If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be able to bring your adult children to the United States. The process differs depending on whether the child is married or unmarried and their age.
Understand the eligibility requirements
To sponsor an adult child, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. U.S. citizens can petition for both married and unmarried children, while lawful permanent residents can only sponsor unmarried children. For the petition, the child must be at least 21 years old to be considered an adult.
The sponsorship process
Once you determine that you are eligible, the first step is to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This petition establishes your relationship to the adult child. After USCIS approves the I-130, the next step depends on whether your child is inside or outside the United States. If your child is outside the country, they must go through consular processing. If they are already in the U.S., they can adjust their status.
Keep in mind that waiting times for family-sponsored green cards for adult children can be long, especially if the child marries or comes from a country with a high demand for green cards.
Fees and documentation
When sponsoring an adult child, expect to pay various filing fees for the Form I-130 and any other forms related to the process. Additionally, you will need to submit documentation that proves your relationship, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other supporting evidence.
While sponsoring adult children for citizenship is possible, patience is required due to the processing times and the specific requirements of the process.