The IR-5 visa is an immigrant visa that allows a U.S. citizen to sponsor their parent for lawful permanent residency in the United States. As part of the immediate relative category, the IR-5 visa is prioritized, meaning there are no annual visa limits, and the parent can receive quicker processing compared to other family-based immigration categories. To start the process, the U.S. citizen child, who must be at least 21 years old, files a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Rela-tive, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the qualifying rela-tionship. Once USCIS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
After the NVC receives the approved petition, the foreign parent will need to submit additional documentation, such as proof of the family relationship (e.g., birth certificate), and complete the Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application. The parent must also undergo a medical ex-amination by an approved physician to meet the health requirements for U.S. entry. Once all documents are submitted and processed, the parent will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, where a consular officer will review the ap-plication and assess the parent’s eligibility for the IR-5 visa.
If the consular officer approves the application, the IR-5 visa will be issued, allowing the parent to travel to the U.S. as a permanent resident. Upon arrival in the U.S., the parent will receive their Green Card by mail. It is important to note that the IR-5 visa is only available to parents of U.S. citizens, and the sponsoring child must be 21 or older. The process can be complex, with strict documentation requirements, so seeking legal guidance is often recommended to help navigate the steps and ensure a smooth and successful application.
