Can I Bring My Parents to the U.S. Permanently?

If you’re wondering, “Can I bring my parents to the U.S. permanently?” U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old may petition for lawful permanent residence for their mother or father. USCIS classifies parents of U.S. citizens as immediate relatives.

However, having a U.S. citizen child does not automatically grant immigration status. The process varies depending on how the parents entered the United States, where they currently live, and whether they have any immigration or criminal history that could affect the case.

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Our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles at Lluis Law can review your situation and advise you on the appropriate path. 

Can U.S. Citizen Children File a Family Petition for Their Parents?

A U.S. citizen can begin the process of obtaining permanent residence through a family petition for their father or mother by filing Form I-130 if they are at least 21 years old.

This differs from other family-based immigration categories in which the priority date may determine how long the beneficiary must wait for a visa to become available.

For example, a U.S. citizen can petition for their siblings, but this category is subject to annual visa limits and typically involves different waiting periods. 

By contrast:

• A lawful permanent resident cannot petition for their parents.
• A U.S. citizen under the age of 21 cannot petition for their parents either.
• A separate Form I-130 petition must be filed for each parent.

The rules also vary depending on the family relationship and the beneficiary’s age. Different requirements and categories apply when a U.S. citizen wants to sponsor a child over 21.

What If I Am a Permanent Resident and Want to Petition for My Parents?

You would first need to become a U.S. citizen. Generally, a person may apply for naturalization after five years as a permanent resident.

In certain cases, the spouse of a U.S. citizen may apply for naturalization after three years as a permanent resident, provided they have lived in marital union with their spouse during that period and meet the other requirements for a Green Card through marriage.

Once naturalized and at least 21 years old, they may file Form I-130 for each parent.

What Are the Requirements to Bring My Parents to the United States?

The U.S. citizen child must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• File a separate Form I-130 for each parent.
• Prove the qualifying family relationship.
• Meet the financial sponsorship requirements through Form I-864 when applicable.

The parents, in turn, must establish a valid qualifying family relationship and be admissible for permanent residence or, if a ground of inadmissibility applies, determine whether a waiver of inadmissibility is available.

What Documents Prove the Family Relationship?

The required evidence depends on the relationship:

• Biological mother: The child’s birth certificate listing the mother is generally used.
• Biological father: The birth certificate and other documents may be required depending on whether the parents were married and how the father-child relationship was legally established.
• Stepparent: The marriage that created the stepparent relationship must have taken place before the child turned 18.
• Adoptive parent: Generally, the adoption must have been completed before the child turned 16, and the applicable legal custody and joint residence requirements must be met.

In adoption cases, USCIS generally also requires evidence of at least two years of legal custody and joint residence. Any legal name changes must also be documented when applicable.

What Happens If My Parents Overstayed Their Authorized Stay?

If your parents lawfully entered the United States but remained in the country after their authorized period of stay expired, they may still be eligible to adjust status as parents of a U.S. citizen.

Because they are immediate relatives, certain immigration violations, such as failing to continuously maintain lawful status or working without authorization, do not by themselves prevent them from applying for adjustment of status.

However, this does not eliminate other potential immigration issues. Fraud, certain criminal convictions, prior deportations, or other grounds of inadmissibility may still affect the application.

How Much Must a Sponsor Earn to Petition for Parents in 2026?

In most family-based cases, the sponsor must demonstrate income of at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

For a household of two people, the 2026 reference amounts are:

• 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.: $27,050.
• Alaska: $33,813.
• Hawaii: $31,113.

Household size may include the sponsor’s spouse, dependents, certain previously sponsored immigrants, and other individuals who must be counted. 

If the sponsor’s income is insufficient, it may be necessary to use qualifying income from a household member or a joint sponsor.

Can Forms I-130 and I-485 Be Filed at the Same Time? 

In certain cases, Form I-130 may be filed together with Form I-485. Because parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 years old or older are immediate relatives, they do not have to wait for an immigrant visa to become available.

If the parent is in the United States and meets the requirements to adjust status, it may be possible to file both forms at the same time. This is known as concurrent filing.

However, being able to file both forms together does not mean that every parent who is in the United States is eligible to adjust status. 

How Does the Way Your Parents Entered the United States Affect the Case?

The manner of entry is one of the most important aspects of the case because it may determine whether the parents can apply for adjustment of status from within the United States or must complete consular processing.

If They Were Inspected and Admitted or Paroled

To adjust status through the general process, a person normally must have been inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled.

Parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives and are exempt from certain adjustment bars related to failing to maintain lawful status or working without authorization. 

This does not eliminate the other requirements. They must still be eligible to adjust status and must not be subject to other grounds of inadmissibility.

If They Entered Without Inspection

A person who entered without being inspected and admitted or paroled generally cannot adjust status under the standard rule in INA 245(a), unless an applicable exception exists.

In many cases, the parent will need to complete consular processing for permanent residence. If the parent accrued unlawful presence, leaving the United States may trigger:

• 3-year bar: After more than 180 days but less than one year of unlawful presence, when the legal requirements are met.
• 10-year bar: After one year or more of unlawful presence.

Before leaving the United States, it is important to determine whether a waiver is available.

What Is the Process for Getting a Green Card for My Parents?

