You can't sponsor your parents for green cards until you're a U.S. citizen - and that takes 5+ years after getting your own green card. Here's the full timeline and your options in the meantime.
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Only U.S. citizens can sponsor parents for green cards - green card holders cannot. This means your timeline is: get your own green card (2-15+ years depending on path), wait 5 years for citizenship eligibility, naturalize (6-12 months), then sponsor parents as "immediate relatives" (1-2 years processing).
Total: 8-20+ years from starting your immigration journey. In the meantime, parents can visit on B-1/B-2 tourist visas.
Green card holders cannot sponsor parents
Only U.S. citizens can file immigrant petitions for parents.
Citizenship requires 5 years as green card holder
You must wait 5 years (or 3 if married to citizen) before naturalizing.
Parents are "immediate relatives" once you're a citizen
No quota limits, no backlog - but still 1-2 year processing.
Total timeline is 8-20+ years
Depending on how long your own green card takes.
B-1/B-2 visitor visas are interim solution
Parents can visit for up to 6 months at a time.
Your visa choice affects parent timeline
EB-1A (no backlog) gets you to citizenship faster than EB-2 (10-15 year backlog for Indians).
Green card holders cannot sponsor parents
Only U.S. citizens can file immigrant petitions for parents.
Citizenship requires 5 years as green card holder
You must wait 5 years (or 3 if married to citizen) before naturalizing.
Parents are "immediate relatives" once you're a citizen
No quota limits, no backlog - but still 1-2 year processing.
Total timeline is 8-20+ years
Depending on how long your own green card takes.
B-1/B-2 visitor visas are interim solution
Parents can visit for up to 6 months at a time.
Your visa choice affects parent timeline
EB-1A (no backlog) gets you to citizenship faster than EB-2 (10-15 year backlog for Indians).
U.S. Citizens Can Sponsor:
Parents (mother and father)
Spouses
Children (unmarried under 21: immediate relatives)
Children (married or over 21: family preference)
Siblings
Green Card Holders Can Sponsor:
Spouses (2+ year wait)
Unmarried children (2+ year wait)
NOT parents
NOT siblings
Key insight: Until you become a U.S. citizen, you cannot file any immigrant petition for your parents.
Phase 1: Get Your Own Green Card
Timeline varies by path:
Your Path | Timeline to Green Card |
EB-1A (any country) | 2-3 years |
EB-2 NIW (non-backlog) | 2-3 years |
EB-2 NIW (India) | 12-15+ years |
Employer EB-2 (non-backlog) | 3-4 years |
Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20+ years |
H-1B → Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20+ years |
Phase 2: Wait for Citizenship Eligibility
Requirements to naturalize:
5 years as permanent resident (green card holder)
OR 3 years if married to U.S. citizen
Physical presence: 30 months of last 5 years in U.S.
Continuous residence: No trips longer than 6 months
Good moral character
English and civics test
Timeline: 5 years after green card (or 3 years if married to citizen)
Phase 3: Naturalization Process
Steps:
File N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
Biometrics appointment (2-4 weeks after filing)
Interview (6-12 months after filing)
Oath ceremony (1-4 weeks after interview)
Timeline: 6-12 months from filing to citizenship
Phase 4: Sponsor Parents
Process:
File I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for each parent
USCIS processes I-130 (6-12 months)
National Visa Center processing (2-4 months)
Consular interview for parents (2-6 months)
Parents receive immigrant visas, enter U.S. as permanent residents
Timeline: 1-2 years from filing to parents receiving green cards
Key advantage: Parents are "immediate relatives" - no quota limits, no annual caps, no backlog.
Example 1: Indian Engineer on EB-2 PERM Track
Year 0: Start H-1B
Year 2: Employer files PERM/I-140
Year 17: Priority date becomes current, file I-485
Year 18: Green card approved
Year 23: Eligible for citizenship (5 years as GC holder)
Year 24: Naturalize
Year 26: Parents receive green cards
Total: 26 years from H-1B to parents getting green cards
Example 2: Indian Engineer on EB-1A Track
Year 0: Start H-1B, build evidence
Year 3: File EB-1A (no backlog)
Year 5: Green card approved
Year 10: Eligible for citizenship
Year 11: Naturalize
Year 13: Parents receive green cards
Total: 13 years from H-1B to parents getting green cards
Time saved by EB-1A: 13 years compared to employer-sponsored EB-2
Example 3: Non-Backlog Country (Brazil) on EB-2 NIW
Year 0: File EB-2 NIW
Year 2: Green card approved
Year 7: Eligible for citizenship
Year 8: Naturalize
Year 10: Parents receive green cards
Total: 10 years from NIW filing to parents getting green cards
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
What it allows:
Tourism, visiting family
Up to 6 months per visit (typical)
Can request extension while in U.S.
