SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

Quick Answer

Fontana has one of the largest and fastest-growing Arab communities in the Inland Empire, with many U.S. citizens eager to bring their parents from the Middle East to join them permanently. As a U.S. citizen, you have the privilege of petitioning for your parents as immediate relatives, a category with no annual visa number limits and no waiting periods. SoCal Immigration Services helps Fontana families navigate the I-130 petition process to reunite with their parents as quickly as possible.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

Immediate Relative Category: Why Parent Petitions Are the Fastest

When a U.S. citizen petitions for a parent, the parent falls under the Immediate Relative (IR) category of family-based immigration. This is the most favorable category in the entire immigration system because there is no cap on the number of visas issued each year and there is no priority date backlog. Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, the parent can immediately proceed to the next step without waiting for a visa number to become available. In fiscal year 2025, USCIS approved over 210,000 immediate relative petitions, with parent petitions representing approximately 25% of that total. The petitioning U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years old to sponsor a parent.

•No annual visa number limit for parents of U.S. citizens
•No priority date waiting period after I-130 approval
•Both parents can be petitioned simultaneously with separate I-130 forms
•Step-parents qualify if the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before the child turned 18
•Adoptive parents qualify if the adoption was finalized before the child turned 16
•The petitioning citizen must be at least 21 years of age

Required Forms and Filing Fees

The parent green card petition involves several forms depending on whether your parent will process through adjustment of status in the U.S. or consular processing abroad. Understanding the complete set of forms and fees upfront prevents delays and requests for evidence (RFEs). The total cost for a parent petition ranges from approximately $1,440 to $2,500 depending on the processing path and whether additional forms are needed.

Form	Purpose	Filing Fee	When Required
I-130	Petition for Alien Relative	$535	Always required - establishes the family relationship
I-130A	Supplemental Information for Beneficiary	$0	Always filed with I-130
I-485	Adjustment of Status	$1,140	Only if parent is in the U.S. and eligible to adjust
I-864	Affidavit of Support	$0	Always required - proves financial ability to sponsor
I-693	Medical Examination	$200-$500 (doctor fee)	Required before green card interview
I-765	Employment Authorization (EAD)	$0 (with I-485)	Optional - allows parent to work while I-485 is pending
I-131	Advance Parole	$0 (with I-485)	Optional - allows parent to travel while I-485 is pending

Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

Parents who are already in the United States and entered lawfully have two options: adjustment of status (AOS) or consular processing. Parents who are outside the U.S. must use consular processing. Each path has distinct advantages and timelines. For Arab families in Fontana, the choice often depends on whether the parent is currently visiting on a B-1/B-2 visa, or whether they are in their home country. Concurrent filing of Form I-130 and Form I-485 is available for immediate relatives, which allows parents in the U.S. to file both forms together and receive work authorization while waiting for approval.

Factor	Adjustment of Status (AOS)	Consular Processing
Parent Location	Must be physically in the U.S.	Parent is abroad or prefers to process abroad
Lawful Entry Required	Yes - must have entered with valid visa or parole	No entry to U.S. required
Concurrent Filing	I-130 + I-485 filed together	I-130 filed first, then NVC processing
Work Authorization	EAD available while pending	No U.S. work authorization until green card issued
Travel Permission	Advance Parole needed to travel	Free to travel in home country
Timeline	12-24 months	12-18 months after I-130 approval
Interview Location	Local USCIS field office	U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad

Step-by-Step Filing Process for Fontana Families

The parent green card petition follows a clear sequence of steps. Whether you choose adjustment of status or consular processing, the first step is always filing Form I-130. For Fontana residents, the local USCIS field office for adjustment of status interviews is the San Bernardino Field Office. Consular processing interviews take place at the U.S. embassy in your parent's country of residence.

