Coming to the United States is a dream of many people. For some, the process is a little less intensive because they can have a family member sponsor them. This is only possible if the familial relationship is one that’s acceptable for immigration purposes.
One of the factors that has a considerable impact on who can be a sponsor for which family members is the sponsor’s status in the U.S. Citizens have a longer list of who they can sponsor than people who are legal permanent residents.
Differences between citizens and green card holders
U.S. citizens who are 21 and older can sponsor their:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
Spouses, parents and unmarried children who are under 21 are considered immediate relatives, which means that there’s no limit to how many in the category can enter the U.S. annually. Other relatives are part of the family preference system, which has a limit to how many are accepted in the U.S. each year.
Green card holders can only sponsor their spouse and unmarried children. All of these petitions fall under the family preference system and are subject to the annual caps.
Even with sponsorship, there are steps that the potential immigrant has to comply with. These are similar to the ones that anyone else would go through, so it’s critical that they understand exactly what the process entails.
Ensuring that everything is in order when you want to bring a loved one to the U.S. can help to make the process as expeditious as possible. Because immigration policies and guidelines are frequently changing, it’s best for anyone who wants to sponsor someone to have assistance throughout the process.