parents-in-law to attend interviews or appointments as part of the visa process.
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Sponsoring other relatives along with parents
To sponsor your parents-in-law to immigrate to the United States, you must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. Green Card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the US.
The first step in the immigration visa process is to submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes the family relationship between you and your parents-in-law. Each person you sponsor requires a separate Form I-130. You can submit the form online or by mail.
If your parents-in-law are outside the US, your petition will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will forward your petition to the appropriate US consulate when a visa becomes available, and your relative will be notified about how to proceed. This process is referred to as "consular processing."
If you are sponsoring other relatives, such as siblings or adult children, along with your parents-in-law, they will need their own separate Form I-130. The process for your relatives to immigrate to the US will depend on whether they are already in the country or abroad. If they are in the US, they may need to learn about Adjustment of Status, while those outside the US will need to go through consular processing.
It is important to note that if your parents-in-law have minor children abroad, those children cannot be sponsored on the same petition as their parents. Once your parents-in-law become permanent residents, they may file a new petition for any qualifying relative.
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Frequently asked questions
You must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. You will need to submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130, as well as provide legal proof of your relationship with your parents-in-law. This can include birth certificates, marriage certificates, or adoption documents.
No, you cannot sponsor other relatives, such as siblings or grandparents, in the same application as your parents-in-law. They will need to be petitioned for separately.
The cost depends on whether your parents-in-law are currently living in the United States or not. If they are filing an adjustment of status, the cost is typically around $1760, while consular processing in their country of residence is likely to cost about $1200. There may also be additional costs for medical examinations and immigration attorney services.
In addition to the Form I-130 and proof of your relationship, you will need to provide an affidavit of support (Form I-864) and documentation proving assets or income that satisfy 125% of the poverty guideline. You may also need to include proof of any legal name changes for yourself or your parents-in-law.
