Published: March 27, 2023
The family visa is one of most the most sought-after immigration visas in the US. The Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a total of 368,985 family-based visas in 2022. This estimate is a combination of immediate relative and family-based preference categories. Experts expect the numbers to grow in the upcoming years.
Even if the US visa family application is one of the most popular categories, it follows similar procedures as others. One of the most integral parts is visa sponsorship. Immigrants intending to enter and stay within the United States as family members to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident should secure a sponsor.
A family visa can change lives for the better. Aside from uniting families in the US, it can also provide family members with golden opportunities that may only be available in the US. Applicants should ensure their family application for a US visa is well-drafted and organized.
Applicants should work with veteran immigration lawyers for a smoother and more successful visa application. ALG Lawyers has helped hundreds of families establish better lives in the US through hassle-free US family visa applications. We will utilize the best of our experiences, knowledge, connections, and resources to make your experience easier. Contact us today so we can start discussing your immigration options.
What is a visa sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship is a process whereby an eligible person or entity requests before US immigration authorities the entry of a noncitizen within the country. It is an available process in many visa categories. Besides family-based visas, it is also available in business and employment-based visas.
The ability to sponsor non-citizens to enter and live within the US is often an exclusive privilege. For family-based visas, it is available to US citizens and permanent citizens. Visa sponsorship holds multiple purposes, but it mainly exists for practicality. Sponsors often guarantee that the beneficiary can have somewhere to stay and have the money to provide for their needs while traversing America.
Family Visa Sponsorship Process Overview
Sponsoring family visas involve paperwork, interviews, and payment of specific fees. Those intending to be principal or joint sponsors should be cautious with every procedure to avoid repetition and delays. The USCIS and other immigration agencies can be meticulous, so reviewing multiple times before submitting is advisable.
The first stage of family visa sponsorship is filing appropriate petitions. After submitting the required form, its necessary attachments, and processing fees, applicants should wait for the government’s notice. Once an interview schedule is set, applicants should attend on time and answer the questions truthfully.
Who is eligible to be a family visa sponsor?
There are two individuals who may sponsor a family visa, US citizens and lawful permanent residents. US citizens cover both natural-born and naturalized individuals. Each category may sponsor specific family members.
Out of the two, US citizens have a wider range of relatives they can sponsor. They may petition the following:
- Spouse or fiancé/e
- Children, who could be married and over 21 years old
- Parents
- Siblings
In comparison, lawful permanent residents have a more limited privilege regarding family visa sponsorship. They may only petition for the following:
- Spouse
- Children, who should not be married or over 21 years old
It is a common misconception that lawful permanent resides could petition for their fiancé/e. In most cases, applicants opt to marry so the nonresident partner may qualify as an immediate family member.
Duties of Family Visa Sponsors
Sponsors have duties that extend beyond visa application. Overall, they must ensure that family-based visa beneficiaries adjust well to their lives in the US and keep up with their legal obligations as immigrants.
Look at this list for more duties specific to visa sponsors:
1. Submit an affidavit of support
One of the first duties of family visa sponsors is filing an Affidavit of Support. This affidavit signifies that the sponsor will support the beneficiary until they become a lawful permanent resident.
2. Provide financial support to beneficiaries
One of the most crucial responsibilities of sponsors is providing constant financial support to the family visa immigrants. They should maintain an income above the poverty line so they can afford the beneficiary’s basic necessities.
3. Submit timely updates to USCIS
Sponsors should also work closely with immigration agencies, especially the USCIS. They should notify the USCIS of any changes in the beneficiary’s address, work, and other relevant circumstances.
4. Maintain a clean criminal record
Sponsors with besmirched criminal records may be disqualified from their posts. They should be law-abiding citizens to be a role model and deter beneficiaries from becoming delinquent with the law.
Joint Sponsors
The person who files an Affidavit of Support on behalf of an immigrant is called a primary sponsor. However, said sponsors may share the responsibility of sponsoring a family-based visa applicant. Those assisting principal sponsors are deemed joint sponsors.
Like primary sponsors, joint sponsors should be US citizens or lawful permanent residents. One of the primary reasons why joint sponsors are necessary is that primary sponsors do not have sufficient finances to support the beneficiary. Besides providing for the beneficiary’s daily needs, they also help reimburse government-related expenses so the immigrant will not become a public charge.
Note that joint sponsorship is not permanent. It generally exists until the primary sponsor provides enough financial support for the family-based immigrant.
If you have other family-based visa questions in mind, you might find the answers here.
Consult Experienced Family Visa Lawyers in Los Angeles
Finding a sponsor is an integral part of getting a family-based visa. It is a crucial step that applicants should accomplish to unlock several privileges, such as becoming a permanent resident in the US. Applicants and their sponsors should work closely together to ensure that the application process to flow as smoothly as possible.
Processing family visas require expertise in immigration policies and procedures. To maximize your application’s chances of success, coordinate with ALG Lawyers. We are a Los Angeles-based immigration law firm with an extensive background in preparing and filing family visas. Our legal team works earnestly to provide clients with top-tier support and services.
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)