Parent Sponsorship Visa USA: Complete Guide
U.S. citizens 21+ can sponsor their parents for a green card — no visa waitlist, but the process takes 1–3 years. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor your parents for a green card through a family-based immigrant visa. Parents of U.S. citizens are classified as immediate relatives, which means there is no annual cap on visas and the process is generally faster than for other family categories.
Who Can Sponsor Parents for Immigration to the USA?
Only U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older can file a parent sponsorship visa petition. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) cannot sponsor their parents for immigration. If you recently became a citizen through naturalization, you may begin the process immediately after receiving your certificate of citizenship.
Family Immigration Checklist — Free
Petitions, marriage, children: deadlines and documents
Key Steps to Sponsor Your Parents
- Step 1 – File Form I-130: Submit a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must file a separate petition for each parent.
- Step 2 – Pay the filing fee: As of 2024, the I-130 filing fee is $675. Always verify the current fee on the official USCIS website before submitting.
- Step 3 – Wait for USCIS approval: Processing times vary but can range from several months to over a year depending on the service center and workload.
- Step 4 – National Visa Center (NVC) processing: Once approved, the case is transferred to the NVC, which will collect additional documents and fees before scheduling a consular interview.
- Step 5 – Consular interview: Your parents attend an immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
- Step 6 – Medical examination: Your parents must complete a medical exam by an approved physician (civil surgeon) before the interview.
- Step 7 – Entry to the USA: After visa approval, your parents can travel to the United States and receive their green card by mail within a few weeks.
Financial Requirements: Affidavit of Support
As a sponsor, you must prove that you can financially support your parents. You are required to file Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), showing that your household income is at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size. If your income is insufficient, you may use a joint sponsor who also meets the income requirements.
How Long Does the Parent Sponsorship Process Take?
Since parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, there is no waiting list for visa numbers. However, total processing time — including USCIS adjudication, NVC processing, and the consular interview — typically ranges from 12 to 36 months. Delays can occur due to document issues, background checks, or high application volumes. Monitoring your case status regularly on the USCIS and NVC portals is strongly recommended.
Get Professional Help from an Immigration Attorney
Immigration law is complex and mistakes on petitions or supporting documents can cause significant delays or denials. Consulting a qualified immigration attorney before you begin can save you time and stress. Ilya Fishkin, immigration attorney specializes in family-based immigration and can guide you through every stage of the parent sponsorship visa USA process — from filing Form I-130 to preparing for the consular interview.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Family Petition I-130”.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder sponsor parents for immigration to the USA?
No. Only U.S. citizens who are 21 or older can sponsor their parents for a green card. Lawful permanent residents do not have this option under current immigration law.
How much does it cost to sponsor parents for a USA visa?
The main filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 per parent as of 2024. Additional costs include NVC fees, the immigrant visa application fee (around $325 per person), the medical exam, and translation or legal fees. Total costs can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
Can my parents work in the USA while their green card application is pending?
Your parents cannot legally work in the USA solely based on a pending immigrant visa petition. However, once they enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa and receive their green card, they are authorized to work without any restrictions.
What happens if my parents are already in the USA unlawfully?
If your parents are in the USA without legal status, they may be eligible to adjust their status to permanent resident without leaving, depending on how they entered the country. This situation is legally complex and it is strongly recommended to consult an experienced immigration attorney such as Ilya Fishkin before taking any action.