Can I bring my parents to USA permanently

If you’ve been asking yourself “Can I bring my parents to USA permanently”, here are the key steps to improve your chances of approval in 2025:

• Be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old;
• Gather proof of the parent–child relationship (such as the birth certificate);
• File Form I-130 with USCIS; and
• Show income of at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL) or add a joint sponsor.

Depending on where your parents are (in the U.S. or abroad), you’ll proceed with adjustment of status or consular processing, which affects both timing and costs.

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In the sections below, you’ll find what this process entails, today’s requirements, and how the step-by-step path works to lawfully bring your parents to live in the United States.

How can I bring my parents to USA permanently as lawful permanent residents?

To reunite your family quickly and safely, a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older may request a parent’s Green Card through Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).

Once approved, parents become lawful permanent residents with the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. Key points:

• Only U.S. citizens can file this petition. Lawful permanent residents cannot petition for their parents.
• Parents of U.S. citizens are “immediate relatives,” so there is no annual visa cap and the process is usually faster than other categories.
• The process begins with a family-based immigration filing with USCIS, supported by evidence proving the relationship.

If you want to know how to fill out Form I-130, check our step-by-step guide to complete the petition correctly and avoid common mistakes.

Requirements to petition your parents as a U.S. citizen

To get started, and for anyone asking “Can I bring my parents to USA permanently”, you must meet these basic requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
• Submit Form I-130 to USCIS as the initial petition.
• Complete Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), agreeing to support your parents until they become U.S. citizens or work 40 quarters in the U.S.
• Show minimum income equal to 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL).
• Provide supporting financial documents: tax returns, pay stubs, or bank statements proving you meet the income requirement.
• Be ready to sign as the financial sponsor. If you don’t meet the threshold, you may add a joint sponsor.

Note: If your parents have been in the U.S. without status or accrued unlawful presence, read our article on unlawful presence in the U.S. to understand how this may affect the case.

Minimum sponsor income (125% FPL in 2025)

For those wondering can I bring my parents to USA permanently, USCIS requires the sponsoring child to prove sufficient income to support them

This threshold is based on 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL) and varies by state. Current minimums are:

• 48 contiguous states and D.C.: $25,550
• Alaska: $31,925
• Hawaii: $29,375

These amounts reflect a two-person household (sponsoring child + one parent). If the household is larger, for example, if you petition both parents or the sponsor has a spouse and children, the required income increases.

Always review USCIS’s full table before filing Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and, if needed, add a joint sponsor to meet the requirement.

Required documents depending on whether parents live inside or outside the U.S.

The documentation changes based on your parents’ location when you file:

If your parents live outside the U.S. (consular processing)

• Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
• Birth certificates for the child and the parents (with certified translations if not in English).
• Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship: valid U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.
• Civil marriage certificate for the parents (if the relationship is through marriage).
• Documents regarding any name changes, divorce, or death, if applicable.
• Visa-style photos for the parents.
• Fee payments, NVC forms, and any additional documents required by the consulate.

If your parents are lawfully in the U.S. (adjustment of status)

• Form I-130.
• Form I-485 (to adjust status to lawful permanent resident).
• Birth certificates for the child and the parents.
• Evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship (passport or Certificate of Naturalization).
• Supporting documents: current passport, lawful entry (I-94, visa), immigration history.
• Employment letters, tax returns, and proof of financial ability.
• USCIS-required biometric-style photos.
• Proof of eligibility to adjust status (not subject to adjustment bars).

Important: If your parents leave the U.S. while adjustment is pending, they may lose the ability to re-enter unless they have proper travel authorization.

Example: María, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, files for her father who is in Los Angeles, California on a tourist visa. In addition to Form I-130, she may file Form I-485 so he adjusts status without leaving the country.

Step-by-step process to petition your parents

If you’re still thinking can I bring my parents to USA permanently, here’s how the process typically unfolds:

1. Gather the required documentation

Start by collecting the following documents:

• Birth certificates;
• Marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Copy of the child’s U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization; and
• Any document that proves the relationship.

