How to Apply for a Green Card for My Parent: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Overview: Applying for a Green Card for My Parent

Green card for parents

Recently, I received a lot of questions regarding how to apply for a green card for their parents, so I decided to write up a new guide for this part.

Basically, there are two major actions to apply for a green card for your parent: First you need to file I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, then your parent needs to file for I-485 Adjustment of Status (AOS). If your parent lives in the USA already, you can file these two concurrently. Let's look into more details:

The article is fairly long, you can click the links below to directly jump to the section you need!

*Disclaimer: This article is for sharing personal experience only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Step 2: Download and fill out form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative 

Step 3: Download the cover letter template  

Step 4: Collect the required documents - see the checklist 

-----If your parents live outside USA, they do not need a work permit and can't file I-485 concurrently with I-130, so you can skip to step 8. See here for more information.

Step 5: Download and fill out form I-485 AOS, see this post for more information. 

Step 6: Decide whether your parents need a work permit

Step 7: (Optional) Fill out form I-765 work authorization & I-131 travel permi

Step 8: Review and sign your forms! - if you forget to sign, you will be rejected!

Step 9: Assemble & pack your application package - see some tips here 

Step 10: Mail out your package - see the mailing address 

Now it's time to wait for the good news! See my concurrent filing timeline here.

Who is eligible for bringing parents to live in USA permanently?

In order to apply for a green card for your parents, you must be a US citizen and at least 21 years old. You need BOTH to be qualified. Be careful, green card holders (permanent residents) are not eligible to bring parents to live in the US permanently.

Note that if you are applying for both of your parents, each of them would need his/her own petition. Read here to learn more: https://diysimpleidea.blogspot.com/2020/06/green-card-for-parents.html

Fill out Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

Download the most recent form I-130 here! The form itself is quite straightforward. Some basic information you need for filling out this form:
  • Address history for past 5 years
  • Employment history for the past 5 years
  • Travel records - check your I-94 online
  • Your parent's any previous immigration status
  • Any previous petition you have filed for your parent or others

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Checklist

What needs to be included in the I-130 application package? See below for a I-130 Checklist:
  • Filing fee: $535 - See accepted payment options here.
  • Cover Letter (Optional, but I highly recommend you include it)
  • G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  • Certified translation of each document if it's in a foreign language
  • 2 Passport style photos of petitioner (you, US citizen)
  • 2 Passport style photos of beneficiary (your parent)
  • Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative - (you, US citizen fills out this form)
  • Copy of beneficiary's birth certificate (your parent)
  • Proof of US citizen (you, US citizen):
    • Copy of petitioner's birth certificate 
    • Copy of petitioner's U.S. passport
    • And/or copy of naturalization certificate
  • Beneficiary's foreign passport copy (your parent) - make sure it's not expired
  • Form I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary 
  • See cover letters below for a full list.

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Cover Letters

A cover letter is not required, but it will definitely be a plus if you include one because it will help itemize the documents you are submitting.

*Click here to grant access to the cover letter template(s). 

Depends on your relationship with your parents, you need to submit different documents:

Can I apply for I-485 and I-130 Together for My Parents?

It depends on where your parents live now:
  • If your parents live within the USA, the easiest way to apply for their green cards is to file your parents' I-485 Adjustment of status (AOS) concurrently with your I-130. See this dedicated step-by-step I-485 guide.
  • If your parents currently live outside the USA, you will be notified by USCIS when your form I-130 is approved or denied. Once it's approved, they will be notified to go to the local US consulate to complete visa processing. 

About Work Permits for Parents

  • If your parents currently live in the USA and want a work permit, I recommend concurrently file for these forms:
    • I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
    • I-485 Adjustment of Status
    • I-765 Employment Authorization (Optional) - this is the work permit
    • I-131 Application for Travel Document (Optional)
  • Your parents currently live outside the USA - You don't need to apply for a work permit

Assemble and Pack your I-130 Application

If you are applying for I-130 alone, it's simpler. Here's the order I would do:
  • One G-1450 Form (definitely on top) - Authorization for Credit Card Transactions for I-130
  • G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  • I-130 Cover Letter (Optional, but I highly recommend you have this)
  • 2 Passport style photos of petitioner (you, US citizen)
  • 2 Passport style photos of beneficiary (your parents)
  • Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative - (you, US citizen fills out this form)
  • Petitioner's birth certificate copy (you, US citizen)
  • Beneficiary's birth certificate copy (your parent)
  • Petitioner's U.S. passport copy (you, US citizen)
  • Beneficiary's foreign passport copy (your parent)
  • Form I-130A Supplemental Information for Beneficiary 
  • Other supporting documents such as certified translation, proof of name change, etc.
On each document, I added a sticky tag at the bottom of the document to explain what it is. Then I used a black clip to hold everything together and put them in a folder. On the outside package box, write "Original Submission". Click here to see helpful guidelines from USCIS.

For concurrent filing I-130 & I-485, see here for a more detailed step-by-step guide: How to assemble my I-485 concurrent filing package.

Where Do I Mail My I-130 to?

If you are filing I-485 concurrently (for parents within USA), the mailing address through USPS is:

USCIS Chicago Lockbox
USCIS P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

You can also mail your package through FedEx, UPS, and/or DHL. Depends on where you live, which carrier you are using, and whether you're filing with other forms, this address can be different, click here to see a full list of direction.

How long does it take to apply for I-130 & I-485?

If you file form I-130 alone, it's faster of course. If you file I-130 & I-485 concurrently, this is a typical timeline:

See my real case timeline here!

Can I File My I-130 Online?

Yes! If you are outside the USA, you can either file at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility or online. Create an account with USCIS here.

What if my parents have minor children? 

Be careful, if your parents have children (your siblings) under 18 years old, those siblings can not be sponsored on the same petition. They have to gain their status later through your parents when one of your parents become a permanent resident. This will be a separate petition from your parent.

I hope this article helps! Did your application go smoothly as expected? You are welcome to share your experience with all of us in the comment!

Read this post to learn more about I-485 Adjustment of Status Application>>

Disclaimer: This article is for sharing personal experience only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.

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