IR-5 Visa: Parent of a U.S. Citizen

What is an IR-5 Visa?

An IR-5 visa is a type of immigrant visa issued to the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older. It is also called a Parent of a U.S. Citizen Visa. The IR-5 visa allows the parent to enter the United States as a permanent resident.

To be eligible for an IR-5 visa, the U.S. citizen child must be 21 years of age or older, and must be the biological or legally adopted parent of the foreign national parent. The U.S. citizen child must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent.

The IR-5 visa holder is considered to be a permanent resident and will be allowed to live and work in the United States permanently.

To apply for an IR-5 visa, the U.S. citizen child must first file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, the foreign national parent must then apply for the IR-5 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

It’s important to note that the process may vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where the application is being submitted and the specific case. It’s also important to have all the required documents ready, be honest and accurate in the application, and to be prepared for the interview. It’s also recommended to consult with an immigration lawyer to help with the process.

Who Qualifies for IR-5 Visa?

To qualify for an IR-5 visa, an individual must be the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older. The U.S. citizen child must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent, which must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the foreign national parent can apply for the IR-5 visa.

U.S. citizen child must be biologically or legally adopted parent of the foreign national parent and that the U.S. citizen child is 21 years of age or older. The foreign national parent must also meet all the general requirements for a nonimmigrant visa, such as being admissible to the United States, and not being a security risk.

IR-5 visa holder is considered to be a permanent resident and will be allowed to live and work in the United States permanently.

How to Apply for IR-5 Visa?

Here are the general steps for applying for an IR-5 visa:

  1. File a petition: The U.S. citizen child must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved.
  2. Gather the required documentation: The foreign national parent must gather all the required documents, such as proof of the relationship with the U.S. citizen child, proof of U.S. citizen child’s citizenship, and proof of the foreign national parent’s admissibility.
  3. Complete the visa application: After the petition is approved, the foreign national parent must complete the visa application form (DS-260) and pay the application fee.
  4. Attend an interview: After the application and all required documents are submitted, the foreign national parent may be required to attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
  5. Wait for a decision: After the interview, the foreign national parent must wait for a decision on their visa application.
  6. Enter the United States: Once the visa is granted, the foreign national parent must enter the United States within the validity period of the visa.

What is the IR-5 Visa Interview Process?

The IR-5 visa interview process typically involves an in-person interview with a consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The purpose of the interview is to verify the information provided in the application and to determine whether the individual is eligible for the IR-5 visa.

During the interview, the consular officer may ask a series of questions to verify the individual’s identity, the relationship with the U.S. citizen child, and the information provided in the application. The officer may also ask about the individual’s qualifications and plans while in the United States. The consular officer will also check to ensure that the relationship between the U.S. citizen child and the foreign national parent is legally valid and that the relationship was entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws.

It’s important for the applicant to be honest and accurate in their responses to the questions and to provide any additional documentation if required. The applicant must also be prepared to provide evidence of the authenticity of the relationship, such as birth certificates, adoption papers, and other documents that demonstrate that the relationship is bona-fide.

If the consular officer determines that the individual is eligible for the IR-5 visa, they will be granted a visa to enter the United States. If the officer determines that the individual is not eligible, the application will be denied, and the individual will not be allowed to enter the United States.

What are the Required Documents for IR-5 Visa?

The required documents for an IR-5 visa application can vary depending on the individual case and the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application, but generally, the following documents are required:

  1. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: This form must be filed by the U.S. citizen child on behalf of the foreign national parent, and must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the foreign national parent can apply for the IR-5 visa.
  2. Form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa Electronic Application: This form must be completed by the foreign national parent and submitted along with the application fee.
  3. Valid passport: A valid passport for travel to the United States, with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond the intended stay in the United States.
  4. Two recent 2×2 passport-style photographs: The photographs must be taken within the last six months, and meet the US visa photograph requirements.
  5. Proof of relationship: Original or certified copies of the birth certificate, adoption papers, or other official documents that prove the relationship with the U.S. citizen child.
  6. Proof of U.S. citizen child’s citizenship: A copy of the U.S. citizen child’s birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport.
  7. Proof of the foreign national parent’s admissibility: This may include police certificates, court records, and other documents to demonstrate that the foreign national parent does not have a criminal record or any other grounds of inadmissibility.
  8. Proof of financial support: Evidence that the U.S. citizen child can support the foreign national parent during their stay in the United States, such as bank statements, pay stubs, and income tax returns.
  9. Medical examination: A valid medical examination report by an authorized panel physician.

What is the IR-5 Visa Fee?

The fee for an IR-5 visa application is currently $535. This fee is for the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which is filed by the U.S. citizen child on behalf of the foreign national parent and it must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the foreign national parent can apply for the IR-5 visa.

It’s important to note that there may be additional fees for other services, such as for expediting services, if the applicant chooses to use them. Also, some people may be eligible for a fee waiver, such as individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. They need to submit form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, along with proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and other financial documents.

It’s also important to note that this fee does not guarantee that the application will be approved. The decision to grant or deny the application is ultimately at the discretion of the consular officer who reviews the application.

What is the IR-5 Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for an IR-5 visa can vary depending on a number of factors such as the workload of the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application, the demand for visas, and the completeness and accuracy of the application and supporting documents.

IR-5 Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible for the IR-5 visa?
A: To be eligible for the IR-5 visa, an individual must be the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older. The U.S. citizen child must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent, which must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the foreign national parent can apply for the IR-5 visa.

Q: How do I apply for the IR-5 visa?
A: To apply for the IR-5 visa, the U.S. citizen child must first file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the foreign national parent with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it must be approved. After that, the foreign national parent must complete the visa application form, pay the application fee, gather required documents, and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Q: What are the required documents for the IR-5 visa?
A: The required documents for the IR-5 visa can include Form I-130, Form DS-260, valid passport, proof of relationship, proof of U.S. citizen child’s citizenship, proof of the foreign national parent’s admissibility, proof of financial support, and the application fee payment.

Q: What is the fee for the IR-5 visa?
A: The fee for the IR-5 visa is currently $535.

Q: What is the processing time for the IR-5 visa?
A: The processing time for the IR-5 visa can vary depending on the individual case and the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application, as well as the demand.

Q: What are the benefits of having an IR-5 visa?
A: IR-5 visa holders are considered to be permanent residents and are allowed to live and work in the United States permanently.