2. Complete and file Form I-130

This form establishes the parent–child relationship before USCIS. Parents are immediate relatives, so there is no annual visa quota for them.

3. Pay the initial fees

The official Form I-130 fee changed on April 1, 2024 under USCIS’s fee update, with two filing options:

• Online filing: $625
• Paper filing: $675

Always verify USCIS’s current fee table before filing, as amounts can change.

4. Wait for USCIS notices

USCIS will send a receipt notice. If information is incomplete or incorrect, it may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) that must be answered by the deadline to avoid delays.

Note: If your Form I-130 has already been approved, see our detailed guide on what happens after I-130 approval so you don’t lose time on the next steps.

5. Adjustment of status or consular processing

After the I-130 is approved, the next step depends on where your parents are during the process:

• Adjustment of status: If your parents are lawfully in the U.S., they can file Form I-485 at the same time as the I-130 (known as concurrent filing). Since 2024, the I-485 fee is $1,440 and includes biometrics.
  • Many applicants also file I-765 (work authorization) and I-131 (travel document), which have separate fees.
• Consular processing: If your parents are outside the U.S., once the I-130 is approved the case goes to the NVC, which will request Form DS-260 and I-864 (Affidavit of Support), plus the applicable consular fees.

6. Interview and medical exam

Your parents must undergo a medical exam with a civil surgeon (Form I-693) and attend the interview with USCIS (if in the U.S.) or at the consulate (if it’s consular processing).

7. Green Card issuance

If the interview is approved and documents are in order, USCIS will adjust status to lawful permanent resident or the consulate will issue an immigrant visa. The Green Card will then be mailed to the address on file.

Updated costs in 2025

The total cost for those wondering can I bring my parents to USA permanently depends on the route (adjustment of status in the U.S. vs. consular processing abroad):

• Form I-130: $625 online or $675 by paper.
• Form I-485: $1,440.
• Medical exam: Between $200 and $500, depending on the civil surgeon.
• Consular processing: $325 (for parents abroad).
• USCIS Immigrant Fee (Green Card production): $220, paid after receiving the immigrant visa.

With these fees, the process usually ranges from $1,700 to $3,000 per parent, not including translations, certified copies, attorney’s fees, or other administrative expenses.

Practical example: Carlos, a U.S. citizen, files for his mother in Colombia. He pays the I-130 ($625 online), consular fees ($325), the medical exam (about $300), and the Green Card fee ($220). The total is around $1,500, not counting translations or legal counsel.

How long does a U.S. citizen petition for a parent take?

Families often ask how long it takes for a U.S. citizen to bring parents to the U.S.

The answer mainly depends on two factors: whether the parents are inside the U.S. or must process from abroad.

Parents in the U.S.

The full process (I-130 approval plus I-485 adjustment) typically takes about 12 to 24 months or more.

Some cases finish in under a year, but USCIS backlogs have extended average timelines.

Helpful tip: Many applicants receive work authorization (I-765) and a travel document (I-131) within a few months, allowing them to work and travel while waiting for the Green Card.

Parents outside the U.S.

The process may take 18 to 36 months.

• I-130 approval is often around 14 months.
• NVC processing can add several months, depending on how quickly fees and documents are submitted.
• The consular interview depends on local embassy/consulate availability and may cause further delays.

Factors that affect wait times

• Responding on time to any RFE.
• USCIS office workload.
• Consular workload and appointment availability.
• Accuracy of the documents submitted.

Note: Check current timelines using USCIS’s official processing times tool.

Practical example: María obtained her mother’s residency in 9 months when USCIS workloads were lower. Today, that same path often takes 15–18 months. Similarly, José took 19 months to bring his father from El Salvador, but it could be longer now if the consulate has delays.

