Sponsor Your Parent for a U.S. Green Card
As a U.S. citizen, you have the privilege of sponsoring your parents for lawful permanent residence (green card). But navigating the process can be complex — that’s where My USA Immigration and Attorney Oksana Sakhniuk step in to guide you with clarity, compassion, and expertise.
We proudly serve clients in English, Russian, and Ukrainian and help families across the U.S. and worldwide. With a stellar track record and excellent reviews, we’re here to treat your case with priority, not as just another file.
To be eligible for green card, your parents will need to provide a proof of existence of legitimate family relationship:
- Biological parents. If you want to bring your biological parents to live in the U.S., you will need to provide a birth certificate listing names of your parents and name of the U.S. citizen on it.
- Adoptive parents. If you want to bring your adoptive parents to live in the U.S., you will need to provide a certified copy of the adoption certificate showing that the adoption took place before the U.S. citizen reached 16th birthday.
- Step-parents. If you want to bring your step-parent to live in the United States, you will need to provide a copy of the civil marriage certificate of your birth parent to your step-parent showing that the marriage occurred before your 18th birthday.
How to Bring Parents to the United States?
There are two possible scenarios for parents of the U.S. citizens to apply for a green card:
- Your parents are IN the United States.
If your parent gained legal entry into the U.S. through a visa, then later decided to apply for a green card, he or she is eligible to adjust their status to permanent residents by filing immigration petitions with USCIS and paying the necessary fees.
A large percentage of immigrants incorrectly think that brining parents to the U.S. on a tourist visa and adjusting their status here in the U.S. is the easiest and fastest way to get a green card for their parents. However, doing so can be dangerous and can cause additional immigration problems. In some cases, the fastest way to bring your parents to the U.S. may not be the best. The misuse of the tourist visa, visa waiver, or some other visa as a way of gaining U.S. entry with original intent to apply for a green card could lead to denial of your immigration petition based on visa fraud. See an example of visa misrepresentation below:
Parents of the U.S. citizen who reside in Ukraine, applied for travel visa with the U.S. consulate. During the interview, they told the U.S. consul that the main purpose of their trip to the U.S. is to visit their grandchildren and children in New York. Nonetheless, the parents original intention was to come to the U.S. to reconcile with their children and apply for a green card. In a similar situation parents of the U.S. citizen were already issued a tourist visa. They used their valid tourist visa to come the U.S. to reconcile with their children and apply for green card in the U.S. At the port of entry, they said to Customs and Border Protection officer that they came to the U.S. to visit their children and grandchildren.
The parents misrepresentation and fraud made during the interview and on the customs border can significantly hurt their application for green card in the U.S. and in some cases will make them inadmissible to adjust status or enter the U.S. Therefore, you will need to talk to an immigration attorney before adjusting your parents non-immigrant status to ensure absence of issues that can trigger delay or denial of your immigration petition
- Your parents are OUTSIDE the United States.
In this case, the process of bringing your parents to the U.S. will start from filing a Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS by the U.S. citizen. After USCIS approves the petition, it will be sent to the National Visa Center. The National Visa Center will send instructions to submit appropriate fee and information package "Packet 3" to the U.S. citizen. Once the National Visa Center determines the file is complete with all the required documents, they will schedule an interview appointment. National Visa Center then sends the file, containing immigration petition and supporting documents, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the parents will be interviewed for a visa. At the port of entry the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will stamp your parents’ passports with temporary Form I-551 (green card) evidencing their lawful permanent resident status. Their actual green card will be mailed lately at the mailing address that was provided by the U.S. citizen.
Why Work With Us for Sponsoring Your Parent
- ✅ Attorney-led review — your parent’s case handled or overseen by experienced attorneys
- ✅ Multilingual support in English, Russian, and Ukrainian — no language barrier
- ✅ Proven track record and excellent reviews from families in the U.S. and abroad
- ✅ Transparent pricing, detailed guidance, and personalized support every step
- ✅ We treat your case with care, not just paperwork — you won’t feel like a number
- ✅ Deep knowledge of parent petition laws — we’ve helped many parents come home
- ✅ Tailored strategy: adjustment of status or consular processing depending on your parent's circumstances
- ✅ Direct access to attorney — no “middleman” delays or miscommunication
- ✅ We handle the complex parts: form planning, evidence selection, responding to RFEs, and interview prep
- ✅ Serving families worldwide — whether your parent is in Ukraine, Mexico, India, Russia, or right here in the U.S.
- ✅ Trusted by U.S., Russian & Ukrainian communities for years — known for compassionate, results-driven service
- ✅ Clear communication and regular updates — you’re always informed about your case status
Frequently Asked Questions About Sponsoring Parents for a Green Card
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor their parent for a green card?
Yes. U.S. citizens age 21 or older may file Form I‑130 to support their parent’s application for permanent residency.
How long does it take to sponsor a parent?
Processing typically ranges from 12 to 24 months, depending on location, consulate backlog, and how well the case is prepared.
What forms are required for sponsoring a parent?
You’ll need to file I‑130, possibly I‑485 (if your parent is in the U.S.), handle consular DS‑260 paperwork, and submit the I‑864 Affidavit of Support.
Can I sponsor a parent if they’re unlawfully in the U.S.?
Such cases are complex and may require waivers or legal strategy. We evaluate eligibility and guide you through possible legal paths.
What evidence is needed to prove the parent-child relationship?
Required evidence usually includes birth certificates, adoption papers, legal name changes, and proof of your U.S. citizenship.
Do you provide services in Russian and Ukrainian?
Yes. Attorney Oksana Sakhniuk and her team are fluent in both, making our services accessible for clients from Eastern Europe.
Start Your Parent Sponsorship Process Today
Your parents deserve to be here. We can help make it happen.
Please contact us or schedule a consultation to begin. We walk this journey together.