As a United States citizen, there are a variety of reasons why you may wish to bring your noncitizen parents to the United States to live and work. Having your parents in close proximity may be important, or perhaps you wish to provide an increased standard of living or better healthcare for your family. Regardless of your motivation, the IR-5 parent visa may be the ideal option for your situation.
Our team of experienced IR-5 visa attorneys has the skill and knowledge necessary to efficiently navigate the visa application process and help your parents successfully immigrate to the United States. Through our compassionate approach and client-centered practice, we are better able to understand your case and guide you through the visa process. To learn more about how we can help, consider scheduling a consultation with our Seattle office at (206) 547-9906 today.
How Can I Help My Parents Immigrate to the United States?
Through the United States family immigration system, it is possible to help your parents immigrate to the United States. If you are a United States citizen, this visa option allows your foreign-born parents to immigrate to the United States as permanent residents. It is important to note that this visa must be granted abroad, meaning your parents cannot already be residing in the United States. There is another option if your parent is already living in the United States. If successful, the IR-5 visa will grant your parents a Green Card to the United States, allowing them to live and work in the country on a permanent basis.
What Is the IR-5 Visa?
An unlimited number of IR-5 parent visas are granted every year, which is unlike other visa options such as the family preference category. It is important to understand that this visa is only available for the parents of United States citizens. If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, you will have to pursue a family preference visa rather than an immediate relative visa.
What Are the Requirements for the IR-5 Visa?
There are specific eligibility requirements that must be met before applying for an IR-5 visa. As the United States citizen sponsor, you must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Possess the ability to financially support your parents until they begin working
- Live in the United States and have a valid United States address
- Have evidence of your relationship with your parents, specifically a birth certificate
If all these requirements are met, then you may qualify for the IR-5 parent visa. Every circumstance is unique, however, and if you have further questions about the eligibility requirements, consider speaking to an experienced immigration attorney.
What Is the Application Process for the IR-5 Visa?
When applying for this immediate relative visa, there are certain documents that must be submitted and tasks that must be completed before the visa can be granted. The steps of the application process for the IR-5 visa include:
- Step 1: You, the United States citizen, will file Form I-130 to establish your relationship with your parent(s). This form is formally referred to as the Petition for Alien Relative. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will receive the form and process it.
- Step 2: After the USCIS approves of the petition, your parent(s) must complete and submit Form DS-260, the Immigrant Visa Application. This form and the relevant supporting evidence will be submitted to the National Visa Center, where it will be reviewed and processed. The National Visa Center may require further documentation and will communicate with your parent(s) if this is the case.
- Step 3: Your parent(s) will receive a notice regarding their visa interview. The interview will take place in the city/country where they live and they will be required to bring specific paperwork with them. This paperwork includes their USCIS appointment letter, an unexpired passport, photographs, and other supporting documents. The supporting documents that are required depend on the circumstances of your birth. An immigration lawyer can provide further information on the specifics of this paperwork.
- Step 4: You and your parent(s) will be informed of whether or not they have been approved for an IR-5 visa. If your parents have been approved, they will be sent a package that cannot be opened until they arrive at a United States entry point, where an immigration official will break the seal and review the documents.
The application process for this immediate relative visa is quite complex, largely due to the supporting documents that are required depending on the circumstances of your parents’ relationship and your birth. Small errors in the application process can result in significant delays or denials of this visa, making it important to take care when compiling all necessary paperwork. Seeking assistance from an experienced immigration attorney can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your application is completed according to legal standards.
What Is the Processing Time for an IR-5 Visa?
The processing time for an IR-5 visa varies from applicant to applicant. On average, the parent visa takes between six months to a year to process. Depending on the country that your parent(s) are applying from, the caseload of the respective embassy or consulate, and the unique circumstances of your case, the processing time may be longer or shorter than average. It is important to manage expectations regarding the processing time for this visa, as it is difficult to predict how long each step will take.
Contact ZafiroLaw Today for Help With Your IR-5 Parent Visa
As a United States citizen and child of foreign-born parents, it is understandable that you wish to help your loved ones immigrate to the United States. At ZafiroLaw, we work diligently to guide families through the IR-5 visa application process. In doing so, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls that applicants encounter during the process. To learn more about how we can help your parents immigrate to the United States through the IR-5 parent visa, consider contacting our Seattle office today at (206) 547-9906.
