Sponsorship

"The United States of America is renowned globally as a prime immigration destination, offering abundant opportunities for individuals to forge new beginnings, pursue aspirations, and elevate their quality of life through the Sponsorship Visa program.

A sponsorship visa, also known as a family-based visa, allows a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a foreign national for immigration to the United States. Typically utilized by family members of U.S. citizens and residents, this visa requires the sponsor to file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition must include proof of the qualifying relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, along with all necessary supporting documents.

Once approved, the applicant receives a priority date, determining their place in the visa queue. If abroad when the visa becomes available, applicants must attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. For those already within the United States, adjusting status to permanent resident may be possible without leaving the country."

Establishing a Qualifying Relationship for a Sponsorship Visa in the USA

To qualify for a sponsorship visa in the United States, you must have a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor. The qualifying relationships include:

- Spouse

- Parent

- Child (including stepchild and adopted child)

- Sibling (including half-sibling and stepsibling)

- Fiancé(e)

In addition to having a qualifying relationship, you must meet other eligibility requirements, such as passing a medical exam and obtaining a police certificate.

**Fulfilling Sponsorship Responsibilities**

When you are sponsored by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your sponsor assumes specific responsibilities:

- Financially supporting you for a specified period

- Agreeing to reimburse any public funds you receive during this period

- Assisting you in adjusting to life in the United States

The sponsor's financial obligations begin upon your arrival in the country and generally continue for ten years.

**Spousal Sponsorship – IR-1**

The IR-1 visa category allows U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor their foreign spouses to reunite in the U.S. Requirements include:

- Legal marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

- The sponsor residing in the U.S. with a valid address and proof of residency status

- Sufficient financial resources to support the foreign spouse

**Fiancé(e) Visa – K-1**

The K-1 visa is for individuals residing outside the U.S. who intend to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. Eligibility criteria include:

- Both parties being above 18 years old and unmarried (with evidence of any prior marriages being dissolved)

- Meeting in person within the past two years, unless exempted under special circumstances

- The U.S. citizen having adequate financial resources to sponsor their fiancé(e)

**Unmarried Child Under 21 of a U.S. Citizen – USA IR-2**

The IR-2 visa allows unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens to live, study, and eventually apply for a green card in the U.S. Requirements include:

- The child being under 21 and unmarried

- Residing outside the U.S.

- The child and U.S. citizen parent having lived together for at least two years

- The parent being a U.S. citizen

**Orphan Adopted Abroad by a U.S. Citizen – USA IR-3**

The IR-3 visa allows U.S. citizens to adopt foreign children and bring them to the U.S. Requirements include:

- The child being under 21 and from a country eligible for adoption under U.S. laws

- Meeting adoption requirements under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act

- The U.S. citizen parent having a valid U.S. residence and passing adoption eligibility tests

**Orphan to be Adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. Citizen – USA IR-4**

The IR-4 visa allows U.S. citizens to complete the adoption process after bringing the child to the U.S. Requirements include:

- The child being under 21 and from a country eligible for adoption under U.S. laws

- Meeting adoption requirements under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act

- The U.S. citizen parent having a valid U.S. residence and passing adoption eligibility tests

**Family Preference Visa**

The family preference visa includes categories such as F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4, based on the relationship with the U.S. citizen. These visas are available for unmarried children, spouses, married children, and siblings of U.S. citizens, respectively.

**Parent of a U.S. Citizen Who is at Least 21 Years – USA IR-5**

The IR-5 visa allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their parents to live in the U.S. Requirements include:

- The U.S. citizen being at least 21 years old

- Sufficient financial resources to support the parents

- Proof of relationship through a valid birth certificate

For more detailed information, please contact our senior immigration consultants and advisors.