How an IR-5 Visa Can Help Your Parents Move to the US

Are you a U.S. citizen, but your parents aren’t? If so, your parents may be eligible for an IR-5 Visa. The IR-5 Visa allows parents of U.S. citizens to enter the United States to visit or reside with their child.

The child must be at least 21 years old to sponsor their parent’s application and they must meet specific financial requirements set by the U.S. government to prove they can support their parent adequately. Additionally, they need a valid U.S. address where they live and be able to provide a valid birth certificate to prove their relationship.

How to Apply for an IR-5 Visa for Parents in the USA

Applying for an IR-5 visa if your parents are already living in the United States requires some key steps.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility for Adjustment of Status

For a noncitizen to adjust status to a lawful permanent resident, the applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S. This means you meet the requirements to be legally in the United States. Additionally, the sponsoring child must meet all the requirements.

Step 2: Gather all the supporting documents

To apply for the IR-5 visa, you’ll need to gather several documents. These include:

• Two passport photographs of the applicant
• Proof of U.S. citizenship of the sponsoring child
• Birth certificate showing proof of relationship between the sponsor and the applicant
• Inspection and admission or inspection and parole documentation of the parent
• Certified police and court records of all arrests, criminal charges, or convictions of the parent

Step 3: The sponsoring child will complete Form I-130 and the parent will complete Form I-485, an application to register permanent residence or adjust status

Both of these forms can have lengthy processing times. However, you can file them concurrently as long as your parent has a valid nonimmigrant visa and is currently in the United States. You’ll also need to pay the fees associated with each form.

Once you submit your forms, you’ll receive a receipt notice within two to three weeks after filing.

If Your Parent Applies Outside the U.S.

Alternatively, your parents may be living in a county other than the United States. If this is the case, after the sponsoring child submits Form I-130, the parent will be asked to fill out Form DS-260, immigrant visa application, and submit documentation proving they are the parent. The National Visa Center (NVC) will receive Form Ds-260 and may ask for additional evidence.

Step 4: Complete and file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support

This form is necessary to demonstrate that the parent has a financial sponsor in the United States. This form must also be accompanied by evidence of the child’s income or financial resources equal to at least 125 percent over the federal poverty guideline for household size.

If the sponsoring child’s income doesn’t meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines, they can submit the value of assets to make up the difference with Form I-864EZ. The total net value of the assets must equal five times the difference between the sponsor’s income and the 125 percent of the poverty level for the household size. Additionally, the assets must be convertible to cash within 12 months from the date of application. If the assets are in another country, they must show they can be relocated to the United States. 

Finally, the sponsor may count non-taxable income (such as a housing allowance) as a part of their salary.

Step 5: Complete Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

The parent must complete an immigration medical examination conducted by a government-authorized doctor. They will review the applicant’s medical history, check for contagious diseases, and review the applicant’s vaccination records. The purpose of the medical examination is to ensure that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.

You could schedule your exam before you begin the application process and submit your medical exam results with your application package. However, the form must be signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before submitting Form I-485. If your medical examination is submitted after your application, the results are valid for two years.

Step 6: Attend Your Green Card Interview

After the applicant’s parent completes all the required documents and forms, it’s time for the interview. The USCIS will schedule an in-person interview at an office near you. The interviews usually last about 30 minutes, during which a USCIS officer will ask questions like:

IR-5 Interview Questions

• What is your relationship with the child?
• Are there any other family members living in the U.S.?
• Have you ever violated any U.S. immigration law?
• If you have had any drug addictions or alcohol addictions or worked as a drug dealer
• If you have any criminal record that could disqualify you from immigrating

The best approach during the interview is to stay composed and be truthful. You can also bring an attorney with you to make sure you provide the right answers.

Once the interview is complete, the officer will decide on your application. If approved, you will receive a green card in the mail. You may also be required to attend a biometrics appointment if needed.

