Questions About
Family Sponsorship
What is “Family Sponsorship”?
We call Family Sponsorship to the process of doing a petition for direct family members (spouse, children, parents or siblings), in order to bring them to the US to live with us.
Who can Apply for this process?
You have to be a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident Holder
What form do I need to file?
How much does it cost?
535 to USCIS, this price may vary depending on your situation. Remember every case is unique.
Who can I sponsor?
A U.S. citizen may petition for certain family members
Spouses of U.S. citizens,
Children (unmarried and under 21) of U.S. citizens
Parents of U.S. citizens (The petitioning citizen must be 21 or older.)
Unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old;
Married son or daughter of any age
Brother (s) or Sisters(s), if you are at least 21 years old.
As a Green Card holder (permanent resident), you may petition for certain family members to immigrate to the United States as permanent residents.
Spouse (husband or wife)
Unmarried children under 21
Unmarried son or daughter of any age
How long does it takes to received my green card?
The average period of time right now, it’s between 12 to 20 month. But If you are lucky and USCIS review your paperwork and does not request evidence from you, you may have your green card in 6-8 months.
Can I travel to the US with my tourist visa if my case is still pending?
If you are out of the United States and your spouse made a petition for you while you live outside, you CAN travel to the US with your tourist visa.
Can I travel outside the US while my case is pending?
If you are inside the US and your spouse made a petition for you, we recommend to stay in the US while their case is approved.
If I made a petition for my spouse, are my children include in the petition?
If you are a Permanent Resident and your children are under 18 and unmarried, they can be include in the petition.
If you are a US Citizen, you need to make a petition for each of your children.
If I sponsor my mother, can I bring my dad in the same petition?
No, you need to make a separate petition for your father.
Do I have to wait until I have 2 or more years married, to make a petition for my spouse?
The answer is NO, you can apply for your spouse as soon as you get married.
If I’VE been married for a long time, my process will be faster?
Everything depends on USCIS, even if you have been married for a long time, IF USCIS decides that they need more evidence, your wait time can be longer that expected.
What you can do, is provide them with all the information and documentation they need from the beginning. In that case, USCIS may avoid requesting more evidence and wouldn’t delay the process.
If I want to sponsor my son, but I’m not in his birth certificate, can I apply for him?
Yes. You can take a DNA test and also is necessary to provide photos with your son to USCIS, so that you can demonstrate the existing relationship.
How long do I have to wait if I made a petition for my brother or sister?
Depends on the country of origin:
Philippines: 19 years
Mexico: 22 years
Standard (any other country): 14 years
If i Am a Us citizen but do not live in the US, Can i still petition for a parent/spouse/child?
You need to have a residence in the US in order to apply.
Can my beneficiary travel to the U.S if they have a Visa while i have a 2 step petition out of the country?
Yes, If the visa remain valid, you can do it.
