U.S. citizens have the right to sponsor their parents to immigrate to the United States. This category is known as IR5. The IR5 visa falls under the immediate relative category and is therefore not subject to annual visa quotas. After approval by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the parent sponsorship petition will be forwarded to the National Visa Center for further processing and then sent to the U.S. Consulate in the country where the parents reside.
Parent sponsorship, officially known as the IR5 category under the immediate relative classification, is a family-based immigration program that allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their parents for permanent residence in the United States. Unlike other categories that must wait for visa quotas, the immediate relative category is not subject to annual numerical limits, which significantly shortens waiting time.
Not everyone is eligible to file a parent sponsorship petition. According to regulations of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS, only U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old have the right to sponsor their parents.
This means:
For more information: Parent sponsoring child to the United States in detail from First Consulting Group
In addition to proof of a biological relationship, completing the financial sponsorship requirement is mandatory in the parent sponsorship process. Specifically, the sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support Form I-864 or I-864A to ensure the sponsored parent has stable financial support and does not become a burden on the U.S. public welfare system.
Minimum Income Requirement: The sponsor’s annual income must generally be at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, adjusted based on household size and state of residence.
If income is insufficient, the child may apply the following alternative options:
Important Note: The Affidavit of Support Form I-864 is a legally binding document. The sponsor is financially responsible for supporting the parent and may be sued if the parent receives certain government public benefits. This obligation remains in effect until the sponsored parent becomes a U.S. citizen or accumulates 40 qualifying quarters of work, which is generally equivalent to approximately 10 years of employment.
The process of sponsoring parents to immigrate to the United States goes through 5 main steps, each with its own requirements regarding documents, processing time, and fees. Understanding each stage helps you prepare better and avoid mistakes that may cause delays.
The sponsor submits Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) together with proof of U.S. citizenship and evidence of the parent-child relationship to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Receipt notice: After filing (4–6 weeks), you will receive a Receipt Notice. If you file online, this notice will appear immediately in your personal account.
Processing time: The review process usually takes about 12–17 months. During this time, you can track your case status online using your receipt number.
Petition results:
Important note: During this period, you should regularly check your receipt number on the USCIS online system to promptly respond to any requests.
Documents required at this step:
After USCIS approval, the case will be transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) within approximately 4 weeks. After that, the NVC will issue a case number to log into the online system. At this stage, you must complete the visa processing fees and the Affidavit of Support review fee.
Submit Documents Online to NVC
This is the most important stage. You must upload the following documents to the system:
Documents the Petitioner Must Submit to NVC:
Review and Case Qualification:
After submission, NVC will review the scanned documents. If everything is complete and valid, the case will be marked as Documentarily Qualified (DQ) and scheduled for transfer to the U.S. Consulate in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi).
NVC Processing Time: Currently, the average NVC review time is approximately 2–3 months.
Note: This timeframe is not fixed and may be longer or shorter depending on the actual case volume at the National Visa Center, the quality of the submitted documents (whether additional evidence is requested), and the latest updates from the U.S. Department of State.
After receiving the interview appointment letter, parents must schedule vaccinations and a medical examination at a medical facility designated by the U.S. Consulate. This is a mandatory step and must be completed before the interview date.
The beneficiary must attend an interview at the U.S. Consulate. Parents must bring their passport, interview appointment letter, and all required documents, including proof of the parent–child relationship.
The purpose of the interview is to verify that the parent–child relationship is genuine and that there is no fraud for immigration purposes. The interview is conducted in Vietnamese with the assistance of an interpreter, focusing on confirming the relationship and the intent to immigrate.
Common Interview Questions for Parent Sponsorship Cases:
Documents to Bring to the Consular Interview:
After the interview, you will be informed whether the visa is approved. If the consular officer keeps your passport, it means your visa has been approved. The immigrant visa will be stamped in your passport and returned to you within a few days.
