Bringing a parent to the United States permanently is one of the most meaningful steps a family can take. For U.S. citizens living in San Jose and across California, the path to securing a green card for a parent is well-established, but it requires careful attention to eligibility rules, documentation, and government filing fees. This guide walks through the core requirements, what it costs, and how the process works so your family can plan with confidence.
Who Qualifies to Petition for a Parent’s Green Card?
Only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for a parent’s green card. Lawful permanent residents do not qualify for this category.
Parents of U.S. citizens fall under the “immediate relative” category, which is one of the most favorable immigration classifications available. Unlike other family-based categories, immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa number limits. That means there is no waiting line based on a country-wide quota, which can significantly shorten the overall timeline compared to other green card types.
To qualify as a petitioner, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. The parent you are sponsoring generally must be your biological mother or father, a stepparent whose marriage to your legal parent occurred before you turned 18, or an adoptive parent whose adoption was finalized before you turned 16, subject to additional USCIS requirements and exceptions that may apply to adopted children.
What Are the Main Requirements?
Petitioners must establish U.S. citizenship and the qualifying parent-child relationship, and they generally must submit an Affidavit of Support demonstrating that they meet the applicable financial sponsorship requirements.
The petition process requires documentation from both the petitioner and the parent being sponsored. Key requirements include:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.
- Proof of the parent-child relationship: Birth certificates showing the biological connection, or legal documents establishing a step or adoptive relationship.
- Financial sponsorship: The petitioner generally must file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and demonstrate the required financial support based on the applicable household size and federal poverty guidelines. If the petitioner’s income is insufficient, qualifying assets, certain household-member income, or a joint sponsor may be available to satisfy the requirement.
The parent must also be admissible to the United States. Certain grounds of inadmissibility, such as prior immigration violations, criminal history, or health-related conditions, can affect eligibility and may require a waiver.
How Much Does It Cost?
Government filing fees for a parent’s green card process depend on whether the parent applies from inside or outside the United States. For a parent applying for adjustment of status in the United States, the typical USCIS filing fees include the Form I-130 fee and the Form I-485 fee. For consular processing, the costs include the Form I-130 fee, the immigrant visa application fee, and other applicable fees.
USCIS fees are subject to change, so always verify current amounts at uscis.gov before filing. Current government filing fees include:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $675 for paper filing or $625 for online filing
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if the parent is eligible to adjust status in the United States): $1,440
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application, if the parent is outside the U.S.): $325 per applicant. An additional Affidavit of Support fee may also apply.
Additional costs include the immigration medical examination performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, translation fees for foreign-language documents, and any costs associated with gathering supporting records. If a waiver is required, there may be an additional USCIS filing fee for that application.
How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process
The green card process for parents follows two main tracks: adjustment of status for parents already in the U.S., or consular processing for parents living abroad.
If Your Parent Is Already in the United States
1. File Form I-130 with USCIS to establish the qualifying relationship.
2. File Form I-485 to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident. Because parents of U.S. citizens age 21 or older are immediate relatives and are not subject to numerical visa limitations, Form I-130 and Form I-485 may generally be filed concurrently when the parent is otherwise eligible to adjust status in the United States.
However, being physically present in the United States does not by itself establish eligibility for adjustment of status. For example, the manner in which a parent entered the United States, and certain immigration violations or other grounds of inadmissibility can affect eligibility. Parents should evaluate their individual immigration history before filing Form I-485.
3. Attend a biometrics appointment scheduled by USCIS.
4. Complete the medical examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.
5. Attend the USCIS interview, usually conducted at a local field office. Attend the USCIS interview, if one is scheduled. USCIS determines the appropriate location and provides the interview details in the appointment notice.
If Your Parent Is Outside the United States
1. File Form I-130 with USCIS. Once approved, the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC).
2. Submit the required civil documents, financial evidence, and Affidavit of Support through the National Visa Center’s online system.
3. Complete Form DS-260 and pay the immigrant visa fee.
4. Attend a consular interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your parent’s home country, along with a medical examination by an approved physician.
Processing times vary based on USCIS and consular workloads. Checking current processing time estimates at uscis.gov gives the most accurate picture for each specific form and office.
Common Challenges to Watch For
The I-864 financial requirement trips up many petitioners. If the petitioner’s income or assets are insufficient to meet the financial requirement, a qualifying joint sponsor may generally submit a separate Form I-864. A joint sponsor must meet the applicable eligibility requirements and independently satisfy the financial requirements. Grounds of inadmissibility are another area where families benefit from legal guidance before filing, since some issues require waivers that add time and documentation to the process.
Incomplete applications, missing translations, insufficient supporting evidence, or inconsistencies in the submitted documents can result in a Request for Evidence or other processing delays.
How Yew Immigration Law Group Can Help
At Yew Immigration Law Group, we work with families throughout the San Jose area and across California on family-based immigration matters, including green cards for parents and other immediate relatives. Our team understands how much this process means to the families we serve, and we work to make sure every application is filed correctly and completely from the start.
If you are ready to begin or have questions about where your case stands, contact us to speak with our team. You can also reach us directly at 408-684-6704.
Last updated: September 2026
