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How to Get a Green Card for Your Parents: Hire an IR-5 Visa Lawyer
Bring your parents home for good. If you’re a U.S. citizen over 21, we can help you get a green card for your mom or dad so they can live, work, and build their future here with you. No visa caps, no waiting lists—just a clear path forward when you work with experienced United States immigration attorneys who speak your language.
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What Is a Green Card for Parents?
A green card for parents, officially called an IR-5 visa, lets your mom or dad become a permanent resident of the United States. This isn’t a temporary visit. Your parent gets the legal right to live here permanently, work without restrictions, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship after five years.
The IR-5 visa falls under the “immediate relative” category. That status matters because there’s no annual cap on how many parent green cards USCIS can approve. Other family-based visas have strict yearly limits that create waiting periods of several years. Your parent doesn’t face those delays.
Once we file your petition and USCIS approves it, your parent can move forward right away. The process typically takes 8 to 14 months from start to finish.
Your parent’s green card lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. As a permanent resident, they can live anywhere in the United States, work for any employer, travel freely, sponsor their own spouse and unmarried children under 21, and apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of continuous residence.
We help families navigate this process every day. Most of our clients across the United States come from Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, and other Latin American countries where family unity drives every major decision. We understand that bringing your parents here isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about keeping your family whole.
Who Can Sponsor Their Parents for a Green Card?
Not everyone qualifies to sponsor their parents. U.S. immigration law sets specific requirements for both you as the sponsor and your parent as the applicant.
You must meet these requirements as the sponsor:
- You have to be a U.S. citizen, not just a green card holder. Lawful permanent residents cannot petition for their parents. You must be at least 21 years old. You need to prove the parent-child relationship with official documents like your birth certificate. For adopted parents, you’ll need adoption papers showing the adoption was finalized before you turned 16.
- You must meet income requirements of 125% of federal poverty guidelines. For 2024, that means a household of two needs at least $24,650 annually. The amount increases with each additional family member.
Your parent must meet these requirements:
They must be your biological parent or legal adoptive parent. Stepparents qualify only if they married your biological parent before you turned 18. They cannot have serious criminal convictions or immigration violations that would make them inadmissible. They must pass a medical examination by a USCIS-approved physician.
If you don’t meet the income requirement yourself, you have options. A joint sponsor can help you meet the threshold. You can also use assets like cash, stocks, or property, though USCIS values assets at only one-fifth of their total worth.
You can sponsor both parents separately. Each parent needs their own I-130 petition, fees, and supporting documents.
We help families figure out if they qualify before filing anything. Many of our clients worry they don’t make enough money or that old immigration issues will block their parent’s application. Often, solutions exist through joint sponsors, waiver applications, or updated documentation. Read our “Guide to Family Sponsorship” blog to get more information.
How to Get a Green Card for Your Parents: Step-by-Step
The parent green card process involves several stages, and the exact process depends on your parent’s location, immigration history, current status, and eligibility under current immigration procedures.
For Parents Living Outside the United States (Consular Processing)
Step 1: File Form I-130 with USCIS
We submit the Petition for Alien Relative along with proof of your U.S. citizenship, your parent’s birth certificate, and evidence of your relationship. USCIS reviews the petition, and processing times may vary depending on current application volumes and agency procedures.
Step 2: National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
After USCIS approval, the case transfers to the National Visa Center. Your parent completes Form DS-260 online and submits civil documents such as birth certificates, passport copies, and police certificates. We help families gather and organize the documentation required throughout the process.
Step 3: Medical Examination
Your parent schedules a medical examination with an approved physician in their home country. The exam generally includes vaccinations and health screenings required for immigration processing.
Step 4: Visa Interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Your parent attends an immigration interview where a consular officer reviews the application, supporting documentation, immigration history, and background information. We help clients prepare for common interview questions and documentation requirements before the appointment.
Step 5: Entry Into the United StatesIf approved, your parent receives an immigrant visa and may travel to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. After entry into the United States, the physical green card is typically mailed after permanent resident processing is completed.
For Parents Already Living in the United States (Adjustment of Status)
Some parents already living in the United States may qualify to apply for lawful permanent residency through Adjustment of Status depending on their immigration history, manner of entry, and current status. This process generally uses Form I-485 instead of consular processing. In some situations, eligible applicants may also apply for work authorization while the case is pending.
Not all applicants qualify for Adjustment of Status, and some families may still need to complete consular processing abroad depending on their individual circumstances and current immigration procedures. Our attorneys help families evaluate the most appropriate path forward before filing.
Because immigration procedures and eligibility requirements can change over time, many families choose to work with an immigration attorney to help avoid delays and prepare accurate documentation throughout the process.
How Long Does a Parent Green Card Take?
Parent green card processing times can vary depending on current USCIS procedures, application volumes, interview scheduling, and whether the process takes place inside or outside the United States. While some cases may move faster, others can take longer based on individual circumstances and documentation requirements.
Because the IR-5 parent visa category for parents of U.S. citizens is considered an immediate relative category, it is not subject to annual visa caps like many other family-based immigration categories. This often allows eligible parents to move through the immigration process more quickly once the petition is approved.
