Green Card for Parents
When one thinks about obtaining a green card, it is often associated with marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, there are other avenues to obtaining a green card, such as sponsorship by a U.S. citizen child. If you are the parent of a U.S. citizen child, you may be eligible to apply for a green card based on this familial relationship. The child's U.S. citizenship provides an opportunity for sponsorship, offering a legal path to permanent residency in the United States. To navigate this process and ensure a smooth application, it is advisable to consult with an experienced IR-5 visa attorney, such as those at the Law Offices of Vivian N. Szawarc.
Green Card for Immediate Relatives
Foreign parents of U.S. citizens have special status as immediate relatives, which offers benefits within the immigration process. Immediate relatives have immediate access to an unlimited number of immigration visas, eliminating the need to wait for visas to become available.
This includes:
Spouses of U.S. Citizens : If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you may apply for a green card as an immediate relative.
Unmarried children under 21 : If you are an unmarried child of a U.S. citizen under the age of 21, you may apply for a green card.
Parents of U.S. Citizens (if the citizen is over 21) : As the parent of a U.S. citizen over the age of 21, you may apply for a green card.
One advantage of being an immediate relative is the exemption from visa preference categories, avoiding long waiting periods. Seeking the guidance of an immigration attorney can provide valuable information and increase your chances of obtaining permanent residence.
Green Card Eligibility for Parents
To sponsor your parents as green card holders, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Green card holders cannot sponsor their parents. You can sponsor your parents if:
- His mother lives outside the United States.
- His father lives outside the United States.
- Your father lives outside the United States and you were born out of wedlock and were not legitimized by your father before the age of 18.
- You are filing a petition to bring your stepparent or adoptive parent to live in the United States.
Supporting Documents for Form I-130
When completing Form I-130 to sponsor a parent, it is critical to submit supporting documents that establish the relationship between parent and child.
This includes:
- A copy of the child's birth certificate showing the name of the child and the father.
- If the child was not born in the U.S., a copy of the child's Certificate of Naturalization, Citizenship, or U.S. passport.
- Additional evidence if the child's birth was not legitimized before the age of 18.
- Evidence of legitimation if the child's birth was legitimized before the age of 18.
These documents are crucial to establishing the relationship and strengthening the green card application.
Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help ensure your petition is complete and accurate, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.