IR-5 Visa: Bringing Parents of U.S. Citizens to the United States
The IR-5 (Immediate Relative) visa allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their foreign-born parents for permanent residency (Green Card) in the United States. Unlike family preference visas, the IR-5 visa has no annual cap, allowing eligible parents to immigrate without long waiting periods.
What is the IR-5 Visa?
The IR-5 visa is a family-based immigrant visa that allows U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to sponsor their parents for a Green Card. Parents can live, work, and travel freely in the United States as permanent residents upon approval.
Unlike family preference visas, the IR-5 visa is not subject to numerical limitations, making the process faster and more straightforward
IR-5 Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an IR-5 visa, the following conditions must be met:
- Petitioner’s Status: The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older.
- Proof of Relationship: The applicant must be the biological, step, or adoptive parent of the U.S. citizen.
- Financial Support: The U.S. citizen must meet minimum income requirements to support their parent.
- Intent to Reside in the U.S: The parent must intend to live permanently in the United States.
Required Documents for the IR-5 Visa
- Valid passport (with at least six months’ validity beyond entry date).
- USCIS-approved Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) confirmation page.
- Birth certificate or adoption records proving relationship.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, for step-parents).
- Police clearance certificate from all countries of residence.
- Medical examination results from an approved physician.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and financial evidence.
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IR-5 Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an IR-5 visa, the following conditions must be met:
File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
The U.S. citizen petitioner must submit Form I-130 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate).
- Proof of relationship (parent’s birth certificate, marriage certificate, or adoption records)
USCIS Processing & Approval
Once Form I-130 is approved, USCIS sends the case to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
Pay Fees & Submit Supporting Documents
- Pay the visa processing fee and Affidavit of Support fee.
- Submit Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to show financial ability to support the parent.
- Provide civil documents such as passports, marriage certificates, and police records.
Complete Form DS-260 & Attend Interview
- Complete Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) online.
- Parents must undergo a medical examination by an approved physician.
- Attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
Visa Issuance & U.S. Entry
- If approved, parents receive an IR-5 visa and can travel to the U.S..
- Upon arrival, they receive a Green Card and become lawful permanent residents.
Processing Time for the IR-5 Visa
The IR-5 visa process typically takes 12 to 18 months, depending on:
- USCIS processing times for Form I-130.
- NVC document review and scheduling of the visa interview.
- Administrative processing or additional document requests.
- Since the IR-5 visa is an immediate relative visa, there are no waiting lists, making processing faster than preference-based family visas.