1. File Form I-130

The U.S. citizen child files a petition for each parent along with proof of citizenship and evidence of the qualifying family relationship.

Approval of Form I-130 recognizes the qualifying relationship that serves as the basis for the immigration category, but it does not by itself grant a Green Card or lawful immigration status.

2. Choose Between Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing

If the parent is in the United States and meets the requirements to adjust status, they may file Form I-485. Because parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, an immigrant visa is immediately available in this category.

If the parent lives outside the United States, or must complete the process from abroad, the case normally proceeds to the National Visa Center (NVC), where documents, fees, Form DS-260, and financial sponsorship paperwork are processed.

If your petition has already been approved, see what happens after Form I-130 is approved.

3. Medical Examination and Interview

The applicant must complete the required medical examination. If the case requires an interview, they must attend the appointment scheduled by USCIS or the appropriate U.S. consulate.

Since November 1, 2025, the Department of State requires immigrant visa applicants to be interviewed in the consular district corresponding to their place of residence or, upon request, in their country of nationality, subject to limited exceptions. 

The Department of State updated this guidance on July 15, 2026. 

4. Approval and Permanent Residence

If USCIS approves the adjustment of status application, the parent becomes a lawful permanent resident.

In a consular case, if the immigrant visa is approved, the parent must enter the United States before the expiration date shown on the visa. These visas are generally valid for up to six months, but they may expire sooner if, for example, the medical examination expires.

What Is the I-601A Waiver?

Form I-601A may be an option for certain applicants who must leave the United States for a consular interview and would be inadmissible because of unlawful presence.

This waiver:

• Is requested before leaving the United States.
• Is limited to the unlawful presence ground of inadmissibility under INA 212(a)(9)(B).
• Does not automatically waive other grounds of inadmissibility.

For this waiver, extreme hardship must be demonstrated to a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. The U.S. citizen child who filed Form I-130 does not, by themselves, qualify as a qualifying relative for this requirement.

How Much Does It Cost to Petition for Parents in 2026?

The costs depend on whether the case is handled through adjustment of status or consular processing and whether any waiver is required.

Potential fees include:

• Form I-130.
• Form I-485, when adjustment of status applies.
• Form I-601A, if necessary.
• Medical examination.
• $325 for family-based immigrant visa processing through the consular process.
• $120 for review of the Affidavit of Support when applicable.

USCIS filing fees may change, so it is advisable to confirm the current amount before filing each form. The Department of State currently maintains the $325 and $120 consular fees listed above.

How Long Does It Take for a U.S. Citizen Child to Petition for Their Parents?

There is no single timeframe for completing the entire process. Processing times vary depending on the form, USCIS office, NVC, consulate, and the specific circumstances of the case.

Mistakes That Can Complicate a Petition for Parents

Some common mistakes include:

• Believing that having a U.S. citizen child automatically protects a parent from deportation.
• Filing Form I-130 without first determining how the father or mother entered the United States.
• Leaving the United States without analyzing the consequences of unlawful presence.
• Failing to disclose arrests, deportations, immigration fraud, or previous entries.
• Assuming that an approved I-130 eliminates inadmissibility issues.
• Failing to respond on time to a Request for Evidence or other USCIS notice.

If the sponsor loses their job, that does not automatically invalidate the I-130 petition, but it may affect the financial sponsorship requirement.

The petitioner remains the primary sponsor and must comply with Form I-864 requirements. If their income is insufficient, a joint sponsor or other qualifying income may be used.

FAQs: Can I Bring My Parents to the U.S. Permanently?

What Does a U.S. Citizen Child Need to Petition for Their Parents?

The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old, file a separate Form I-130 for each parent, and prove the qualifying family relationship.

Can a Permanent Resident Petition for Their Parents?

No. Lawful permanent residents may petition for certain relatives, but not for their parents. To do so, they would first need to naturalize and meet the other applicable requirements.

U.S. citizens may also file petitions for other family members, although each category has its own rules. For example, see our article on how long it takes to bring a spouse to the USA.

Does Having a U.S. Citizen Child Automatically Give Me a Green Card?

No. The child’s U.S. citizenship allows them to file the petition once they turn 21, but the parent must still complete the permanent residence process and meet all eligibility and admissibility requirements.

Can I Petition for My In-Laws?

No. You cannot file Form I-130 for your in-laws as parents of a U.S. citizen.

How Long Does It Take a U.S. Citizen to Bring Their Parents to the United States?

There is no universal timeframe. It depends on whether the case proceeds through adjustment of status or consular processing, USCIS and NVC processing times, the interview location, and any additional complications.

Can I Petition for My Father and Mother at the Same Time? 

Yes. You can start both petitions at the same time, but you must file a separate Form I-130 for each parent because each petition is evaluated independently.

Immigration Lawyers for Parent Petitions in Los Angeles

Petitioning for your parents may seem straightforward, but the way they entered the United States, previous departures, deportation orders, criminal history, and grounds of inadmissibility can completely change the legal strategy.

At Lluis Law, David and Ramiro Lluis lead an experienced immigration team that serves families in both Spanish and English.

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If you want to file a petition for your father or mother, we can review your immigration history, determine whether adjustment of status or consular processing is appropriate, and help you prepare the case before submitting it to USCIS.