Parent of a US Citizen
Green Card for Parent of a US Citizen
US Citizens with parents (mother or father) that are nationals of other countries are able to petition and apply for their parent’s Green Cards.
Green Card Benefits for Parents
1. Live in the United States.
Your parents will be able to legally live in the United States.
2. Work in the United States.
Your mother or father will be able to legally work in the USA.
3. Social Security Number
Your parents will be able to get social security numbers.
4. Driver’s License
Your parents will be eligible to apply for a State Driver’s License.
5. Eligibility to Apply for US Citizenship
One of the major benefits a Green Card offers is that a Green Card opens the door to apply for US Citizenship. After being a Green Card holder for 5 years, your mother and father may apply for US Citizenship.
6. Apply for Green Cards for Other Family Members
Green Card holders are able to apply for Green Cards for:
• Spouse
• Children under 21 years old and who are unmarried
General Requirements for Parent’s Green Card
When applying for a Green Card as the Child of a US Citizen, there is 1 general requirement that the government looks at when deciding to approve your application:
• You must be legally related to your parents
In order to apply for a Green Card for your parents, you must legally be your mother or father’s child. This is normally proven by a government issued birth certificate with your parents name on it or other legal documents showing the relationship between you and your parents.
Green Card Application Process for Parents of US Citizen
The application process for a Green Card depends on where the non-US Citizen parent lives.
Option 1: Parent Living in the USA – Interview in the USA (Adjustment of Status)
The application process for a parent that currently lives in the United States is a “one-step” process:
• Document Checklist
Once you hire our firm, our immigration attorney will provide you with a tailored checklist of the documents needed to prepare your parent’s Green Card application.
• Prepare Green Card Application
Once you and your parent have provided our office with the required documents, we will prepare and submit your application to US government.
• Work and Travel Permit
Once your parent’s Green Card application has been submitted, your parent may be eligible to receive a work and travel permit. With this permit, your parent can get a social security number and work legally in the US while the Green Card application is pending.
• Green Card Interview
The last step of the process is the Green Card interview. The purpose of this interview is for a US government official to determine whether you meet the requirements for getting a Green Card and to confirm that you and your parents are legally related as parent and child. Prior to this interview, our immigration attorney will schedule an appointment to help prepare you and your parent(s) for the interview.
Option 2: Living Outside the USA – Interview Outside the USA (Consular Processing)
What if the Parent, lives outside of the United States? Then the application process changes to a “two-step” process:
• Document Checklist
Once you hire our firm, our immigration attorney will provide you with a tailored checklist of the documents needed to prepare your parent’s Green Card application.
• Prepare and Submit Step 1 of Application
Once you and your parent have provided our office with the required documents, we will prepare and submit Step 1 of your application to US Government.
• Prepare and Submit Step 2 of Application
Upon approval of Step 1 of the application, our attorney will prepare and submit Step 2 of the application to the National Visa Center (US Embassy).
• Green Card Interview
Step 2 ends with the Green Card interview. The purpose of this interview is for a US Government Officer to determine whether you meet the requirements for getting a Green Card and to confirm that you and your parents are legally related as parent and child. Prior to this interview, our attorney will schedule an appointment to help prepare your parent(s) for the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions about Green Cards for Parents
• Am I able to petition for a stepparent?
Yes, you are able to petition for both a stepparent as well as a biological parent. So long as your biological parent and stepparent were married before you (the US Citizen son or daughter) had your 18th birthday.
For More Information About Green Card for Parent of a US Citizen
If you would like to set up a consultation with an immigration attorney to discuss the time, costs and other requirements associated with your parent’s Green Card application, please call (210) 858-9681.