1
Gather Civil Documents
Collect your U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate, your parent's birth certificate, your parent's passport, and any marriage certificates that establish the parent-child relationship. Foreign documents require certified English translations.
2
File Form I-130 Petition
Submit Form I-130 with the $535 filing fee, proof of your U.S. citizenship, and proof of the parent-child relationship. Include Form I-130A with your parent's biographical information. File separate I-130s if petitioning for both parents.
3
File I-485 Concurrently (If AOS)
If your parent is in the U.S. with lawful entry, file Form I-485 ($1,140) simultaneously with the I-130. Include Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, medical exam results (I-693), and optional I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (Advance Parole).
4
Attend Biometrics Appointment
USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment at the nearest Application Support Center, typically San Bernardino ASC for Fontana residents. Both the petitioner and the parent (if in the U.S.) must attend.
5
Complete the Affidavit of Support (I-864)
Demonstrate that your household income meets 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2026, this is $25,550 for a household of 2. Include 3 years of tax returns, W-2s, and current employment verification.
6
Attend the Green Card Interview
For AOS, attend the interview at the San Bernardino USCIS Field Office. For consular processing, your parent attends the interview at the U.S. embassy. Bring originals of all submitted documents, additional evidence of the relationship, and the I-864 package.
7
Receive Green Card
After approval, USCIS mails the green card to your Fontana address (AOS) or your parent receives an immigrant visa stamp and enters the U.S. (consular processing). The green card arrives by mail within 2-3 weeks of entry.

Affidavit of Support (I-864) Income Requirements

The I-864 Affidavit of Support is a legally binding contract where you guarantee that your parent will not become a public charge. USCIS requires that your household income equals or exceeds 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size, which includes yourself, your dependents, and the parent(s) you are sponsoring. If your income falls short, you have several options to meet the requirement. A joint sponsor (Form I-864A) can supplement your income; the joint sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with sufficient income. Assets valued at 3 times the shortfall (or 5 times for citizens sponsoring parents from abroad) can also qualify.

Household Size	125% Poverty Guideline (2026)	Example Scenario
2 (you + 1 parent)	$25,550	Single citizen sponsoring one parent
3 (you + spouse + 1 parent)	$32,188	Married citizen sponsoring one parent
4 (you + spouse + 1 parent + 1 child)	$38,825	Married citizen with child sponsoring one parent
5 (you + spouse + 2 parents + 1 child)	$45,463	Married citizen with child sponsoring both parents
Each additional person	+$6,638	Add for each additional dependent or sponsored immigrant

Parent Green Card Services for Fontana Arab Families

SoCal Immigration Services specializes in parent green card petitions for Fontana's Arab community. Our Arabic-speaking staff understands the documentation challenges unique to Middle Eastern civil records, including obtaining authenticated birth certificates, translating Arabic documents, and navigating consular processing at embassies across the Arab world. We handle every step from the initial I-130 petition through the final green card interview, ensuring your parent's case is complete, accurate, and positioned for the fastest possible approval.

•Complete I-130 petition preparation with document review
•Concurrent I-485 filing for parents currently in the United States
•I-864 Affidavit of Support income calculation and joint sponsor coordination
•Arabic document translation and authentication assistance
•Consular processing guidance for parents in the Middle East
•Green card interview preparation for San Bernardino Field Office
•Follow-up and case status monitoring throughout the process

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How long does it take to get a green card for my parent?

A: Adjustment of status takes 12-24 months. Consular processing takes 12-18 months after I-130 approval. Parents are immediate relatives with no visa waiting period.

Q:Can I petition for both parents at the same time?

A: Yes. File a separate I-130 for each parent with a $535 fee for each. Both petitions process simultaneously as immediate relatives.

Q:What income do I need to sponsor my parent?

A: Your household income must meet 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a household of 2, this is $25,550 in 2026. A joint sponsor can help if your income is insufficient.

Q:Can my parent work in the U.S. while waiting for the green card?

A: If filing adjustment of status, your parent receives an EAD work permit while the I-485 is pending. With consular processing, work authorization comes only after the green card is issued.

Q:What if my parent entered the U.S. without inspection?

A: Parents who entered without inspection generally cannot adjust status in the U.S. Consular processing is required, and a waiver for unlawful presence (I-601A) is needed if applicable.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Fontana and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 12, 2026Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Reunite with Your Parents in Fontana

Our Arabic-speaking team has helped hundreds of Fontana families petition for their parents' green cards. As immediate relatives, your parents qualify for the fastest family-based immigration process. Contact us today to begin the petition and bring your family together.

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Petitioning for Parents' Green Cards in Fontana: Complete Guide for U.S. Citizens