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Information for Family Sponsors of Immigrants
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If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you probably have numerous questions about how you can help bring your foreign-born family members to the United States: Who can you sponsor for a green card? How long will it take? What will your financial obligations be? What if you change your mind? Get answers here.
Your Role as an Immigrant Sponsor
What it means to sponsor an immigrant for a U.S. green card, and who you can sponsor.
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who agrees to petition for someone to immigrate, you must agree to sponsor that person financially, as well.
Considerations for prospective petitioner/sponsors of immigrants to the U.S.
More about the financial sponsorship aspect of petitioning a relative for U.S. immigration.
Petitioner's View of the Application Process
From I-130 visa petition to visa or green card interview, how the process will play out from the U.S. citizen or resident's standpoint.
How preparation time, annual limits on visas, and government backlogs affect the length of time your relative will wait for U.S. permanent residence.
Your First Task: The I-130 Visa Petition
Important tips for filling out and submitting the initial visa petition on behalf of an immigrating family member.
When you can expect an answer to whether the immigrant can apply for a green card based on your petition.
How the I-130 fits into the application process, and other topics that commonly cause confusion.
The costs associated with filing an I-130 petition will vary depending on how many relatives you wish to sponsor and whether or not you decide to use the help of an immigration attorney.
After Filing the Initial Visa Petition
What to do if you realize that sponsoring an immigrant family member was a mistake.
What happens if you marry and sponsor an immigrant, and the marriage ends.
Preparing for the worst.
When the U.S. Sponsor Has a Criminal Record
U.S. immigration law prohibits people convicted of certain crimes from filing family-based visa petitions.
Bars to petitioning for a fiance when the petitioner has a criminal record.
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