How long does it take to get a green card for my parents (IR-5)?
TL;DR: In 2026, sponsoring a parent's green card (IR-5, immediate relative category) takes roughly 12 to 24 months from filing Form I-130 to visa issuance: about 7-12 months for USCIS to approve the I-130, 2-4 months for National Visa Center document review, then a consular interview wait that ranges from a few weeks to 6 months depending on the embassy. Only US citizens age 21 or older can petition for a parent — green card holders cannot.
The claim
Parent green cards move faster than almost any other family category because IR-5 is an "immediate relative" classification with no annual quota and no priority-date backlog.
The evidence
Parents of US citizens fall under IR-5, one of the "immediate relative" categories (along with spouses IR-1/CR-1 and unmarried children under 21, IR-2) that Congress exempted from the numerical visa caps that create years-long waits in the F1-F4 family preference categories. As of 2026, the Form I-130 filing fee is $625 if filed online or $675 on paper. Multiple immigration-law sources report NVC processing cases within roughly 5-11 business days of receiving them from USCIS in mid-2026, and total IR-5 timelines of 12-24 months from I-130 filing to visa issuance are consistently reported across immigration-law trackers monitoring 2026 case data.
IR-5 vs other family-based categories
| Category | Who it covers | Annual cap | Typical wait (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR-5 | Parent of US citizen (21+) | None (immediate relative) | 12-24 months |
| IR-1/CR-1 | Spouse of US citizen | None (immediate relative) | 12-18 months |
| F3 | Married child of US citizen | Capped | Several years (priority-date backlog) |
| F4 | Sibling of US citizen | Capped | 10+ years (priority-date backlog) |
Step-by-step: the IR-5 process
- US citizen petitioner (21 or older) files Form I-130 for each parent, paying the $625 (online) or $675 (paper) fee.
- USCIS approves the I-130 — averaging roughly 7-12 months in 2026 for parent petitions.
- The case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC), which reviews it within days to weeks and requests civil documents, the DS-260 immigrant visa application, and the affidavit of support (Form I-864).
- NVC schedules the case for an interview once documents are complete — this stage typically runs 2-4 months.
- The parent completes a medical exam and attends the immigrant visa interview at the US embassy or consulate.
- If approved, the visa is issued and the parent enters the US as a permanent resident, receiving their physical green card by mail within weeks.
FAQ
Can a green card holder (not a citizen) petition for their parents? No. Only US citizens can file an IR-5 petition for a parent. Green card holders can only petition for a spouse or unmarried children, not parents.
Do parents need a minimum income or job offer? No job offer is needed, but the petitioning citizen must file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) showing income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guideline for their household size, or find a joint sponsor who does.
Is there a waiting list or quota for IR-5? No. IR-5 is an immediate relative category, so there is no annual numerical cap and no priority-date backlog — the only wait is processing time.
Can my parent stay in the US while the case is pending if they are already here on a visitor visa? It depends on their current status and whether they maintain lawful status; overstaying a B-2 visitor visa while an I-130 is pending does not automatically protect them, so timing and legal advice matter.
Does age matter for the petitioning citizen? Yes. The US citizen son or daughter must be at least 21 years old to file an I-130 for a parent.
See also: /answers/i130-spouse-processing-time-2026 and /answers/how-to-read-us-visa-bulletin.
By Pinal Dave Last updated: 2026-07-30