FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE

Even if borders are in the way, your family should not be split. If you are a U.S. citizen and you are planning to bring your parents from another country to live (and work) in the United States, you need to obtain the IR5 Parent visa. The IR5 Parent visa allows you to bring your foreign-born parents to the U.S. as permanent residents.

However, the visa process is quite complicated and time-consuming. Even though you understand all the requirements and procedures, you should be aware that the outcome depends on your personal situation and can vary on a case-to-case basis. Incomplete information, insufficient evidence, and legal obstacles often lead to long processing times, and even visa rejection.

VisaExpress (GovAssist Legal, LLC) is here to change this, offer you a hassle-free experience, and make sure you get your visa as quickly as possible.

Although family sponsorship seems simple and straightforward, the hassle of paperwork and complicated official procedures make the entire process time-consuming. Moreover, your U.S. visa application may be delayed and even denied because of common mistakes and/or incomplete supporting evidence. To avoid these costly risks, get peace of mind, and have your visa issued in a timely manner, we recommend benefiting from the services of GovAssist Legal's in-house immigration lawyers.

Please note that separate applications must be submitted for each family member.

As a petitioner, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Live in the U.S. and have a valid U.S. address.
• Meet the income requirement.
• Both you and your parent(s) must prove your relationship through a valid birth certificate.

As a beneficiary, your parent(s) must:

• Be a resident of a foreign country.

To get the IR5 Parent visa, you, as the sponsoring child, will be required to fill out your Petition for Alien Relative and file it with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service. The process varies depending on where your parent(s) live(s). If they are filling from outside the U.S., their case will be handled by their local Embassy or Consulate. In case they are filing from within the U.S., they will need to file for adjustment of status.

If your parent(s) is/are filing from outside the U.S., after the Petition for Alien Relative is approved, they will be required to fill out an immigration visa application. Once this application is submitted, their case is handed over to the National Visa Center for additional review. The NVC may require more information or supporting evidence. Once the NVC decides that your application is meeting the rules and standards, it will be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to your parent(s).

If your parent(s) already entered the U.S. on a valid visa, they can apply using adjustment of status. After they submit the Application for Adjustment for Status, USCIS will mail them a date, time, and location for the biometric appointment your parent(s) will have to attend.

Your parent(s) will be required to attend a face-to-face interview in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate even if they are applying using adjustment of status. During the interview, your parent(s) will answer a series of questions to prove that their relationship with you is genuine. It usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. You might also be required to present additional information. You might learn the decision on whether or not your visa is approved at the end of the interview.

Once your parent(s) is/are in the United States, USCIS will mail their green card to their U.S. address.