Who is eligible for the IR-5 Visa?
The IR-5 visa is designed for the parents of U.S. citizens who wish to immigrate to the United States as lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). To be eligible for the IR-5 visa, the following criteria must be met:
- S. Citizen Sponsor: The petitioner (sponsor) must be a U.S. citizen and be at least 21 years old. Green card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents) cannot sponsor their parents for an IR-5 visa.
- Qualifying Relationship: The petitioner must be the biological or adoptive parent of the intending immigrant (the parent who wishes to immigrate to the United States). Step-parents may also qualify if the marriage that created the step-parent/step-child relationship occurred before the child turned 18.
- Financial Support: The U.S. citizen petitioner must agree to financially support the intending immigrant at 125% or more of the Federal Poverty Guidelines until they become a U.S. citizen or can be credited with 40 quarters (approximately 10 years) of work.
- Proof of Relationship: The petitioner needs to provide evidence of the qualifying relationship with the intending immigrant, such as a birth certificate, adoption papers, or other relevant documentation.
- Intention of Permanent Residency: The intending immigrant must have the intention to live permanently in the United States.
It’s important to note that the IR-5 visa is specifically for parents of U.S. citizens, and other family members may have different visa categories available to them. Additionally, immigration laws and visa categories might change or be updated over time. For the most current and accurate information on the IR-5 visa eligibility criteria, it is recommended to consult the official U.S. Department of State’s website or seek guidance from an immigration attorney.
What are the Fees for an IR5 Visa?
The fees associated with an IR-5 visa application typically include the following:
- Form I-130 Filing Fee: The filing fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which is filed by the U.S. citizen petitioner on behalf of their parent(s), was $535. This fee is paid to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when submitting the petition.
- National Visa Center (NVC) Fee: After the Form I-130 petition is approved by USCIS, the case will be forwarded to the NVC for further processing. The NVC will require payment of processing fees, including the visa application fee and the Affidavit of Support (AOS) fee. As of September 2021, the visa application fee for the IR-5 visa was $325, and the AOS fee was $120.
- Medical Examination: Your parents will need to undergo a medical examination by an authorized physician in their home country. The cost of the medical examination can vary depending on the country and the specific medical facility.
- Travel Expenses: Your parents will need to travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country for the visa interview. Travel expenses, including airfare and accommodation, will depend on their location and other factors.
It’s essential to note that the U.S. government may adjust visa fees periodically, so the amounts mentioned above are based on the fee schedule as of September 2021. Additionally, there might be other incidental expenses during the visa application process.
For the most current and accurate information regarding the fees associated with the IR-5 visa application, it is recommended to refer to the official U.S. Department of State’s website or consult with an immigration attorney. The U.S. government websites are reliable sources for up-to-date information on visa fees and application procedures.
How Long Will it Take for my IR5 Visa Application to be Processed?
The processing time for an IR-5 visa application can vary based on several factors, including the caseload at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the National Visa Center (NVC), as well as the time it takes to schedule and attend the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country.
As of my last update in September 2021, here are the typical processing steps and estimated time frames for an IR-5 visa:
- Form I-130 Processing: The processing time for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by the U.S. citizen petitioner to sponsor their parent(s), can vary depending on the USCIS workload and other factors. As of my last update, the USCIS processing time for Form I-130 was around 7.5 to 9.5 months.
- National Visa Center (NVC) Processing: After the Form I-130 petition is approved, the case is forwarded to the NVC for further processing. The NVC will review the case, request required documents, and schedule the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. NVC processing times could take a few months.
- Visa Interview Scheduling: The time it takes to schedule the visa interview can vary based on the demand at the specific U.S. embassy or consulate and the availability of interview slots. In some cases, there might be a waiting period before the interview can be scheduled.
- Visa Interview and Administrative Processing: After the visa interview, there may be additional administrative processing if needed. This could lead to further delays, depending on the individual circumstances.
It’s important to keep in mind that processing times can change over time, and the above estimates are based on historical data as of September 2021. Factors such as the complexity of the case, the completeness of the application, and the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic can also impact processing times.
For the most current and accurate processing times for the IR-5 visa, it is recommended to check the USCIS and U.S. Department of State websites or contact the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa interview will take place.
Visa processing times can vary for each case, and some applications may experience longer or shorter processing times than the general estimates provided. It’s also advisable to prepare and submit all required documents accurately and promptly to avoid any unnecessary delays in the process.