Parent of a U.S. Citizen (IR5 – petitioner must be 21+)
Home / Parent of a U.S. Citizen (IR5 – petitioner must be 21+)
Key Forms & Process
The process begins by filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) along with proof of your U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate) and proof of parent-child relationship (your birth certificate listing your parent’s name). After USCIS approval, the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC), where we submit Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) and Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Your parent then attends an interview at the U.S. embassy in their home country. Once approved, they receive an IR5 visa and enter the U.S. as lawful permanent residents.
What We Handle at ZubaidaLaw
Our legal advocates manage every step: document collection (birth certificates, marriage certificates of parents, police clearances), notarization of affidavits, financial eligibility review, and embassy interview preparation. We also handle complex cases like stepparents (if marriage occurred before child turned 18), adoptive parents, or widowed parents. If your income is insufficient, we help identify a joint sponsor using Form I-864A.
Call us at 865-382-2900 to verify your eligibility and begin your parent’s green card application today.
It's an immediate relative visa for parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. There is no annual quota, so no waiting for a visa number.
You must be at least 21 years old to sponsor a parent. If you are under 21, you cannot file I-130 for your parent.
No. Unlike children under 18, parents do not acquire automatic citizenship. They receive a 10-year green card and can apply for naturalization (Form N-400) after 5 years as a permanent resident.
Your long-form birth certificate showing your parent's name. If your parent is not listed, we use adoption decrees, school records, or DNA testing as alternatives.
Yes, if your U.S. citizen parent married your stepparent before you turned 18. We help gather marriage certificates and proof of the relationship.
Yes, if the adoption was finalized before you turned 16 (or before 18 for certain sibling adoptions). A certified adoption decree is required.
I-130, DS-260, I-864 (Affidavit of Support), plus your parent's civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate of parents, police certificates, medical exam).
125% of Federal Poverty Guideline (approx. $25,550 for a household of 2 in 2025, higher if you have a spouse or children). If you don't meet it, a joint sponsor can sign Form I-864.
Yes, using a B-2 tourist visa or ESTA (if from a visa waiver country). However, they must prove non-immigrant intent (return ticket, home abroad) to avoid being denied entry.
Yes. We provide full notarization services for affidavits of support, relationship statements, and translated foreign documents. We also offer legal consultations for complex IR5 cases.
