The United States is a melting pot of cultures thanks to the various pathways that are available for individuals to come to this country. Citizens and lawful permanent residents, who are sometimes referred to as green card holders, can bring their family members here, as long as they meet certain conditions.
The sponsor’s immigration status and their relationship to the person they want to sponsor are two of the primary factors that matter. Sponsoring a loved one requires that they also meet financial requirements and demonstrate a legitimate family relationship.
U.S. citizens have the broadest sponsorship abilities
Citizens can sponsor a wider range of family members than lawful permanent residents. These include immediate relatives, such as their spouse, their parents and their children who are under 21 and unmarried. Those individuals don’t have any numerical limits, so they may not take as long for approval. Citizens can also sponsor their siblings and married children, but this can take longer since there are caps for these visas.
Green card holders have limited sponsorship abilities
Lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouse and unmarried children. They can’t sponsor their married children, their siblings or their parents. All visas that are sponsored by green card holders have annual caps, so there can be a considerable wait time for a decision to be made.
Financial and legal requirements apply
Sponsors must meet certain income requirements because they must show that the individuals they sponsor won’t be a financial burden on the U.S. government. An affidavit of support is required to show that the sponsor will ensure their loved one will be supported while they’re in the U.S. Additionally, background checks and proof of a valid family relationship are also present.
Immigration laws and regulations in this country change often, so it’s critical that anyone who’s interested in bringing someone here or coming here themselves ensures they’re familiar with the most current ones. Because this can be such a complex undertaking, it may be best for these individuals to work with someone familiar with these matters.