Who the IR-5 is for
#- Parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old
- Applicants with documented parent-child relationships
- Parents seeking permanent residence in the U.S.
Official guidance to review
#Use the official USCIS humanitarian program pages for eligibility and filing steps.
Requirements checklist (high level)
#- Form I-130 filed by the U.S. citizen child
- Proof of parent-child relationship
- DS-260 immigrant visa application
- Medical exam and consular interview
Documents and evidence
#- Birth certificates and civil documents
- I-130 approval notice
- DS-260 confirmation and interview appointment letter
- Police certificates and medical exam results
Step-by-step overview
#- U.S. citizen files Form I-130.
- Complete NVC processing and DS-260.
- Attend consular interview and medical exam.
- Enter the U.S. and receive the green card.
Fees (verify before you pay)
#Immigrant visa fees, affidavit of support fees, and USCIS petition fees can apply. Immigrant visa and affidavit of support fees apply.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS filing fees
Processing times
#Processing depends on USCIS petitions, NVC timelines, and visa bulletin availability. Processing depends on USCIS and NVC timelines.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS processing times tool
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
Common mistakes that cause delays
#- Missing or inconsistent civil documents
- Incomplete affidavit of support evidence
- Delays in submitting NVC documents
FAQs
Who can file an IR-5 petition?
Only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for parents under IR-5.
Is there a visa cap for IR-5?
No. IR-5 is an immediate relative category and is not subject to annual numerical limits.
Does IR-5 require a Visa Bulletin wait?
IR-5 is not subject to priority date backlogs, but USCIS and NVC processing still take time.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-01-29
- Family immigration (Department of State)
- Family preference immigrant visas (Department of State)
- Immigrant visas overview (Department of State)
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (USCIS)
- Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
- Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
- USCIS processing times tool
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.
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