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What age can a U.S. citizen filed for parents?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 20, 2026

A U.S. citizen filing a petition on behalf of a parent must be at least 21 years of age.

How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a parent?

If your parents have entered the US lawfully and are currently living in the US then the process takes about 12 months once you submit: An I-130 Visa Petition for each parent. Proof of your US Citizenship. Evidence that they are your parents (Your birth certificate, their marriage certificate, etc.)

At what age can a U.S. citizen petition parents?

American citizens over the age of 21 can petition their parents (mother, father, or both) to succeed in living in the United States.

Can parents get US citizenship through my child?

The short answer to the “Can I get a green card through my child?” question is “yes” – but there are some caveats. The most difficult limitation is the child's age. Only parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old will be considered “immediate relatives” that are eligible for a green card right away.

How do I apply for citizenship if my child is under 18?

If you are the U.S. citizen parent of a minor child, you can help your child get a certificate of citizenship. You need to fill out and file Form N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship. If your child is over 18, they need to sign the form themselves.

30 related questions found

Can an 18 year old apply for citizenship?

Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen. In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can I bring my parents to USA permanently?

If you are a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old, you are eligible to petition to bring your parents to live and work permanently in the United States. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you are not eligible to petition to bring your parents to live and work permanently in the United States.

How a U.S. citizen can apply for parents?

As a U.S. citizen, you must file a separate petition for each one of your direct relatives, including your own children. For example: To sponsor your mother and father, file a separate petition for each. If they have other children—your brothers and sisters—file a separate petition for each of them.

Can I fix my parents papers at 18?

Answer: If you are 18, then you cannot petition for your parents. US citizens must be 21 or older to file immigrant visa petitions for their parents.

Can I petition my son over 21?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may be able to petition for your foreign-born children who are married or age 21 or older (referred to as "sons or daughters" by U.S. immigration law) to immigrate to the U.S. and receive lawful permanent residence (green cards).

How long does it take to get a green card for parents 2022?

It takes between 6 months and 15 months to get a Green Card for Parents after form I-130 is approved. Form I-130 can take between 5-26.5 months to be approved, depending on the service center.

Can I bring my parents to Canada permanently?

Canada's Family Class immigration category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parent(s) or grandparent(s) through the Parent and Grandparent Program, or PGP. Sponsored parents and grandparents become permanent residents of Canada, with all the benefits that come with it.

Do I have to file separate I-130 for my parents?

1. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative.

How much does it cost to file for parents?

$535. You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier's check. When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

How long it takes to get green card for parents?

Green cards for parents of U.S. citizens

For parents of U.S. citizens, the process usually takes 10-13 months. Like for spouses of U.S. citizens, there is no limit on the number of green cards. Therefore, you can generally get a green card based on your parent relationship within one year.

Can I bring my elderly parents to the US?

To petition for your parents (mother or father) to live in the United States as green card holders, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. (People who are themselves green card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.)

How can I bring my mom to USA?

The B2 Visa Visitor Process

  1. Make sure Your Parent has a Valid Passport. ...
  2. Show Me the Money! ...
  3. Scan Copies of Your Parent's Passports. ...
  4. Request an Employment Verification Letter From Your Current Employer. ...
  5. Go to Your Primary Bank for A Bank Verification Letter. ...
  6. Get Copies of your W2 Form, Paystubs, I-94, and H1B Approval.

Can green card holders sponsor parents?

Unfortunately, legal permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to sponsor parents at this time. You must also be at least 21 years of age to file a sponsorship petition and be able to prove financial means to support your relative. You can sponsor your mother, father, an adoptive parent or a stepparent.

Can a 17 year old apply for citizenship?

Children below age 18 cannot file Form N-400 for naturalization and they need to turn 18 in order to apply for US citizenship.

How long does it take for USCIS to approve I-130 for parents?

For immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, I-130 processing times currently vary between 5 to 16 months (as of April. 13, 2022). The sooner you get started on your I-130 application, the better. With Boundless, all the required forms listed above turn into simple questions you can answer in under two hours.

How long does it take for I-130 to get approved for parents?

After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from 5 to 12 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories. This is an approximation.

What documents are needed for I-130 for parents?

Form I-130 Supporting Documents Checklist

Proof of U.S. citizenship via passport, state-issued birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. Birth certificate of parents. Foreign passport of parents. Marriage certificate of your parents.

Can parents work on Super visa?

It should be noted that holders of a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa have the rights and restrictions of a regular tourist visa holder, and as such cannot work or study while they are in Canada.

Which countries allow to bring parents immigration?

Japan. If you qualify for the highly skilled professional special PR, you can bring your parents easily. From the UK to the US, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, many countries allow a parent retirement resident visa under different circumstances and conditions.

Can I sponsor my son to Canada over 18?

Is there an age limit for sponsorship in Canada? To sponsor a family member, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit to sponsor a family member to come to Canada.