I’m originally from Uzbekistan and I’m now living in Oklahoma. I’ve been here for a couple of years and my situation has made me start thinking seriously about family immigration. My parents are still in Uzbekistan, and I would really like to know what options exist for bringing them to the U.S. in the future. I’ve heard that some family categories take a very long time, and I’m wondering what pathways are available, how long it might take, and whether my current immigration status affects the process of sponsoring them.

Question

Jibril Elmi · Accepted Answer

If you are only a green card holder, you cannot petition for your parents yet. Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can sponsor their parents.

Saowalak Suwannarat · Answer

The timeline for family immigration depends heavily on your current status. If you become a U.S. citizen, you can file an I-130 petition for your parents, and that category is considered “immediate relative,” so there is no waiting line.

However, until you naturalize, your options to sponsor them are very limited.

Marzanna Kowalska · Answer

If your goal is to bring your parents from Uzbekistan, the fastest path is for you to become a U.S. citizen. Once that happens, you can file petitions, and they would be eligible for immigrant visas without long backlogs.

Some people try temporary options like visitor visas in the meantime, but those are not guaranteed and carry risks if the intent is permanent residence. Talking with an attorney early can help you prepare for the process and understand the best strategy.

Sevgi Rakhimov

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