Moving to the United States from another country is a major undertaking. One of the primary steps is to get the immigration documents you need so you can enjoy a lawful presence in this country. For many people, this means they need to have a family member sponsor them.
There are limits and requirements about who can sponsor a family member to come into this country. The person in the U.S. must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR), and they must be 21 years old. There are specific differences in who citizens can sponsor and who LPRs can sponsor.
Who can citizens sponsor?
Citizens can bring their spouse, parent, or child to the U.S. Because these are considered immediate family visas, there isn’t a limit to how many can be issued each fiscal year.
Citizens can also sponsor their siblings to come to the U.S. Sibling visas are known as family preference visas, which are only available in a limited quantity each year. This means that it may take a while for loved ones in this category to receive approval.
Who can LPRs sponsor?
LPRs are much more limited in who they can sponsor. These include their unmarried children and their spouses. They can only sponsor people for a family preference visa, so the number available is limited each fiscal year.
Immigration is an area that changes often. It’s critical to handle things according to all applicable policies and laws. Working with someone who’s familiar with these and who can assist you with the entire process is beneficial.