Secure permanent residency for your loved ones with professional sponsorship assistance.

Sponsoring a Spouse

Sponsoring a spouse for permanent residency in the United States is a significant step toward building a future together. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR/Green Card holder), the process and eligibility criteria differ slightly. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a smooth sponsorship journey.

Who Can Sponsor Their Spouse?

To sponsor your spouse, you must meet the following basic criteria:

Be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder).
Be at least 18 years old.
Have sufficient financial means to support your spouse and prove that they will not become a public charge.
Be in a legitimate, bona fide marriage, not one entered solely for immigration benefits.

Spousal Sponsorship Requirements

Both U.S. citizens and Green Card holders must submit:

Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to establish the spousal relationship.
Proof of a bona fide marriage, such as joint bank accounts, lease agreements, and photos.
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to demonstrate financial ability to support the spouse.
Medical examination and vaccination records for the sponsored spouse.

Spousal Sponsorship Process

The process differs depending on whether the spouse is inside or outside the U.S.:

Filing the Petition (Form I-130): Submit to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing:
- If the spouse is inside the U.S., they may file Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) to obtain a Green Card.
- If the spouse is outside the U.S., they must go through consular processing, attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Interview & Approval: Both partners may need to attend an interview to confirm the legitimacy of the marriage.
Green Card Issuance: If approved, the spouse receives either a conditional Green Card (if married less than 2 years) or a 10-year Green Card (if married for more than 2 years).

Benefits of Spousal Sponsorship

Allows married couples to build a life together in the U.S.
Spouses of U.S. citizens can obtain work authorization while awaiting Green Card approval.
After three years as a Green Card holder, the spouse may apply for U.S. citizenship (if married to a U.S. citizen).

Sponsoring Parents

U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to can sponsor their parents to immigrate to the United States. Parents are considered immediate relatives, which means they are not subject to numerical caps. Key steps in this process include filing Form I-130 to establish the relationship, providing financial evidence to meet sponsorship requirements, and ensuring the parent passes medical examinations and security screenings.

It’s important to note that this pathway is only available to U.S. citizens, and not available to permanent residents.

Sponsoring Children

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their children through several visa categories based on the child’s age and marital status:

IR-2 Visa: For unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens.
F1 Visa: For unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens.
F3 Visa: For married children of U.S. citizens.
F2A Visa: For children of permanent residents, under 21.
F2B Visa: For unmarried children over 21 of permanent residents.

For adopting children under 16, applicants should follow the Hague or Orphan processes depending on the country of origin. Each category requires thorough documentation to prove the biological, legal, or adoptive relationship and the sponsor’s ability to meet financial requirements.

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Sponsoring Spouses, Parents, and Children

Reuniting families is a fundamental pillar of U.S. immigration law. For U.S. citizens, the ability to sponsor spouses, parents, and children is seen as an extension of their constitutional right to marry, build a family, and live with loved ones. Immigration law prioritizes family reunification because it strengthens communities, improves financial stability, and supports the integration of new immigrants into society.