How to Get a Green Card for Your Parents

American citizens can help their non-US citizen parents obtain green cards or lawful permanent residence. There are basic requirements to be met, and you need to submit proofs of your relationship. The process is similar to filing a petition for an alien spouse.

Instructions

1. Make sure you are eligible to petition your parents for a green card. To be able to apply for a green card for your parents, you must be:

   A U.S. citizen, either born in the United States or its territories, naturalized or born in a foreign land to an American parent; and
   At least 21 years old.

2. Make sure your parents fall into any of these categories:

   Natural father or natural mother;
   Stepfather or stepmother, if he or she married your parent before you were 18 years old; or
   Adopted father or adopted mother, if you were adopted before you turned 16 years old.

3. File the I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative. The I-130 form is used to request an immigrant visa for an alien relative. Attach proof of your citizenship or naturalization, such as naturalization certificate or a U.S. passport. Submit your petition to the appropriate USCIS address.

4. Prove your legal and emotional ties with your parents. When filing the I-130 petition, attach the required documents proving the beneficiary's relationship to you. These may include one or more of the following depending on the type of parent you petition for:

   Birth certificate showing the beneficiary as your natural father or mother;
   Proof of name change if beneficiary changed name;
   Natural parents' marriage certificate;
   Proof of emotional ties with natural father if you were illegitimate up to 18 years old;
   Proof that you were legitimated (if you were) before you turned 18 years old;
   Stepfather or stepmother's marriage certificate (to your biological parent);
   Proof of termination of previous marriages of either parent (divorce or annulment decree, or death certificate);
   Adoption decree before you were 16 years old; or
   A statement listing the places and times you have lived with your adoptive parent.

5. Apply for the parent's green card. If and when your I-130 petition is approved, your beneficiary may apply for a green card. If outside the U.S., he must apply for an immigrant visa at the nearest U.S. consulate. If in the country, he may pursue an adjustment of status. Either leads ultimately to lawful permanent residence if the application is successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Green card holders cannot petition their parents. Only citizens can.

References

• USCIS: Bringing Parents to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents