Sponsoring a loved one to immigrate can be both an exciting and daunting process. As the applicant for a visa, you have an advocate that supports your entry to the United States for the purposes stated in the visa. The most common way people get visa sponsorship is through family members or organizations advocating on their behalf. This post will give you all of the information you need about how they work, what they’re used for, and how immigrant visas change lives.
How Immigrant Visas Change Lives
Here is the list of things we will be talking about on this page and you get more to gain once you make a comment and request for more guide:
1. What are Immigrant Visas
2. The Difference Between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas
3. Who Qualifies for an Immigrant Visa
4. Sponsoring a Loved One to the United States
5. How Long Does it Take to Get an Immigrant Visa
6. Benefits of Being an American Citizen with Immigration Status
1. How Immigrant Visas Change Lives: What are Immigrant Visas?
Visa sponsorship is when a family member or organization advocates for an individual’s visa. As the applicant for a visa, it means you have an advocate that supports your entry to the United States for the purposes you will state in the visa.
Immigrant visas are for permanent immigration (green cards) and typically require some sort of sponsorship from a family member or an organization. It is important to note that the visa does not guarantee citizenship. However, it can lead to naturalization after living in the U.S. as a green card holder for five years with good moral character.
2. The Difference Between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas
Non-immigrant visas are for temporary immigration (such as tourism or business). Although, some non-immigrants like students and foreign workers may apply to become immigrants. The latter is referred to as a dual intent visa because they can both visit temporarily and immigrate in the future.
The most common form of sponsorship comes from immediate family members with U.S citizen status who file Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. It works by designating someone outside of the country as your sponsor when you cannot do it yourself due to legally being considered an βalienβ according to United States Law. This could be parents, children over 21 years old, siblings, spouses, or adult sons/daughters that already live here.
The next step is submitting the necessary documents. This is to prove that you have a qualifying relative along with evidence of your relationship.
If none of these are possible, other immigrant visa classifications exist which allow someone else to get sponsorship from their employer or through investment. There may even be cases where it could be an organization advocating for refugees who are fleeing war-torn countries because they cannot safely stay in their country of origin.
As long as you meet all requirements and can financially support yourself (able to earn 125% more than the Federal Poverty Guidelines ). There’s no reason why anyone should not pursue this process if they truly want to immigrate legally. It takes time but it’s much better than trying illegal methods, overstaying your welcome on a tourist visa, or marrying someone who’s already here.
3. Who Qualifies for an Immigrant Visa?
All immigrant visas require at least one family member to be a U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and file the petition on your behalf. The petitioner must show that they can financially support you until you become self-sufficient. You cannot currently be in deportation proceedings, and there are health requirements depending on what visa classification is chosen. Such as no communicable diseases, drug addiction/abuse, etc. If married, proof of marriage is required along with birth certificates for any children under 21 years old who will immigrate as well. You also need evidence of legal entry such as passport stamps showing when you’ve entered the United States legally over the past five years. Even if it wasn’t since obtaining an immigrant visa status like tourist visas.
These are just some examples of what an immigrant visa form looks like depending on the type you’re applying for. If it’s family-based, your petition would look something similar to this:
Family Sponsor Petition Form I-130
Dependents over 21 years old will have their own version in addition to birth certificates proving they’re related. Non-immigrant visas require a lot less documentation and would look like this:
Visa Sponsorship Form DS-3035
It’s best to get help from an immigration attorney for this process because of the complexities involved with each type. I am not one, so please consult your local bar association or search online.
4. How Immigrant Visas Change Lives: Sponsoring a Loved One to the United States
I am not an immigration attorney, but I have worked with immigrant visas for several years. If you need help filing a petition or are considering sponsoring someone to the United States, please contact me at any time. Thank you so much! Bye-bye π – And Continue with the rest Guide below;
5. How Long Does it Take to Get an Immigrant Visa?
This varies depending on the type of immigrant visa you qualify for. If it’s family-based, expect to wait at least one year (or more) until your petition gets approval and then another few months if applying from abroad for an interview. For employment or investment visas, immigrants will be required to pass a medical exam before being issued a conditional green card after two years. Permanent resident status can be obtained through marriage in as little as six months but usually takes around twelve because there are so many people immigrating each day. In any case, always consult with an immigration attorney first instead of trying to do this process alone that could potentially take several decades by going about it illegally! π
Who Qualifies
Family Sponsor Petition Form I-130 Dependents over 21 years old will have their own version in addition to birth certificates proving they’re related. Visa Sponsorship Form DS-3035 It’s best to get help from an immigration attorney because of the complexities involved with each type. How Long Does it Take? This varies depending on the immigrant status you qualify for. If it’s family-based, expect to wait at least one year (or more) until the petition is approved. Then another few months if applying from abroad for an interview.
For employment or investment visas, immigrants will be required to pass a medical exam before being issued a conditional green card after two years. Permanent resident status can be obtained through marriage in as little as six months. But usually takes around twelve because there are so many people immigrating each day. In any case, always consult with an immigration attorney first instead of going about the process illegally!
6. Benefits of Being an American Citizen with Immigration Status
Americans have the right to vote, attend public school and receive emergency medical care. In addition, they can easily apply for an EAD (employment authorization document) card which allows them to work legally in any field of their choosing until a more permanent solution is reached through immigration status. However, it’s important that immigrants understand there are some restrictions placed on non-citizens even with green cards or immigrant visas. This is because U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has jurisdiction over all individuals living within American borders! β¦ Visa applicants must prove they will not be a burden on society if admitted into the country. They do this by showing enough income from sponsorship sources as well as health insurance coverage before being approved for entry. It is best to consult with an immigration attorney about what each type of visa means for you and your family’s future in the United States!
Conclusion:
What does it take to get an immigrant visa? This varies depending on the type of immigrant status you qualify for. If it’s family-based, expect to wait at least a year (or more) until the petition is approved. Then another few months if applying from abroad. For employment or investment visas, immigrants will be required medical exam before being issued a conditional green card after two years. Permanent resident status can be obtained through marriage in as little as six months. But usually, twelve because there are so many people immigrating each day. In any case, consult with an immigration attorney first instead of trying to process.