Legal obligations of the financial sponsor

By signing Form I-864, the U.S.-citizen child undertakes a legal commitment that goes beyond meeting initial income:

• Ensuring the parents do not become a public charge.
• Maintaining financial responsibility until the parents naturalize or have worked at least 40 quarters in the U.S.

If income falls short, the sponsor may add a joint sponsor to meet these obligations.

Practical example: Sofía, age 24, earns $24,000 per year, which is below 125% FPL in 2025. To avoid losing the petition, her uncle, also a U.S. citizen, signs as a joint sponsor with Form I-864.

What if I naturalize during the process?

If you filed for your parents while you were a lawful permanent resident, that petition cannot be processed because only U.S. citizens may petition for their parents.

If you naturalize while another family petition is pending, notify USCIS so your case moves to the immediate-relative category and your parents are no longer subject to a wait list.

This can significantly speed up Green Card approval.

What if the petition is denied and how do I appeal?

If USCIS denies the I-130 for parents, the notice will explain the reasons for denial and your right to appeal. Keep in mind:

1. Read the denial notice.
   • If documents are missing, refiling a well-prepared I-130 may be faster.
   • Appealing makes sense if you believe USCIS made a legal or procedural error.
2. File the correct form.
   • Use Form EOIR-29 (Notice of Appeal to the BIA).
   • File it with the same USCIS office that issued the denial; USCIS will forward it to the BIA.
3. If represented by an attorney.
   • Your attorney must also file Form EOIR-27 (Notice of Entry of Appearance before the BIA).
4. Respect the deadlines.
   • For EOIR-29: 30 days from the denial date (33 if by mail).
   • For revocations: 15 days (18 if notified by mail).
5. Submit strong arguments.
   • Although immigration appeals can be won, success requires solid legal arguments or compelling new evidence. Repeating the same material rarely works.

Practical example: Pedro’s I-130 for his mother was denied for lack of relationship proof. With counsel, he filed EOIR-29 plus corrected certificates, and the BIA accepted the appeal.

FAQs about a U.S. citizen petition for parents

At what age can I file for my parents?

You can file once you are a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Lawful permanent residents cannot file for their parents.

How much do I need to earn to file for my parents?

You must meet a minimum income of 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL). If you don’t, you may add a joint sponsor.

Can I petition my parents if I’m only a lawful permanent resident?

No. The law does not allow a permanent resident to obtain a Green Card for their parents. However, LPRs may petition for a spouse or unmarried children under 21.

For adult children and other categories, see: Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a child over 21?

Can a U.S.-citizen child file for undocumented parents?

Yes, but it depends on how they entered the country:

• If they entered lawfully and later fell out of status, they may adjust status after the petition.
• If they entered without inspection, they may need one of the waivers of inadmissibility or face 3- to 10-year bars before applying for a Green Card.

What other family members can I petition as a U.S. citizen?

In addition to parents, a U.S. citizen can petition for:

• Spouse.
• Unmarried children under 21.
• Married children or those over 21.
• Siblings.

For the last category, read more here: bringing siblings to live in the United States as permanent residents.

Can my parents work while they wait for the Green Card?

Yes, if they were lawfully admitted and receive either a passport stamp or a temporary employment authorization while the case is pending.

How to improve approval odds for a U.S. citizen petition for parents

So to make it clear, for anyone wondering can I bring my parents to USA permanently, this petition is one of the fastest and most reliable paths to family reunification in the U.S.

Although legal and financial requirements are strict, the benefit of learning how to get a Green Card for your parents makes it worth following each step carefully.

This article covered the most important points:

• Citizenship and age requirements.
• Documents needed based on your parents’ situation.
• Step-by-step process and updated costs.
• Expected timelines and sponsor obligations.
• What to do if denied and common FAQs.

Every case is unique. Professional guidance can make the difference between a smooth filing and a process full of obstacles.

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Don’t go through this alone. At Lluis Law, our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles have over 60 years of combined experience helping families like yours reunite in the U.S.

Contact us today to evaluate your case and give your parents the opportunity for a lawful, secure future in this country.