For example, you can “sponsor” a relative for a green card by petitioning for the relative to come live with you. Learn about this lengthy, multi-step process here. She previously served as the blog editor for a major online fashion blog and has more than a decade of backstage experience in the beauty and high fashion industries. She has worked for businesses like an internationally renowned theatrical touring company and events such as the Mercedes-Benz N.Y.C. Fashion Week. An immigration sponsor often takes on a significant financial risk, which is why most immigration sponsorship occurs in an employment or family context. To sponsor, a company must show proof that the individual has full-time employment, and that they'll be paying a living, average wage for the task. However, if the 125% requirement can be met by any combination of the following 4 options, you may still qualify to be a sponsor. For example, if there are four people in your household, your total household income must be at least $30,312, according to the 2015 HHS Poverty Guidelines sheet supplied by the USCIS. While anyone is welcome to financially sponsor an immigrant, there are some basic income requirements that a sponsor must meet in order to be considered eligible for sponsorship. Gigi Starr is a freelance fashion writer. Similarly, the United States' diversity lottery awards green cards that allow non-citizens to work in the United States without immigration sponsorship. It is also possible for people to sponsor family members, including spouses, for immigration. The consular officer will make a decision regarding this requirement at the time of the … To “sponsor” someone means several different things in the immigration context. Skip to main content Lawyer directory. Other conditions and terms may apply, depending on the specifics of your case. Income Requirements. The process of immigration sponsorship can be arduous, particularly because immigration officials in many countries are concerned about the ability of new immigrants to support themselves without relying on public funds or welfare benefits. This information is not a complete list of the USCIS guidelines for sponsorship, and should not be considered as legal advice. There is a longer waiting period for non-immediate family processing. A family sponsor must be a United States citizen or Green Card holder. Hi Everyone, I had been unable to read my messages on NVC website but know that my documents had been DQ'd, however there was also a case FE review note on there that I just saw that said: " Brianna does not meet the minimum income requirement to sponsor the intending immigrants for this case. What Are the Different Types of Immigration Software? In all cases, the sponsor must prove viable income, vouch for the immigrant's reputation and be the government's "link" to the foreign citizen. Immigration sponsorship is the assumption of responsibility for a new immigrant by an individual or a business. To become a sponsor, U.S. For this reason, the United States State Department has guidelines and requirements that a sponsor must fulfill, as well as payment of fees, in order to qualify. Would like to sponsor an unrelated illegal immigrant whose husband had started the process and has since left the family. If the person you are sponsoring leaves the country and is no longer a permanent resident, or if the person dies, you are no longer responsible for that person’s financial support. It's important to hash out guidelines before anything is done. How long will the employee have to work for the company before Green Card sponsorship? Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters, Have Questions? What are the requirements to sponsor an illegal immigrant? “Sponsor” also means agreeing to be financially responsible for someone and proving to immigration officials that you can support that person. In some cases, it is possible for an individual to immigrate to a country without any form of sponsorship. USCIS guidelines list a minimum household income requirement for sponsors. The process of employment sponsorship may involve documenting the need for hiring that particular employee over local labor, as well as showing that the employee meets other immigration criteria, such as having a clean criminal record. The affidavit of support is a legally binding document, and once you sign it, you become responsible for the financial support of the immigrant. Immigration sponsorship for family members is often quite straightforward, with the sponsoring family member providing documentation of the family relationship, along with proof of her ability to support the family members after they arrive in their new country. In the case of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, there is no sponsorship option available by a citizen. There are two classes of relation which play a large part in dictating the waiting period for immigration. In the immigrant visa (Green Card) sponsorship process total costs can easily exceed $10,000, due to recruitment costs and CIS filing fees (particularly where additional family members are included)." On behalf of U.S. Law Center | Jul 22, 2015 | Family Immigration |. Immigration sponsorship for family members may include providing … How to Immigrate from Germany to the United States, Morse, Barnes-Brown and Pendleton: Managing Immigration Sponsorship, Table of Family Sponsorship by U.S. Citizen. Sponsorship for Family Immigration. To become a sponsor, U.S. This class is the one used for adoptions or marriage to a foreign citizen. Find a lawyer near you. An immigration sponsor often takes on a significant financial risk, which is why most immigration sponsorship occurs in an employment or family context. John J. Gallini, a writer for business law firm Morse, Barnes-Brown and Pendleton, notes that business sponsorship can be time-consuming and costly. Requirements for immigration sponsorship vary from country to country and may not even be necessary in some areas or under certain types of immigration visas. The sponsor acts as a "guarantor," vouching for the foreign party's good behavior, financial viability and honest intentions while on American soil. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. The expense of taking the next step requires that all parties be in agreement pertaining to performance and expectations. This sponsor can take the form of an individual (common in family cases) or a corporation (used for employee visas). Citizenship or completion of the work requirements are the two primary events that release you from the contract since these are the goals of the sponsorship. There are two classes of relation which play a large part in dictating the waiting period for immigration. © 2020 U.S. Law Center. Avvo has 97% of … This document states that you will be financially responsible for your family member until that person becomes a citizen or works in the country for 40 quarters of work, which typically takes about 10 years. In many countries, including the United States, immigration is a tightly controlled process that requires a potential immigrant to prove himself before being allowed to enter a country and establish a new life there. When no U.S. worker will do, or you've got an immigrant working for you on a temporary visa that you'd like to be able to hire permanently, it's time to enter the waters of green card sponsorship. There are not only forms guaranteeing the traveler's viability, but also agreements reached regarding payment of the sometimes high fees connected with sponsorship.