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Bringing Your Parents to the U.S. – How to Sponsor Their Green Card

For many U.S. citizens with family abroad, one of the most meaningful immigration steps is bringing their parents to live with them in the United States. If your parents are currently living abroad and you’ve already become a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to sponsor them for a Green Card as immediate relatives—giving them the right to live and work in the U.S. permanently.

Are Parents Eligible for a Green Card?

Yes. Under U.S. immigration law, parents of U.S. citizens are classified as “Immediate Relatives.” This is the most favorable category in the family-based immigration system, as there are no annual visa caps or long wait times for this group. You, as the U.S. citizen, are the Petitioner, and your parents are the Beneficiaries.

Two Application Scenarios

1. Your Parents Are Still Abroad

• You file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS in the U.S.
• After about 12 months, USCIS sends an approval notice.
• The case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC), which collects documents and schedules the visa interview at the U.S. consulate in Germany.
• If approved, your parents receive an immigrant visa allowing them to enter the U.S.
• Once they arrive, the Green Card is mailed to their U.S. address within 2–4 weeks.

Note: The visa is only valid for 6 months, and if they don’t travel within that period, the process must start over.

2. Your Parents Are Already in the U.S.

• You file Form I-130 together with Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status).
• This process also takes about 12 months and allows them to stay in the U.S. during adjudication.
• Parents can travel during the adjustment of status process, but this can lead to complications upon reentry. Before travelling you should consult with an attorney.
• If your parents plan to visit the U.S. (e.g. on ESTA or a B visa) before starting the Green Card process, it’s essential to discuss this with an immigration attorney. A mistimed entry may raise suspicions about immigrant intent and lead to complications at the border.