Several factors can affect processing times, including:
- Current USCIS workload and processing backlogs
- National Visa Center (NVC) review times
- U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview availability
- Background checks and security clearances
- The completeness and accuracy of submitted documentation
- Whether the parent qualifies for Adjustment of Status or requires Consular Processing
Incomplete applications, missing documentation, or Requests for Evidence (RFEs) can significantly delay a case. Providing organized and accurate information from the beginning may help reduce unnecessary delays during the review process.
Estimated processing timelines may include:
- I-130 petition review and approval
- National Visa Center processing
- Medical examinations and interview scheduling
- Final immigrant visa or green card processing
If a parent is already living in the United States and qualifies for Adjustment of Status, processing timelines may differ depending on USCIS field office scheduling and individual eligibility factors.
Because immigration procedures and processing standards can change over time, many families choose to work with an immigration attorney to better understand expected timelines, prepare accurate filings, and navigate each stage of the process with confidence.
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What Does a Parent Green Card Cost?
The cost of a parent green card can vary depending on whether your parent applies through Consular Processing outside the United States or Adjustment of Status from within the United States. Government filing fees, medical exam costs, document translation fees, and other required expenses may apply at different stages of the process.
Common costs towards permanent residency for your parents may include:
- Form I-130 filing fee
- Immigrant visa application fees for Consular Processing
- Affidavit of Support fees
- USCIS immigrant fees
- Medical examination costs
- Certified translations for documents not in English
- Fees for civil documents, such as birth certificates or police certificates
If you are sponsoring both parents, each parent generally needs their own immigration application, which may increase the total cost. Some fees may also change over time, so it is important to review current USCIS and government fee requirements before filing.
Payment timing can also vary. Some fees are paid when the petition is first submitted, while others are due later after USCIS approval, during National Visa Center processing, or before green card production.
Some families may also need a joint sponsor if the U.S. citizen petitioner does not meet income requirements alone. A joint sponsor does not usually add separate government filing fees, but they do take on legal financial responsibility under the Affidavit of Support.
At Rozas Law Firm, we help families understand expected costs, required fees, and the steps involved before beginning the parent green card process. During your consultation, our team can review your situation and explain what expenses may apply so you can move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Common Problems with Parent Green Card Applications
Parent green card cases can get complicated. These are issues we handle regularly for families:
- Insufficient income is the most common obstacle. If your household income falls below 125% of poverty guidelines, USCIS won’t approve your Affidavit of Support. Solutions include finding a joint sponsor (a U.S. citizen or green card holder who meets the income requirement independently) or using assets like savings, property, or investments to supplement your income.
- Adoption cases need extra documentation. If you’re sponsoring an adoptive parent, USCIS requires proof that the adoption was legal and finalized before you turned 16. Some countries have incomplete adoption records. We help track down provincial or state documents that prove the adoption relationship.
- Prior immigration violations create problems. If your parent overstayed a visa, entered without inspection, or has a prior deportation order, they might be inadmissible. Depending on the situation, waivers might be available. We assess whether your parent qualifies for a waiver and what evidence USCIS needs to approve it.
- Criminal history doesn’t automatically disqualify your parent, but certain convictions bar entry to the U.S. We review police certificates and court records to determine if crimes are minor enough to overlook or serious enough to need a waiver. Not all crimes are treated equally under immigration law.
- Document issues slow cases down. Missing birth certificates, name discrepancies between documents, or records in foreign languages all create delays. We know how to obtain replacement documents from Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries where our clients’ parents live. We also work with certified translators who meet USCIS requirements.
- Public charge concerns worry many families. Some clients fear that applying for their parent will hurt their own immigration status or that their parent using healthcare will cause problems. Current rules don’t penalize you for sponsoring family members, and use of Medicaid, SNAP, or other benefits by you or your U.S. citizen children doesn’t affect your parent’s green card.
- Interview preparation prevents problems. Consular officers ask questions about your relationship, your parent’s background, and sometimes your finances. We prepare your parent for common questions and review what documents they need to bring. Being prepared reduces stress and improves approval chances.
We’ve seen families assume their case is hopeless because of one complication. Often, solutions exist that they didn’t know about. That’s why we review every detail during consultations before deciding whether to move forward.
Get Started with Your Parent Green Card Application Today
Bringing your parents to the United States permanently is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your family. The IR-5 visa makes it possible for them to live with you, work without restriction, and eventually become U.S. citizens.
Don’t wait to start the process. Every day counts when you’re separated from the people who raised you. The sooner we file your petition, the sooner your parents can join you.
We make the parent green card process straightforward. Since 2004, we’ve helped more than 10,000 families navigate U.S. immigration law. We know exactly what USCIS expects, how to prevent costly mistakes, and how to handle complicated situations that would stop most people in their tracks.
Our bilingual team speaks Spanish and English fluently, so your parents can understand every step of their case. We serve families throughout Louisiana—Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport—but we handle immigration cases nationwide. Whether your parent lives in Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, or anywhere else, we can help.
We’ve represented clients in immigration courts across the United States. We understand Louisiana’s immigration landscape, what local USCIS offices expect, and how to navigate the system efficiently. That experience matters when strategy and timing decisions affect your family’s future.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Parent green card applications involve multiple government agencies, strict deadlines, and complex requirements. One missing document or incorrect form can delay your case by months. We handle the paperwork, track the deadlines, and communicate with USCIS so you can focus on your job and your family.
Call us at (225) 341-6945 or schedule a consultation through our website. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and start working on your parent’s green card application right away.
At Rozas Law Firm, we fight for families. Let us help you bring yours together.
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