What it doesn't allow:
Working
Permanent residence
Guaranteed entry (CBP decides at border)
How to get B-1/B-2:
Parents apply at U.S. consulate in home country
Interview required
Must demonstrate ties to home country (to show they'll return)
Must show financial ability to support visit
Challenges:
Denial rates vary by country
If parents appear to have "immigrant intent," visa may be denied
Frequent/long visits may raise suspicion
Multiple Visits Strategy
Pattern that works:
Visit 1: 3 months in U.S., 9 months home
Visit 2: 4 months in U.S., 8 months home
Repeat
Pattern that raises flags:
Visit 1: 6 months in U.S., 1 month home
Visit 2: 6 months in U.S., 1 month home
CBP may deny entry or question intent
Best practice:
Keep visits to 3-4 months
Maintain ties to home country (property, bank accounts, social connections)
Don't appear to be living in U.S. on tourist visa
The math:
For Indians, employer-sponsored EB-2 takes 15-20 years. EB-1A takes 2-3 years.
Difference: 12-17 years
This means:
EB-1A: Parents can get green cards when you're 40-45
Employer EB-2: Parents can get green cards when you're 55-60
If parents are currently 60:
EB-1A: Parents get green cards at 73-78
Employer EB-2: Parents get green cards at 85-90 (if still living)
Critical insight: For Indians with aging parents, EB-1A isn't just about your career - it's about whether your parents will ever be able to immigrate.
Option 1: Employment-Based Green Card for Parents
If your parents can qualify for their own employment-based green card (EB-1A, NIW, employer sponsorship), they can apply independently.
Challenges:
Parents must have qualifying job/evidence
If from India, same backlog applies
Most parents don't qualify for EB-1A
Option 2: Diversity Visa Lottery
If parents are from eligible country, they can enter annual diversity visa lottery.
Challenges:
India, China, and many countries are ineligible
Very low odds (about 1% of entrants selected)
Random - not a reliable strategy
Option 3: Investor Visa (EB-5)
Parents can invest $800,000-$1,050,000 in U.S. business for green card.
Challenges:
Requires significant capital
Complex process
Investment risk
Option 4: B-1/B-2 Extensions and Long Visits
Not a path to green card, but allows extended time together.
Challenges:
Still temporary
Health insurance issues
Can't work
Parents visiting on B-1/B-2:
Not eligible for Medicare/Medicaid
Must have private travel insurance
U.S. healthcare is expensive without insurance
Pre-existing conditions may not be covered
Recommendations:
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance before each visit
Consider plans specifically designed for visiting parents
Budget for potential healthcare costs
Why this matters:
Many immigrants face the painful choice:
Stay in U.S. for career opportunities
Return to home country to be with aging parents
The immigration system doesn't help:
15-20 year timelines for Indians
Parents aging during the wait
Health emergencies without easy solutions
Missing milestones (grandchildren growing up)
What you can do:
Choose fastest green card path possible
Maximize parent visits within legal limits
Consider whether U.S. immigration makes sense given family situation
Plan financially for frequent travel home
Total Family Timeline Calculator
Input your situation. OpenSphere shows not just your green card timeline, but when you can sponsor parents.
Path Comparison for Family Goals
OpenSphere compares paths showing: "EB-1A: Sponsor parents in 13 years. Employer EB-2: Sponsor parents in 26 years."
Parent Visit Planning
OpenSphere provides guidance on B-1/B-2 visits, extension strategies, and documentation.
Your Path | Your Green Card | Citizenship | Parents' Green Card |
EB-1A | 2-3 years | 7-8 years | 9-10 years |
EB-2 NIW (non-backlog) | 2-3 years | 7-8 years | 9-10 years |
EB-2 NIW (India) | 12-15 years | 17-20 years | 19-22 years |
Employer EB-2 (non-backlog) | 3-4 years | 8-9 years | 10-11 years |
Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20 years | 20-25 years | 22-27 years |
Want to understand how your immigration choices affect when you can bring your parents to the U.S.?
