<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="family-visas" data-vt-code="IR-5"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/family-visas">Family</a><span>›</span><span>IR-5</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Immigrant</span><span>Immediate relative</span><span>No annual cap</span><span>Form I-130</span><span>Petitioner 21+</span></div> <h1><span>IR-5</span> Parent of a U.S. Citizen</h1> <p class="vt-lede">An immigrant visa for the mother, father, stepparent or adoptive parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: USCIS · Department of State</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/ir-5">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">After arrival</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">After you arrive</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>Who files</dt><dd>U.S. citizen son or daughter, 21 or older</dd></div><div><dt>Petitions needed</dt><dd>One I-130 per parent</dd></div><div><dt>Visa numbers</dt><dd>Always available (immediate relative)</dd></div><div><dt>Petition fee</dt><dd><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$675 paper / $625 online</a></dd></div><div><dt>Visa fee</dt><dd><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$325</a></dd></div><div><dt>Green Card</dt><dd>10-year card on admission</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>Entry restrictions for 39 nationalities.</strong> Under <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proclamation 10998</a> (effective Jan. 1, 2026), immigrant entry is suspended for nationals of all 39 listed countries and for Palestinian Authority travel-document holders, and family members of people in the United States are no longer a categorical exception. Remaining exceptions include dual nationals travelling on a non-listed country’s passport and case-by-case national-interest exceptions; the proclamation applies to people outside the United States without a valid visa on the effective date. A separate State Department pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries (from Jan. 21, 2026) is, per the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department</a>, no longer in effect as of Aug. 21, 2026 following the court’s order in CLINIC v. Rubio.</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">Parents of adult U.S. citizens are immediate relatives. Only a citizen who is at least 21 can file; permanent residents cannot petition for parents at all (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-parents-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>).</p> <p class="b">Each parent is a separate principal beneficiary, so a citizen bringing both parents files two I-130s. A parent’s other children (the petitioner’s siblings) are not derivatives; siblings of U.S. citizens immigrate through the F4 category.</p> <p class="b">Stepparents qualify if the marriage creating the relationship took place before the petitioner’s 18th birthday, and adoptive parents qualify if the adoption took place before the petitioner’s 16th birthday.</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">The petitioner must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years old.</li><li>Prove the parent-child relationship: a birth certificate naming the parent; for a father, the parents’ marriage certificate, or evidence of legitimation before 18 or of a bona fide relationship before the petitioner turned 21 or married.</li><li>For a stepparent: the marriage occurred before the petitioner turned 18. For an adoptive parent: adoption before 16 and evidence of living together.</li><li>File Form I-864 and meet 125% of the poverty guidelines (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$27,050</a> for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, effective March 1, 2026), using assets or a joint sponsor if needed.</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">Status</th><td>Lawful permanent resident on admission</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Green Card</th><td>10-year card, renewable</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Work</th><td>Authorized on admission; the I-551 stamp is evidence until the card arrives</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Naturalization</th><td>Generally after 5 years as a permanent resident</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">USCIS fees from the 10/01/26 fee schedule; State Department fees from 22 CFR 22.1.</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-130 petition</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$675 paper / $625 online</a></td><td>U.S. citizen</td><td>One petition per beneficiary.</td></tr> <tr><td>Immigrant visa application fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$325</a></td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Immediate relative and family preference applications, 22 CFR 22.1 item 32(a); paid through the National Visa Center.</td></tr> <tr><td>Affidavit of Support review</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$120</a></td><td>Sponsor</td><td>Charged only when the I-864 is reviewed domestically (22 CFR 22.1 item 34).</td></tr> <tr><td>USCIS Immigrant Fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$235</a></td><td>Immigrant</td><td>Paid online after visa issuance; the Green Card is not produced until it is paid.</td></tr> <tr><td>Panel-physician medical exam</td><td class="amt">Varies</td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Paid directly to the panel physician.</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-485 (if in the U.S.)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,440 paper / $1,390 online</a></td><td>Beneficiary</td><td>Instead of the visa and Immigrant Fee; $950/$900 for a child under 14 filing with a parent. Only the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-485" target="_blank" rel="noopener">09/18/26 edition</a> is accepted for filings on or after Sept. 18, 2026.</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">The Visa Integrity Fee in Public Law 119-21 applies only to nonimmigrant visas.</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>Visa number wait</dt><dd>None</dd><dd class="n">Parents of adult citizens are immediate relatives.</dd></div></dl> <p class="b">I-130 times vary; see <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">egov.uscis.gov/processing-times</a>.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">File Form I-130</div><div class="tx">File one petition per parent with proof of citizenship, age and relationship.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">National Visa Center</div><div class="tx">Pay the $325 visa fee per parent and submit DS-260, civil documents and Form I-864.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">Medical exam and interview</div><div class="tx">Each parent attends a panel-physician exam and consular interview.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Immigrant Fee and travel</div><div class="tx">Pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee per parent and enter on the immigrant visa.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Green Card</div><div class="tx">USCIS mails the Green Card; a parent already in the U.S. after inspection may instead file Form I-485 concurrently with the I-130.</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>From the U.S. citizen</h3><ul><li><span>Birth certificate naming the parent (and, for a father, the parents’ marriage certificate or legitimation/bona fide relationship evidence).</span></li><li><span>Certificate of naturalization or citizenship, or U.S. passport, if not born in the U.S.</span></li><li><span>Proof of any legal name changes.</span></li><li><span>Form I-864 with tax and income evidence.