How to Obtain a Green Card For a Parent

How to Obtain a Green Card For a Parent

This article is an overview of how a U.S. citizen can obtain a green cards for his or her parents.

First, in order to obtain a green card for your parents you must be a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old. (Remember, as a U.S. Citizen, while you can help your parents, spouse or children to immigrate to the United States quickly it is much harder to get green cards for your brothers or sisters. You are not able to bring over other relatives such as grand parents and aunts and uncles. These relatives would have to be petitioned by other relatives.)
There are other important things to consider – you must show that you have enough income or assets to support your parents during their stay in the US at a level that is 125% of the US poverty rate – apart from supporting your own family. The reason for this is to ensure that the government is not obliged to provide for your parents once they immigrate to the USA.
Also, it is important to note that your parents can be denied permission to immigrate to the United States and not be given green cards if, among other things, they have criminal convictions in the past in their home countries or elsewhere, have violated immigration norms or carry a disease which is a definite health risk to the public. Also, if they have physical or psychological issues that are dangerous to the public, they will be denied green cards. You should speak to an Immigration Attorney if you have questions in this area.
Typically your parents won’t have to wait long to get green cards since they are immediate relatives.  Wait times change and can vary.   Feel free to contact us about current wait times.
The process for obtaining a green card for your parents is as follows:
First, you will need to fill out a form called the I-130, which is called Petition for Alien Relative. This is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The purpose of this petition is to prove the parent-child relationship that exists between yourself and your parent, as well as your status as a bona fide US citizen.
So, you will be asked for a copy of your naturalization certificate, US passport, and any other proof of citizenship. You will have to submit your birth certificate, documents that prove your parents’ identities and their relationship to you. Remember – always send the copies of these documents, and never the originals, because you won’t get them back. If you want green cards for both, your father and mother, then you should apply for two separate I-130 petitions.
Once the visa petition is approved by the USCIS you will receive an approval notice (this does not mean that the overall case has been approved but only that the USCIS portion of the case has been approved. Your case will be  forwarded by USCIS to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once the NVC is done processing it they will send it to the US consulate in your parents’ country for their visa interview. If the interview goes to plan and no discrepancies are found, their immigrant visa will be approved and they will be given the permission to enter the United States and get their Green Cards so that they can become lawful permanent residents
Lawrence Gruner is a Sacramento Immigration Attorney, a fiancé visa attorney, and a green card attorney.  He would be happy to talk to you, free of charge about your case.  He handles cases in California, the United States and the World.  He may be reached at 916-760-7270 or 888-801-6558.

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    • S. Lucas
      TEMPORARY VISA
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      Our experience was amazing. The process was smooth. Larry and Jason helped us every step of the way to get my husband’s temporary visa. When I started getting anxiety about how long it takes, what’s the next step or what if’s, I would call either of them and they had no problems giving me answers. Jason went with us to our meeting with immigration, and made us laugh the whole time. He really helped keep me calm as I suffer from anxiety very badly. A year later, I can still call Larry and ask questions about the next step. I’m very thankful I found these guys!!! Highly recommend them!

    • L. Alvarado Jr.
      IMMIGRATION LAW
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      I met the love of my life in China. When I was looking for an Immigration attorney to help me get the K1 Visa for my fiance, I was so glad that I found the Law Office Of Lawrence Gruner. Attorney’s Lawrence Gruner and Jason Marachi gave us excellent representation throughout the whole process and got us through the process very quickly and smoothly. It only took six month’s for my fiance to get her K1 Visa and move to the U.S. with me so we could get married and start our lives together. And in another six month’s later, my wife now has her Green Card. I highly recommend this Law Office for your Immigration Law needs.
      Thank you Mr. Gruner and Mr. Marachi!!

    • M. Obregon
      IMMIGRATION LAW
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      Lawrence and his legal team are stellar. They provided an affordable solution to our immigration related legal issues. My wife and I turned to Lawrence and his team from friends that also had a successful experience. Simply, we all agree that it was the right choice. Everything was completed as offered and his legal advice as a lawyer and a friend is always there. Thank You!

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