Discovering New Opportunities: Sponsorship Visa for the USA

The Foreign Relatives Visa (U.S. Family Sponsorship Visa) enables foreigners to join their family members who live in the USA (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents). The visa allows people to be reunited with their families in the United States and to live, work, and study there.

What is a Sponsorship Visa in the USA?

The Sponsorship visa permits a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident to sponsor a foreign national for immigration. This kind of visa is used to bring family members to the United States to live. Family-based sponsorships generally cover spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Process of Sponsorship Visa of USA

The sponsor must submit a petition to USCIS to apply for a USA Sponsorship Visa. The sponsor must have a qualifying relationship with the applicant and the required documentation. Once the petition is approved, a priority date will be issued to the applicant, which will tell him or her when to apply for the visa.

If the application is made outside the U.S., the applicant must attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, when the visa become available. Those who are already in the U.S. can change their status without leaving the country once their visa is available.

Sponsorship Visa Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements for the Sponsorship Visa program include having a qualifying relationship with the sponsor, passing a medical exam and obtaining a police certificate. The relationships most often eligible to be sponsored include:

  • Spouse
  • Parent
  • Child (including stepchildren and adopted children)
  • Siblings (including half-siblings and stepsiblings)
  • Fiancé(e)

Sponsor Responsibilities

A U.S. citizen or permanent resident who sponsors a foreign national assumes specific responsibilities under the Visa Sponsorship program. These include:

  • Financially supporting the applicant for a specified period
  • Repaying any public funds the applicant may receive during that time
  • Assisting the applicant in adjusting to life in the U.S.

The sponsor's financial responsibility begins when the applicant arrives in the U.S. and can last up to 10 years.

Types of Sponsorship Visas

There are several categories of Sponsorship Visas under U.S. immigration law, depending on the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. Below are the primary categories:

1. Spousal Sponsorship - IR-1 Visa

U.S. citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their spouse for an IR-1 visa to immigrate to the United States. The foreigner must be legally married to a United States citizen or green card holder, and a sponsor must have enough financial resources to support their partner.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Legally married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Sponsor must prove U.S. residency
  • The sponsor must have financial resources to support the applicant

2. Fiancé(e) Visa - K-1 Visa

This K-1 Visa applies to a foreigner who wants to marry a U.S. citizen. The couple must marry within 90 days of the applicant entering the U.S. If the couple does not marry within that time frame, the applicant may be deported.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Both individuals must be at least 18 years old
  • The U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) must have met in person within the past two years
  • The U.S. citizen must have sufficient financial resources to sponsor the fiancé(e)

3. Unmarried Children Under 21 - IR-2 Visa

Unmarried children under 21 years old of U.S. citizens can remain in the U.S. with their parents and later apply for a green card. Children under 18 automatically become United States citizens by entering the country, and those over 18 become permanent residents.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicant must be under 21 years old and unmarried
  • The applicant must be living outside the U.S.
  • The U.S. citizen parent must have lived with the child for at least 2 years.

4. Orphan Adopted Abroad - IR-3 Visa

The IR-3 Visa applies to U.S. citizens who adopt their children from overseas. It allows the adopted child to immigrate to the United States and live with their new family, and it also allows the child to receive American citizenship eventually.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • The child must be under 21 years old
  • The adoption must meet U.S. immigration requirements
  • The parent must plan to bring the adopted child to the U.S.

5. Orphan to Be Adopted in the U.S. - IR-4 Visa

An IR-4 Visa allows U.S. citizens to adopt children from foreign countries and complete the adoption process after the child arrives in the U.S. Once the adoption is finalized, the child will be able to live and work in the U.S. legally.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • The child must be under 21 years old
  • The child must meet U.S. adoption requirements
  • The parent must plan to complete the adoption in the U.S.

6. Parent Sponsorship - IR-5 Visa

The IR-5 Visa allows U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to sponsor their parents for immigration. The parent can work in the U.S. without needing an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Eligibility Criteria:
  • The U.S. citizen sponsor must be 21 years or older
  • The U.S. citizen must have sufficient financial resources to support the parent

Family Preference Visas

Beyond immediate relative visas such as the IR-1 or IR-2, you find family preference visas. These visas are for a specific family member of a U.S. citizen, but several have annual limits on the number of visas issued yearly.

F-1 Visa – Unmarried Children of U.S. Citizens

The F-1 Visa allows unmarried children of U.S. citizens to immigrate to the U.S.

F-2 Visa – Spouse and Children of Permanent Residents

The F-2 Visa is available to spouses and minor children of permanent residents.

F-3 Visa – Married Children of U.S. Citizens

The F-3 Visa is for married children of U.S. citizens and their families.

F-4 Visa – Siblings of U.S. Citizens

The F-4 Visa allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings, spouses, and minor children for immigration.

Key Points About the Sponsorship Visa Program

Eligibility Criteria:

Each visa category under the U.S. Sponsorship Visa program has its own set of specific eligibility requirements. These requirements include factors such as the sponsor's age, relationship status with the applicant, and financial capability to support the applicant.

Processing Time:

Note that processing times for sponsorship visas depend on the applicant's home country, whether they apply for permanent residency or temporary visa (some temporary visas can be sponsored), among other requirements, in order to apply for each type of visa. The sponsor and applicant should anticipate potential delays and enable time to be taken for the required steps to be finalized.

Legal Responsibilities:

Under U.S. immigration law, sponsors are supposed to do specific things. Such obligations can include committing to financially supporting the applicant for a particular duration of time, aiding their integration into U.S. society, and guaranteeing that they adhere to all necessary legal and immigration standards.

The USA Sponsorship Visa program offers multiple options for family reunification and guarantees the ability of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to bring loved ones to the country. Whether the candidate is sponsoring a spouse, child, or parent, certain qualifications must be met for a successful Visa Sponsorship application.

Why Choose Lalani & Associates for USA Sponsorship Visa?

Expert Guidance

Our experienced team offers personalized support through every step of the sponsorship visa process.

Comprehensive Services

We handle various visa categories, ensuring your specific needs are met with care and attention.

Efficient and Reliable

With a focus on speed and accuracy, we ensure a smooth, hassle-free application experience.

Trusted Experience

Decades of expertise in U.S. immigration law make us the ideal choice for your sponsorship visa journey.

Get in touch now and make your Sponsorship Visa of USA simple and stress-free!


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