</span></li></ul></div><div><h3>From the parent</h3><ul><li><span>Passport, birth certificate, marriage and divorce records, police certificates, and the panel physician’s medical report.</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">None. Each parent needs a separate petition, and the petitioner’s siblings must use the F4 category.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">After you arrive</h2> <p class="b">IR-5 parents are unconditional permanent residents from the day they are admitted.</p> <div class="vt-gsteps"><div><div class="k">Step 1</div><div class="tt">Receive the card</div><div class="tx">Mailed after the Immigrant Fee is paid.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 2</div><div class="tt">Sponsor obligation</div><div class="tx">Under the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-864instr.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form I-864 instructions</a>, the support obligation lasts until the parent becomes a citizen, can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work, or ceases to be a permanent resident, or until the sponsor or the parent dies.</div></div></div> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/f4"><div class="c">F4</div><div class="n">Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">For the petitioner’s siblings.</div></a><a href="/visa/ir-1"><div class="c">IR-1</div><div class="n">Spouse of a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">Immediate-relative visa for spouses.</div></a><a href="/visa/b-2"><div class="c">B-2</div><div class="n">Visitor for pleasure</div><div class="tx">For temporary family visits.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>Can a Green Card holder sponsor parents?</summary><p>No. Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can petition for parents.</p></details><details><summary>Do both parents need separate petitions?</summary><p>Yes. Each parent is a separate beneficiary and needs a separate I-130, visa fee and Immigrant Fee.</p></details><details><summary>Can my parents bring my younger siblings?</summary><p>No. Siblings are not derivatives of an IR-5; a citizen 21 or older can file for siblings in the F4 category, and once the parent is a permanent resident the parent may file a new petition for a qualifying child (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-parents-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>).</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-parents-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Bringing Parents to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-130" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · I-130, Petition for Alien Relative</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · 9 FAM 502.2 — Family-Based IV Classifications</span><span>fam.state.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/01/26)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 22 CFR 22.1 — Schedule of fees for consular services</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>White House</strong> · Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals</span><span>whitehouse.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Aug 31, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>New Form I-864 edition (08/24/26) required from Oct. 1, 2026.</strong> USCIS published a new edition of the Affidavit of Support with a credit-report privacy release. After a 30-day grace period, USCIS accepts only the 08/24/26 edition for filings postmarked or submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2026. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-864" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 24, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Court enjoins USCIS adjudication holds for nationals of 39 countries.</strong> In Red Eagle Law v. Edlow (N.D. Cal.), the court enjoined PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194 and certified a class; USCIS says it will adjudicate covered applications in the normal course while litigation continues. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/recent-court-order-on-hold-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 21, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>75-country immigrant visa issuance pause no longer in effect.</strong> The State Department paused immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries from Jan. 21, 2026, citing public-charge review. Following the court’s order in CLINIC v. Rubio, the State Department says the pause is no longer in effect as of Aug. 21, 2026. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jul 20, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>DHS rescinds the 2022 public charge rule (effective Sept. 18, 2026).</strong> Final rule restoring broader officer discretion in public charge determinations. It applies to applications for admission made, and adjustment applications postmarked or submitted, on or after Sept. 18, 2026. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14539/public-charge-ground-of-inadmissibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 5, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Court vacates USCIS hold policies on pending applications.</strong> In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS (D.R.I.), the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA-2025-26 (final judgment June 11, 2026). USCIS says it will follow the order pending possible further review. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/court-order-on-hold-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Dec 16, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions to 39 countries (effective Jan. 1, 2026).</strong> Suspends immigrant entry for nationals of every listed country and removes the broad family-based immigrant visa exception that Proclamation 10949 had contained; remaining exceptions are narrow, plus case-by-case national-interest exceptions. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 1, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>USCIS family-based petition guidance.</strong> Policy Manual update on screening, interviews and decisions for family-based petitions; clarifies that USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear if a beneficiary is otherwise removable, because an I-130 grants no status. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-regarding-family-based-immigration-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 4, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from 19 countries (effective June 9, 2025).</strong> Originally exempted immediate-relative immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of the relationship, and adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4). Those exceptions were superseded by Proclamation 10998. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Apr 1, 2024</span><div class="x"><strong>USCIS fee rule takes effect.</strong> The fee schedule final rule (89 FR 6194, published Jan. 31, 2024) set current family-based fees, including separate online and paper fees for Form I-130 and folding biometrics into the filing fees. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/31/2024-01427/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/ir-5">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Family", "item": "https://visatypes.com/family-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "IR-5", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/ir-5"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Can a Green Card holder sponsor parents?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "No. Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can petition for parents."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Do both parents need separate petitions?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. 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