Immigrating to the United States requires that a person has some sort of sponsorship, some of which include being sponsored by a family member. This doesn’t mean that any family member can be a sponsor. Instead, immigration laws limit who can sponsor someone.
In order tos ponsor a family member, the individual must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, which is commonly known as a green card holder. They must be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory.
Family relations and financial support
U.S. citizens are eligible to sponsor a greater variety of relatives than a green card holder. Citizens can sponsor spouses, married or unmarried children, parents, and children. A green card holder is limited to only spouses and unmarried children.
It’s important to understand what sponsorship entails. Sponsorship isn’t just symbolic. The sponsor must file an Affidavit of Support, which is a legally binding document that promises to financially support the immigrant if they can’t support themselves. That obligation typically lasts until the immigrant becomes a citizen or until they earn 40 qualifying work quarters, which is a minimum of 10 years if the immigrant works all year long.
Even with a sponsor, the person who’s interested in coming to the U.S. must be able to pass the process for immigration. Part of this process involves having a background check completed. Because regulations and policies for immigration change often, it’s best to work with someone who stays abreast of everything to ensure that the process is being handled properly.
