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Only a U.S. Citizen who is at
least 21 years old is eligible to petition for his/her parents to become lawful
permanent residents. Lawful permanent residents are not eligible to petition for
his/her parents to become lawful permanent residents.
Overview of
Immigration Process
There is a three-step process
for a parent to become a legal immigrant, unless he/she is already in the U.S.
in lawful status (see Combined Processing below):
- The USCIS must approve an immigrant visa petition (Form
I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) that you file for your parent.
- An immigrant visa must be available based on the date
the immigrant visa application was filed. (Note: Parents are considered
immediate relatives and visas in this category are immediately available.)
- If the parent is outside the U.S. when the visa
petition is approved and when an immigrant visa number (if required) becomes
available, the spouse will be notified by the Department of State’s National
Visa Center to complete the processing for an immigrant visa. If the spouse is
legally inside the U.S. when the visa petition is approved and when an
immigrant visa number (if required) becomes available, he or she may apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful
permanent resident with the appropriate USCIS Regional Service Center.
Combined Processing for
Parents Already in the U.S.
Since a parent is considered
an immediate relative and is immediately eligible for an immigrant visa, the
USCIS allows for Combined Processing this category. This means that if the parent
is legally in the U.S. (through a lawful admission or parole) at the time of
filing the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative,
he/she may also file for adjustment of status
at the same time. Combined Processing is
only available to beneficiaries/applicants who are in the U.S.
The information contained in this web page is intended strictly to be used for information purposes and to educate the public in a general manner. The information contained in this page should not be considered legal advice, legal consultation, expressed or implied representation or a formal or an informal retention of this office. To create a formal attorney-client relationship a retainer must be signed and a fee must be paid to this office. Our response to any of your questions, comments, concerns etc. does not establish an attorney-client relationship. By responding to your questions we do not consider ourselves your attorneys. The response to your questions is strictly informational in nature and should not be considered or used as legal advice in any manner. The information contained on this site is general information on immigration laws and issues. The general information that is included in this web page will not cover the various exceptions and loopholes that are prevalent in the Immigration laws. We hope that our web page will educate you and hopefully enhance your understanding of Immigration laws.
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