After receiving the visa, parents must pay the $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee online to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Your immigrant visa is valid for 6 months. Therefore, you should arrange your flight and enter the United States before the visa expires.
The Green Card will be issued within approximately 2–3 months after you enter the U.S., depending on the timing. From the moment of entry, the sponsored parent becomes a lawful permanent resident. You have the right to work, study, and travel in and out of the United States without applying for another visa.
If you change your address before receiving your Green Card, you must notify USCIS.
Currently, the total processing time for an IR5 parent sponsorship case is approximately 18–24 months from filing Form I-130 until the interview at the U.S. Consulate.
However, this timeline is not fixed and may be longer or shorter depending on various factors such as the volume of cases being processed at USCIS and NVC, the completeness of the submitted documents, the petitioner’s place of residence, and any changes in immigration laws.
The process is generally divided into the following stages:
Many people misunderstand the parent sponsorship visa. The IR-5 immigrant visa does not have a 5-year or 10-year validity like a tourist visa. It is a single-entry visa that must be used to enter the U.S. within 6 months from the date of issuance.
After entering the U.S., parents will receive a permanent Green Card valid for 10 years. The card can be renewed every 10 years, while permanent resident status remains valid as long as residency requirements are maintained.
Note: To maintain permanent resident status, parents should not stay outside the U.S. for more than 6 consecutive months. If they need to stay in Vietnam for an extended period of time (more than 6 months and under 2 years), they must apply for a Re-entry Permit before leaving the U.S. to protect their immigration status.
No. Under U.S. immigration law, once a person has been legally adopted, the legal relationship with their biological parents is considered fully terminated.
You may file for both parents, but each parent is considered a separate case. Each parent requires a separate Form I-130 and separate filing fees. However, you may submit both petitions at the same time to save processing time.
The U.S. Consulate in Vietnam provides interpreters for interviews conducted in Vietnamese. Parents do not need to worry about language barriers; they only need to answer questions honestly about their relationship with their child and their intention to immigrate.
Generally, parents may apply for U.S. citizenship after holding a Green Card for 5 years. However, to qualify, they must meet the following requirements.
Physical Presence Requirement
They must be physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months in total within the 5-year period and must not have taken any single trip outside the U.S. lasting more than 6 consecutive months. This ensures they are genuinely residing in and integrating into U.S. society.
Good Moral Character
They must not violate U.S. laws or have a criminal record during their period of residence. USCIS will carefully review their background before approving the application.
English and Civics Test Requirements
This is often the biggest concern for older parents. However, U.S. immigration law provides certain exemptions from the English test based on age and length of permanent residence.
Note: Even if exempt from the English test, applicants must still take the civics test unless they qualify for a medical disability exemption. You should carefully review eligibility requirements or consult an immigration attorney for personalized advice before applying for naturalization.
It is not required during the visa stage. However, parents should prepare health insurance as soon as possible after arrival because medical costs in the U.S. are extremely high and there is no universal free healthcare system.
Sponsoring parents to immigrate to the U.S. is an opportunity to reunite families. With careful preparation of documents, financial planning, and a clear understanding of each step, you can help your parents receive their Green Card and begin a new life in the United States.
However, each case has unique circumstances. Small documentation errors, insufficient relationship evidence, or failure to meet financial requirements can lead to delays or denials. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help reduce risks and maximize approval chances.
First Consulting Group FCG With over 23 years of experience in U.S. immigration law, our team of attorneys and specialists has assisted thousands of Vietnamese families in successfully immigrating to the United States. We understand immigration laws thoroughly, stay updated on the latest regulations, and have experience handling complex cases.
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Disclaimer The information in this article is for reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Processing times and regulations may change at the time of application. For personalized advice, please contact First Consulting Group directly.
The U.S. immigration process can be intricate, involving detailed legal requirements and procedures. To better address your unique situation, please provide your contact details to arrange a personalized consultation. A member of First Consulting Group’s dedicated team will contact you during business hours to offer expert guidance.
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