How to Apply For a Green Card for Your Parents
Learn the benefits of a parent green card and how it helps families reunite. Din Law Group guides parents through the application process.
While the U.S. citizenship process may be long and daunting, it can be beneficial in the long run. One of the many benefits of gaining citizenship is the ability to sponsor additional family members. After successfully becoming a citizen of the United States, you can apply for a green card for you parents, biological, step, or adoptive, to become permanent residents in the U.S.
At Din Law Group, we have years of experience working with families to obtain a green card for parents. Our team of dedicated lawyers will work with you to ensure your application is accurate, complete, and timely.
Reach out to us to schedule a consultation with any of our immigration attorneys and start your journey to reunite your family.
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What is a Green Card for Parents?
A green card for parents is a legal document that allows parents of a U.S. citizen to live and work in the United States permanently. Parents can also access other benefits that come with a green card including travel flexibility, access to social benefits, and the ability to sponsor other relatives to live in the United States.
With the right legal guidance from an experienced immigration attorney, you can obtain a green card for parents. They can even explain the process of applying for a parent’s green card while on tourist visa.
Who Can Sponsor a Green Card for Parents?
If you have been wondering: “Can a green card holder sponsor a green card for parents?” the answer is no. Only a U.S. citizen can sponsor a green card for their parents. The criteria a sponsor must satisfy include:
- They must be a citizen of the United States of America.
- They must be able to prove relationships (via detailed documents that establish that the person you are sponsoring is your parent).
- They must submit an Affidavit of Support (or a Form I-864) to prove that they possess assets or income of at least 125% more than the standards of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Green Card for Parents Document Checklist
For parents applying from in the United States with a valid non-immigrant status, the following documents are required:
- Petition for Immigrant Relatives (Form I-130).
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or an Immigrant Visa Application (DS-260).
- Medical Exam (Form I-693).
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
- Travel Document (Form I-131).
- Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765).
All of these documents will be needed at different points in the process and having them handy can help speed up the green card for parents processing time.
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Green Card for Parents Processing Time
The green card for parents processing time depends on whether the parent is inside or outside the United States at the time of filing. For U.S. citizens petitioning for their parents, there’s no annual visa cap—so this category generally moves faster than most family-based cases.
If your parents are already in the U.S., they may be eligible to adjust status by filing Form I-130 and Form I-485 together. This process usually takes about 12 to 18 months, though timelines vary depending on the USCIS service center and local field office workload.
If your parents are living abroad, they’ll complete consular processing after Form I-130 is approved. This path often takes 18 to 24 months in total, factoring in both USCIS and National Visa Center (NVC) steps, plus the U.S. embassy interview.
Delays can occur if USCIS requests additional evidence, if background checks take longer, or if the consulate has interview backlogs. To avoid setbacks, ensure all forms are accurate, consistent, and well-documented before submission.
Working with an experienced immigration lawyer can help streamline the process, minimize errors, and keep your parents’ green card application on track from start to finish.
Applying for Parents’ Green Card While on a Tourist Visa
Many U.S. citizens wonder if applying for parents’ green card while on a tourist visa is possible — and in some cases, it is. If your parents entered the United States legally with a valid B-2 visitor visa and have no immigration violations, they may be eligible to adjust status to permanent residents without leaving the country.
However, timing and intent are critical. USCIS closely reviews whether your parents entered the U.S. with the genuine intent to visit or to immigrate. If it appears they planned to stay permanently before entering on a tourist visa, the application could be denied for visa fraud or misrepresentation.
To avoid problems, it’s best to consult an immigration attorney before filing. An attorney can confirm eligibility, guide you on proper timing, and help ensure the application is filed correctly to avoid triggering immigration penalties.
Schedule a Parent Green Card Consultation
At Din Law Group, we are your go-to immigration attorneys if you want to apply for a parent green card. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started on the green card for parents process as soon as possible.