Step 7: Receive Your Green Card

If your application is approved, USCIS will mail you a green card within 90 days of your interview and your completed fee payments. The green card will allow you to live and work in the U.S. lawfully for as long as you are following immigration laws and regulations. You can also apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of residence in the U.S. if eligible.

Remember that the IR-5 visa process takes time and requires a lot of paperwork and evidence. Make sure you are following all the guidelines and providing all necessary documents to avoid any delays.

How to Prove the Parental Relationship for an Immigration Visa for Parents

1. If the mother is applying, the sponsoring child needs a birth certificate showing the sponsoring child’s name and the mother’s name.
2. If the father is applying, the sponsoring child should provide a birth certificate with both parents’ names and a copy of their parent’s marriage certificate.
3. In the case that the father is applying and the child was born out of wedlock and not legally recognized by their father before the child’s 18th birthday, the sponsoring child will need to provide a birth certificate showing their father’s name and evidence that an emotional or financial bond existed between the child and the father before they were 21.
4. If the father is applying and the child was born out of wedlock, but the father was later married to the mother, then the sponsoring child should provide a birth certificate with their name and their parents’ marriage certificate.
5. If the sponsoring child is bringing a stepparent to the U.S., they should submit a copy of the birth certificate showing the names of their birth parents, a copy of the marriage certificate between a birth parent and the stepparent, and divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment decrees to show that any previous marriage ended legally.
6. If the sponsoring child wants to bring adoptive parents to the U.S., they need to provide a birth certificate, a certified copy of the adoption certificate showing the adoption took place before the child’s 16th birthday, and a statement showing the sponsoring child lived with their adoptive parents.

IR-5 Visa Processing Time

The processing time will vary based on your field office or service center.

For example, as of December 2022, if you are a U.S. citizen filing an I-130 for a parent using the California Service Center, you can expect it to take ten months. If you are using the Vermont Service Center, you can expect it to take 16 months on average.

For Form I-485, you can expect a processing time of 23 months on average. However, the processing times vary greatly: Baltimore is 49 months, and in Yakima, Washington, it’s 21.5 months.

You can use the USCIS Processing Times calculator to determine what to expect for your case and location.

What is the Cost of an IR-5 Visa?

You’ll have to pay processing fees for several different forms and steps in the application process, including:

• Form I-130 – $535
• DS-260 (if applicable) -$325
• Form I-864 – $120
• Form I-485 – $1,140
• Biometrics Fees – $85
• USCIS Immigrant Fee (if applicable) – $220
• Medical examinations and required vaccinations (costs vary)

Other costs could include translators, photocopying, obtaining official documents like birth certificates, passports, police certificates, and travel expenses for the interview. Overall, the cost of an IR-5 visa can total several thousand dollars. Make sure you understand all the costs associated with your application before filing and track application deadlines to prevent any delays or denials.

Why Should You Hire an Attorney to Help with an IR-5 Visa?

Hiring an attorney to help with the IR-5 visa process can be beneficial. An attorney will have specialized knowledge of immigration law and procedures, as well as experience with complex cases. They can guide you through all necessary steps and ensure that your forms are in order and that you understand all requirements for successfully completing the application.

Additionally, an attorney can help you gather the necessary documents and provide legal advice on problems such as criminal records or problems with prior applications. They can also represent you at your interview and in any appeal hearings.

Having an experienced attorney by your side can make a big difference in the success of your application for an IR-5 visa. It’s worth taking the time to find an attorney who will be able to provide you with the best legal representation and advice for your case.

Scott D. Pollock and Associates Are Experts at Family Immigration

Scott D. Pollock and Associates is an immigration law firm with an expert staff. We have over 30 years of experience navigating the complexities of family immigration cases and we are passionate about helping families reunite. Our experienced attorneys understand the importance of this process to our clients. They will work diligently to ensure you have all the information and resources you need to get the results you seek.

We provide personalized attention from start to finish, keeping you updated every step of the way. When it comes to family immigration cases, trust our experienced professionals at Scott D. Pollock & Associates for reliable and effective legal representation. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment. Reach us by filling out an online form.

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