Green card for parents of U.S. citizens

As a U.S. citizen over 21, you can sponsor your foreign-born parents and let them live in the U.S. as permanent residents. It is easier to get a green card for parents of U.S. citizens than for most other categories, but you still have to pay attention to the paperwork needed. We will explain what your parents must do to apply, the stages of the process, expected timeframes and advice in this guide for 2025.

Who Can Apply?

To sponsor your parents for a green card, you must meet these key criteria:

• Only applicants who are U.S. citizens are eligible (the green card is not sufficient).

• It is necessary to be at least 21 years of age.

• You should be ready to support your parents financially by signing an Affidavit of Support (I-864).

• Parents can only adjust their status in the U.S. if they are already living in the country legally and are eligible or they need to apply from outside the U.S.

Documents You’ll Need

To start the process, you’ll need:

A copy of your birth certificate showing your relationship to your parent
Proof of your U.S. citizenship (passport, naturalization certificate, or birth certificate)
Your parent’s valid passport and identity documents
Evidence of legal entry into the U.S. (if applicable)
Proof of financial support (such as your tax returns and employment letter)

Step-by-Step Process to Sponsor Your Parents

The process of sponsoring your parents for a green card in 2025 is described below.

1. The first step is submitting a File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).

Give USCIS Form I-130 and the proof you have about your relationship.

2. USCIS Gives Approval and Sends the Case to a Field Office

When Form I-130 is approved and your parent is living outside the U.S., your case will go to the National Visa Center (NVC) next.

3. You might also use the Consular Processing process or change your status in the United States.

Your parent must apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country if they don’t yet live in the U.S. If they are already living in the US, they might be qualified to submit Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and apply for their green card locally.

4. Go to the green card and Biometrics interview scheduled by the USCIS.

It is possible that your parent will need to go to a biometrics appointment and a green card interview at the US consulate or USCIS office.

5. Get your permanent resident status.

Once everything is approved, your parent will be sent a green card good for 10 years. It will take 5 years as a permanent resident for them to be eligible for U.S. citizenship.

Processing Time in 2025

On average, the green card process for parents of U.S. citizens in 2025 takes: