How to bring your parents to the United States as a U.S. citizen

One of the most common questions from children who naturalized as U.S. citizens is: "how do I bring my parents?" The good news is that the law favors you: parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, which means there is no annual visa cap and timelines are shorter than other categories.

But there are rules that matter. This guide walks through them.

Basic requirements

To petition for your parents, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (not a permanent resident — residents cannot petition parents).
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Be able to prove the relationship with each parent through a birth certificate.
• Meet the financial requirements of the Affidavit of Support (I-864).

Permanent residents cannot petition parents in any category. Naturalizing quickly is often the real first step toward family reunification.

Two paths depending on where parents are

A. Parents are outside the U.S. (consular processing)

This is the most common path. You file an I-130 — Petition for Alien Relative for each parent.

Steps:

1. File I-130 with USCIS along with the birth certificate, proof of your U.S. citizenship (passport, naturalization or citizenship certificate), and the completed form.
2. USCIS approves the I-130. In 2026 for immediate relatives, this takes 8 to 14 months.
3. The case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC), which requests: I-864 (affidavit of support), civil documents (birth certificate, marriage if applicable, country police clearance), and consular fees.
4. NVC schedules the interview at the consulate in the parents' country of residence.
5. Parents attend the interview, pass the medical exam, and if all is in order receive the immigrant visa.
6. They enter the U.S. with the visa and receive the physical green card by mail within 60-90 days.

Estimated total time: 14 to 24 months.

B. Parents are inside the U.S. (adjustment of status)

If your parents are already in the U.S. and entered legally (even on a tourist visa, parole, etc.) and either kept status or are eligible to adjust, they can do adjustment of status without leaving the country.

Steps:

1. You file I-130 and your parents file I-485 (adjustment) at the same time (concurrent filing).
2. Your parents receive receipts, attend biometrics appointments, and eventually an interview at the nearest USCIS office.
3. If all is well, they receive the green card.

Estimated total time: 10 to 16 months for immediate relatives in 2026.

Special case: if your parents entered without inspection, they generally cannot adjust and must consular process. This can trigger unlawful presence bars requiring an I-601A waiver. Talk to an attorney before making any decision.

Documents you will need

From you (the petitioner):

• Valid U.S. passport or naturalization/citizenship certificate.
• Your birth certificate showing your parents' names.
• If you changed your name: marriage certificate or court order.
• Tax returns (most recent three years).
• Current income proof (W-2, paystubs).

From your parents:

• Valid passport.
• Birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree.
• Country police clearance (for consular processing).
• Medical exam (by an authorized panel physician).
• Passport-style photos.

Financial requirements — Affidavit of Support I-864

USCIS requires the petitioner to show ability to financially support the beneficiary so they will not become a public charge. For 2026, the minimum income is based on 125% of the federal poverty guidelines by household size.

If your income alone is not enough, you can:

• Add your spouse's or an adult household member's income.
• Find a joint sponsor (another legal-status person who signs the I-864 with you).
• Add assets (savings, property) — generally equal to 5 times the income shortfall.

USCIS and consular costs

Typical costs per parent (without attorney fees), approximate for 2026:

• I-130: $675.
• I-485 (if adjusting inside): $1,440 (includes biometrics).
• NVC processing + immigrant visa fee: about $445.
• Medical exam: $200-$500 depending on physician/country.

Common mistakes that delay or deny the case

• Petitioning for a stepparent without documentation showing the marriage to your biological parent occurred before you turned 18.
• Forgetting to list all children on the I-130.
• Insufficient income without a joint sponsor.
• Undisclosed criminal history of the parents.
• Prior irregular U.S. presence by parents that goes unaddressed.

When an attorney makes sense

If the case is simple (parents abroad, no criminal record, you earn enough), many people do it themselves. But it is worth consulting with an attorney if:

• Parents are inside the U.S. with irregular entry.
• There is criminal history anywhere.
• A parent had unlawful presence over 6 months (unlawful presence bars).
• There was a prior fraudulent marriage or prior denial.
• It is a stepparent.

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