Take the OpenSphere evaluation. You'll see the full family timeline including parent sponsorship.
Calculate Your Family Timeline
U.S. Citizens Can Sponsor:
Parents (mother and father)
Spouses
Children (unmarried under 21: immediate relatives)
Children (married or over 21: family preference)
Siblings
Green Card Holders Can Sponsor:
Spouses (2+ year wait)
Unmarried children (2+ year wait)
NOT parents
NOT siblings
Key insight: Until you become a U.S. citizen, you cannot file any immigrant petition for your parents.
Phase 1: Get Your Own Green Card
Timeline varies by path:
Your Path | Timeline to Green Card |
EB-1A (any country) | 2-3 years |
EB-2 NIW (non-backlog) | 2-3 years |
EB-2 NIW (India) | 12-15+ years |
Employer EB-2 (non-backlog) | 3-4 years |
Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20+ years |
H-1B → Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20+ years |
Phase 2: Wait for Citizenship Eligibility
Requirements to naturalize:
5 years as permanent resident (green card holder)
OR 3 years if married to U.S. citizen
Physical presence: 30 months of last 5 years in U.S.
Continuous residence: No trips longer than 6 months
Good moral character
English and civics test
Timeline: 5 years after green card (or 3 years if married to citizen)
Phase 3: Naturalization Process
Steps:
File N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
Biometrics appointment (2-4 weeks after filing)
Interview (6-12 months after filing)
Oath ceremony (1-4 weeks after interview)
Timeline: 6-12 months from filing to citizenship
Phase 4: Sponsor Parents
Process:
File I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for each parent
USCIS processes I-130 (6-12 months)
National Visa Center processing (2-4 months)
Consular interview for parents (2-6 months)
Parents receive immigrant visas, enter U.S. as permanent residents
Timeline: 1-2 years from filing to parents receiving green cards
Key advantage: Parents are "immediate relatives" - no quota limits, no annual caps, no backlog.
Example 1: Indian Engineer on EB-2 PERM Track
Year 0: Start H-1B
Year 2: Employer files PERM/I-140
Year 17: Priority date becomes current, file I-485
Year 18: Green card approved
Year 23: Eligible for citizenship (5 years as GC holder)
Year 24: Naturalize
Year 26: Parents receive green cards
Total: 26 years from H-1B to parents getting green cards
Example 2: Indian Engineer on EB-1A Track
Year 0: Start H-1B, build evidence
Year 3: File EB-1A (no backlog)
Year 5: Green card approved
Year 10: Eligible for citizenship
Year 11: Naturalize
Year 13: Parents receive green cards
Total: 13 years from H-1B to parents getting green cards
Time saved by EB-1A: 13 years compared to employer-sponsored EB-2
Example 3: Non-Backlog Country (Brazil) on EB-2 NIW
Year 0: File EB-2 NIW
Year 2: Green card approved
Year 7: Eligible for citizenship
Year 8: Naturalize
Year 10: Parents receive green cards
Total: 10 years from NIW filing to parents getting green cards
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
What it allows:
Tourism, visiting family
Up to 6 months per visit (typical)
Can request extension while in U.S.
What it doesn't allow:
Working
Permanent residence
Guaranteed entry (CBP decides at border)
How to get B-1/B-2:
Parents apply at U.S. consulate in home country
Interview required
Must demonstrate ties to home country (to show they'll return)
Must show financial ability to support visit
Challenges:
Denial rates vary by country
If parents appear to have "immigrant intent," visa may be denied
Frequent/long visits may raise suspicion
Multiple Visits Strategy
Pattern that works:
Visit 1: 3 months in U.S., 9 months home
Visit 2: 4 months in U.S., 8 months home
Repeat
Pattern that raises flags:
Visit 1: 6 months in U.S., 1 month home
Visit 2: 6 months in U.S., 1 month home
CBP may deny entry or question intent
Best practice:
Keep visits to 3-4 months
Maintain ties to home country (property, bank accounts, social connections)
Don't appear to be living in U.S. on tourist visa
The math:
For Indians, employer-sponsored EB-2 takes 15-20 years. EB-1A takes 2-3 years.
