Helpful reminders when sponsoring for a family member

Published: November 10, 2021

One of the most effective ways to bring a family member to the United States legally is sponsoring for their visa. Every year, the U.S. government welcomes thousands of foreign individuals as new citizens or LPRs. At that moment, families reunite and become whole once again. Are you aiming for that goal? We have a few reminders you should keep in mind.

Eligibility

Only U.S. Citizens and Green Card holders may sponsor family members. U.S. Citizens may sponsor their spouse, children (of any age, whether married or unmarried), siblings, and parents. Take note, U.S. Citizens sponsoring siblings and parents must be at least twenty-one (21) years old upon application. On the other hand, Green Card holders may only sponsor their spouse and unmarried children.

Preference Categories

Immigrants who intend to acquire a U.S. Citizenship or Green Card through a family member must first acquire an immigrant visa number. These numbers are distributed according to different preference categories. Currently, there are four preference categories.

• First Preference: Unmarried U.S. Citizens’ children who are twenty-one (21) years old and over
• Second Preference: Green Card holders’ unmarried children who are under twenty-one (21) years old, spouse, and their spouse’s unmarried sons and daughters
• Third Preference: U.S. Citizens’ married children, regardless of age
• Fourth Preference: U.S. Citizens’ siblings

Immediate family members to U.S. Citizens, such as their spouses, unmarried children under twenty-one (21) years old, and parents, do not need to comply with the immigrant visa number requirement.

Processing Time

The waiting time for immediate relatives and individuals under preference categories vary depending on the processing service center or the country of origin. The number of backlogs may affect the speed of an immigrants’ application. All things considered, typical waiting times range from six (6) months to more than twenty (20) years.

Support

Sponsors are liable for the beneficiaries. According to applicable U.S. immigration laws, sponsors must pledge financial support for the sponsored immigrant. They should also reimburse the cost of any means-tested public benefits that the sponsored immigrant receives.

Joint Sponsor

If the sponsor’s income and assets are insufficient to assume the obligation of financially supporting the applicant, having a co-sponsor is an option. A joint sponsor can either be a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and living in the US and is willing to accept financial responsibilities to support the intending immigrant.

Reunite with Your Family

ALG Lawyers knows that the joy of living together as a complete family is priceless. Our Los Angeles immigration attorneys will make sure that no one gets left behind. Tell us your story so we will know how to help.