The IR-5 visa is a type of immigrant visa category issued by the United States for the purpose of allowing U.S. citizens to bring their parents to live permanently in the United States. The “IR” stands for “Immediate Relative,” which indicates that this visa category is specifically designed for close family members of U.S. citizens who wish to immigrate and live together in the U.S. without the need for the usual family preference categories that have annual numerical limits.
The IR-5 visa is specifically meant for parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old. It allows parents to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States, granting them the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
To apply for an IR-5 visa for parents, the U.S. citizen petitioner (the child of the parents seeking the visa) must initiate the process by filing a visa petition on behalf of their parents. Once the petition is approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the parents can then apply for the actual IR-5 visa through the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. This involves submitting various documents, attending an interview, and undergoing medical and security checks.
It’s important to note that the IR-5 visa is a means for parents to obtain permanent residency in the U.S., which means they can live, work, and travel in and out of the country without time limitations. This is in contrast to nonimmigrant visas, which typically have time restrictions and specific purposes (such as tourism, work, study, etc.).
Overall, the IR-5 visa provides a way for U.S. citizens to reunite with their parents and offer them the opportunity to establish their lives in the United States as permanent residents.
How to apply for an IR-5 visa?
Applying for an IR-5 visa involves several steps, from filing a petition to attending a visa interview. Here’s a general overview of the process:
- Petition Filing: The first step is for the U.S. citizen petitioner (the child of the parent seeking the visa) to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the relationship between the U.S. citizen and their parent, proving eligibility for the IR-5 visa. The petitioner must provide necessary supporting documentation, such as birth certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship, and other evidence of the relationship.
- USCIS Approval: Once the Form I-130 is submitted, USCIS will review the petition and supporting documents. If the petition is approved, USCIS will send a Notice of Approval (Form I-797) to the petitioner and forward the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
- NVC Processing: The NVC will send instructions to the petitioner on how to pay the necessary fees and submit additional documentation, such as the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-260) for the parent. The NVC will also request the necessary civil documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates. Once all required documents are submitted and fees are paid, the NVC will schedule an immigrant visa interview.
- Visa Interview and Medical Examination: The parent will need to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The embassy or consulate will provide information about the interview date, time, and required documents. The parent will also need to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician.
- Visa Approval and Entry to the U.S.: If the visa interview is successful and all required documents are in order, the U.S. embassy or consulate may approve the IR-5 visa for the parent. The parent will receive the visa packet, which should not be opened and should be presented to the U.S. immigration officials upon entry to the U.S. The visa typically allows the parent to enter the U.S. within a specified timeframe.
- Arrival and Green Card Process: Once the parent arrives in the U.S., they will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry. If admitted, they will receive a temporary I-551 stamp in their passport, which serves as evidence of their lawful permanent resident status. The physical Green Card will be mailed to the U.S. address provided during the process.
It’s important to note that the IR-5 visa process may vary based on the U.S. embassy or consulate and the specific circumstances of the applicant. It’s recommended to follow the instructions provided by the NVC and the U.S. embassy/consulate closely and to be prepared with accurate and complete documentation. Consulting with an immigration attorney can also be helpful to ensure a smooth application process.
IR-5 visa cost
the fees associated with the IR-5 visa process could include:
- Form I-130 Filing Fee: The fee for filing the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. This fee can change over time, so it’s recommended to check the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information.
- NVC Processing Fee: After the Form I-130 is approved by USCIS, the National Visa Center (NVC) will require payment of a processing fee before they can proceed with further processing and scheduling the visa interview.
- Visa Application Fee (DS-260): This fee is paid when the parent completes and submits the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-260).
- Medical Examination Fee: The cost of the medical examination required for the visa application, which is conducted by an approved panel physician.
- Affidavit of Support Fee: If the U.S. citizen petitioner does not meet the income requirements to sponsor their parent, they might need to find a joint sponsor. The joint sponsor may need to pay a fee to file the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
- Visa Issuance Fee: This fee is paid at the U.S. embassy or consulate when the visa is approved. It covers the cost of processing the visa and issuing the visa packet.
Please note that these fees can change and may vary depending on factors such as location and changes in U.S. immigration policies. It’s important to consult the official U.S. government sources, such as the USCIS website and the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa interview will be conducted, to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the fees associated with the IR-5 visa process. Additionally, consulting with an immigration attorney or a reputable immigration consultant can provide you with personalized guidance regarding the visa process and associated costs.
IR-5 visa checklist of documents
While specific document requirements can vary based on individual circumstances and the U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa interview will take place, here’s a general checklist of documents commonly required for the IR-5 visa application process:
- Petition-Related Documents:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, approved by USCIS.
- Notice of Approval (Form I-797) for the approved Form I-130.
- NVC Processing Documents:
- Immigrant Visa Application and Alien Registration (Form DS-260) completed and submitted online.
- NVC Case Number and Invoice Identification Number.
- Payment of NVC processing fee.
- Passport biodata page for the parent (applicant).
- Birth certificate for the parent (applicant).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable).
- Police clearance certificates from all countries where the parent (applicant) has lived for six months or more since the age of 16.
- Affidavit of Support and Financial Documents:
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) signed by the U.S. citizen petitioner.
- Supporting financial documents, such as recent tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, and proof of assets.
- Civil Documents:
- Original birth certificates for the parent (applicant) and the U.S. citizen petitioner.
- Original marriage certificates or evidence of other marriages and their termination (if applicable).
- Adoption certificates (if applicable).
- Any name change documentation (if applicable).
- Police clearance certificates.
- Military records (if applicable).
- Relationship Evidence:
- Family photos showing the U.S. citizen petitioner with the parent (applicant).
- Documentation of regular communication between the U.S. citizen petitioner and the parent (applicant), such as emails, letters, and phone records.
- Medical Examination:
- Results of the medical examination performed by an approved panel physician.
- Visa Application Fee:
- Payment receipt for the visa application fee (Form DS-260).
- Passport:
- Valid passport for the parent (applicant).
- Visa Photographs:
- Recent passport-sized photographs meeting the U.S. visa photo requirements.
