Your Guide to Helping Your Parents Get a Green Card in the USA

Earlier, I always thought that securing a green card for my parents would be a complicated process. However, after navigating it myself, I realized it wasn’t as daunting as I had imagined! My mom has now successfully arrived in the U.S., and I’ve compiled my DIY experiences to help others facing the same journey. Let’s dive into the essential steps and tips! 🌟

📝 Step 1: Online Submission of Form I-130

Submitting the I-130 form on the official Immigration website was a breeze! I received the electronic receipt the very next day — such convenience! The entire process is online, so no need to send in physical documents. Just make sure to scan and prepare your parents’ marriage certificates and birth certificates in JPEG format. Trust me, my initial attempt with PDF files resulted in some unnecessary backtracking!

🏛️ Step 2: Early Preparation of Domestic Notarization

I advised my mom to handle the essential notarizations in China ahead of time, which included: birth certificates, marriage certificates, and a certificate of no criminal record. Additionally, it’s advisable to complete all vaccinations in China and bring proof in both Chinese and English. My mom neglected to get her flu shot before coming to the U.S., leading to an $80 expense for a catch-up — definitely a lesson learned!

✍️ Step 3: Follow Video Tutorials for Form Filling

There are quite a few forms to fill out: I-485, I-864, I-864A, I-131, and I-765. At first, it felt overwhelming, but I found an incredibly helpful tutorial on YouTube by Kseniya International. She offers detailed guidance, including how to write names phonetically! Following her step-by-step instructions, I managed to submit everything correctly on my first try. 🙌

🏥 Step 4: Medical Exam with Certified Physicians

For the required medical exams, make sure to find a doctor certified by the immigration authorities. The official website provides a list of these doctors. I found a physician in Shanghai who charged 1500, while in Beijing, the fee was around 2000. It’s wise to compare prices among different clinics. Don’t forget to bring all vaccination records; the doctor will translate them into English for you!

📸 Step 5: Thorough Final Checks

For photos, I went to Walgreens and simply mentioned they were for immigration purposes. Be meticulous with the checks made out to the correct entities; I once mistakenly swapped the payees for I-485 and I-765, causing some confusion. Prior to submission, I triple-checked all my materials to ensure nothing was missing. Every detail counts! 🧐

💡 Helpful Tip: Health Insurance Applications

Once my mom received her EAD card, I quickly helped her apply for California’s Medi-Cal healthcare, saving a significant amount on medical expenses! Don’t forget to link her Social Security Number at the Social Security Administration office afterward.

The entire process, while requiring attention to detail, turned out to be much easier than I anticipated. DIYing the application not only saved a substantial amount on legal fees but also deepened my understanding of immigration. I feel far more prepared as I look forward to helping my dad through the process next time! 💪

By sharing these insights, I hope to empower more families to explore the option of DIY green card applications for their loved ones! Your journey can be just as successful. 🌍