Difference: 12-17 years
This means:
EB-1A: Parents can get green cards when you're 40-45
Employer EB-2: Parents can get green cards when you're 55-60
If parents are currently 60:
EB-1A: Parents get green cards at 73-78
Employer EB-2: Parents get green cards at 85-90 (if still living)
Critical insight: For Indians with aging parents, EB-1A isn't just about your career - it's about whether your parents will ever be able to immigrate.
Option 1: Employment-Based Green Card for Parents
If your parents can qualify for their own employment-based green card (EB-1A, NIW, employer sponsorship), they can apply independently.
Challenges:
Parents must have qualifying job/evidence
If from India, same backlog applies
Most parents don't qualify for EB-1A
Option 2: Diversity Visa Lottery
If parents are from eligible country, they can enter annual diversity visa lottery.
Challenges:
India, China, and many countries are ineligible
Very low odds (about 1% of entrants selected)
Random - not a reliable strategy
Option 3: Investor Visa (EB-5)
Parents can invest $800,000-$1,050,000 in U.S. business for green card.
Challenges:
Requires significant capital
Complex process
Investment risk
Option 4: B-1/B-2 Extensions and Long Visits
Not a path to green card, but allows extended time together.
Challenges:
Still temporary
Health insurance issues
Can't work
Parents visiting on B-1/B-2:
Not eligible for Medicare/Medicaid
Must have private travel insurance
U.S. healthcare is expensive without insurance
Pre-existing conditions may not be covered
Recommendations:
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance before each visit
Consider plans specifically designed for visiting parents
Budget for potential healthcare costs
Why this matters:
Many immigrants face the painful choice:
Stay in U.S. for career opportunities
Return to home country to be with aging parents
The immigration system doesn't help:
15-20 year timelines for Indians
Parents aging during the wait
Health emergencies without easy solutions
Missing milestones (grandchildren growing up)
What you can do:
Choose fastest green card path possible
Maximize parent visits within legal limits
Consider whether U.S. immigration makes sense given family situation
Plan financially for frequent travel home
Total Family Timeline Calculator
Input your situation. OpenSphere shows not just your green card timeline, but when you can sponsor parents.
Path Comparison for Family Goals
OpenSphere compares paths showing: "EB-1A: Sponsor parents in 13 years. Employer EB-2: Sponsor parents in 26 years."
Parent Visit Planning
OpenSphere provides guidance on B-1/B-2 visits, extension strategies, and documentation.
Your Path | Your Green Card | Citizenship | Parents' Green Card |
EB-1A | 2-3 years | 7-8 years | 9-10 years |
EB-2 NIW (non-backlog) | 2-3 years | 7-8 years | 9-10 years |
EB-2 NIW (India) | 12-15 years | 17-20 years | 19-22 years |
Employer EB-2 (non-backlog) | 3-4 years | 8-9 years | 10-11 years |
Employer EB-2 (India) | 15-20 years | 20-25 years | 22-27 years |
Want to understand how your immigration choices affect when you can bring your parents to the U.S.?
Take the OpenSphere evaluation. You'll see the full family timeline including parent sponsorship.
Calculate Your Family Timeline
1. Can green card holders sponsor parents?
No. Only U.S. citizens can sponsor parents.
2. How long after becoming a citizen can I sponsor parents?
Immediately. Once you're a citizen, you can file I-130 for parents right away.
3. Is there a backlog for parent green cards?
No. Parents of U.S. citizens are "immediate relatives" with no quota limits.
4. Can my parents visit while waiting?
Yes, on B-1/B-2 visitor visas. They can stay up to 6 months per visit.
5. Can I sponsor both parents at once?
Yes. File separate I-130 for each parent.
6. What if my parents are divorced?
Each parent is sponsored separately. No issue with divorce.
7. Can my spouse sponsor my parents?
Only if your spouse is a U.S. citizen. They'd be sponsoring "parents-in-law."
8. What if my parents are very old or sick?
Unfortunately, there's no expedited process based on age or health for family immigration. Humanitarian options are very limited.
9. Can my parents work after getting green cards?
Yes. Once they have green cards, they can work without restrictions.
10. Will my parents need to take citizenship test?
Only if they want to become citizens. They can remain permanent residents indefinitely.
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