Do you have a family member in the United States who is either a citizen or a permanent resident? (Green card holder).
Here is an opportunity for you to be reunited with your loved one and finally achieve the American dream, or you are a citizen or permanent resident with family members elsewhere.
The American government has a special category of visas dedicated to reuniting families.
Millions of families around the world have explored those opportunities to bring their families to the United States, offering them a path to US residency.
In this, article, we will help you navigate the family-based USA visa sponsorship, the eligibility, and the process for you or your loved one to achieve the American dream.
Family-Based US Visa Sponsorship
This visa category is strictly for citizens or permanent residents of the United States, for them to sponsor any of their eligible family members to travel to the United States to live and work so as to be reunited together.
Eligible Family Members for family-based USA visa sponsorship
The United States family-based USA visa sponsorship, has two main categories namely
Immediate Relative Visas
This visa category of the family-based USA visa sponsorship is available to only immediate (close) family members of a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
The waiting hours to obtain an immediate relative visa vary but are faster than other types of visas, and this visa type has no cap or annual quota for the number of visas issued, unlike the other visa category of family-based visas.
The immediate family visa list includes
- IR-1/CR-1: Spouses of US citizens(1R-1) or conditional permanent residents (CR-1).
- IR-2: Unmarried children (male and female) under 21 of US citizens
- IR-3: Orphans adopted outside the United States by citizens
- IR-4: Orphans to be adopted in the United States by Citizens
- IR-5: Both Parents (father and mother) of US citizens who are at least 21 years old.
Family Preference Visas
This type of visa category, allows US citizens or permanent residents to sponsor specific family members that are not immediate family to travel and live in the United States.
This visa category has a numerical cap/limit/quota which also translates to longer processing times.
The family preference visa includes
- F1: Unmarried children of US citizens
- F2A: Spouses (wife or husband) and children (male and female) of US permanent residents
- F2B: Unmarried children who are at least 21 years old of permanent residents
- F3: Married children of US citizens
- F4: Siblings (brothers and sisters) of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old.
Sponsorship Eligibility
Before you can sponsor a family member under any of the listed categories, you must meet these criteria.
- The sponsoring applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
- You must be financially capable of supporting the sponsored member or members of your family.
- The signing of an affidavit is required to legally bind you to your financial obligations to support the sponsored family member financially.
Documents Needed to Sponsor a Family Member
- Evidence of US citizenship or permanent residence: This can be done using a passport, birth certificate, or a United States green card
- Proof of Income: This can be done using an employment letter from an employer, tax returns, or pay stubs
- Proof relationship: You will be required to show your relationship with the person you want to sponsor and this can be done using a birth or marriage certificate
- Affidavit of Support: A legally binding document known as form I-864, is required.
Application Process for the US Family-Based Visa
The application procedure for the US family-based visa involves
Step 1 – File an Official Petition
The United States citizen or permanent resident who wishes to sponsor a family member must file form I-130, a petition for alien relative, and must prove the relationship with the family member either using a birth certificate, or marriage certificate and must also show proof of citizenship or permanent resident status after meeting the eligibility criteria for sponsorship.
Step 2 – Application Process
The United States citizen or permanent resident who wishes to sponsor a family member will have to submit form I-130, a petition for alien relative to the USCIS.
If approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a case number will be assigned for additional processing by the national visa center (NYC).
Step 3 – Visa Processing
The beneficiary will be required to file form DS-260 online.
This is the official form for immigrant visa application online, after filing the form, he or she will be required to undergo medical and background checks before an interview with the consulate or US embassy.
The interview will likely border on proving a relationship with the sponsor and intent of travel.
Step 4 – Visa Approved and Post-Approval
Congratulations if your visa is approved, you can finally be reunited with your loved one.
You will be required to travel to the United States within the stipulated time frame and upon arrival, your visa will be stamped which is a temporary proof for your legal stay before receiving a green card.