Understanding The United States’ Visa Sponsorship

There are different types of visas and ways to get into the United States legally. An immigrant visa lets you live in the US forever, while a non-immigrant visa is for short visits. No matter what visa you are after, you might need someone to support your visa application. This support can make the whole process a lot easier. When someone sponsors your visa, they are helping your application succeed. To be eligible for this help, you need to meet certain requirements.

If you need help figuring out if you qualify for a US visa sponsorship, an immigration lawyer can help. Being sponsored means you have someone on your side, ensuring you meet the visa’s rules. Usually, there is a cost involved in getting sponsored. This could mean companies help you get a temporary work visa (like an H1-B) or organizations look after your visitor visa (like a J-1). Getting sponsored starts with petitions.

A person or company in the US files a petition for you. In this case, the sponsors are the ones asking for help. If the petition is successful, you will probably get the visa you applied for. Getting the hang of the US visa sponsorship can be tricky, so looking into the details below is important.

The meaning of US visa sponsorship

Getting a US visa sponsorship is how someone from another country can legally live in the US. A visa sponsor is someone in the US who agrees to help someone else get a visa and takes care of that person while living and working legally in the US. For example, if you are a company or a US employer considering hiring someone from another country to work at your company in the US, you are starting the US visa sponsorship process for a work visa.

It is important to remember that this process is long and tough and requires patience, organization, and motivation to bring in your new employee. The employer and the person getting the visa must be committed to the process to make it work. Before you start the visa sponsorship, make sure the person you want to hire is special or has a job that is hard to find in the US for American workers or people who don’t have visas.

In other words, a US company or person agrees to care for someone from another country while they are here. This agreement is needed to get many kinds of visas. When we talk about “sponsorship,” we refer to a US citizen, someone who has been here legally, or a company like an employer helping someone from another country get their visa. This helps show the US government that the person has a good reason to be here and that there is someone in the US to look after them while they are here.

The sponsor usually ensures the person follows their visa rules and doesn’t need government help.

Forms of US Visa Sponsorship

Various forms of US visa sponsorship are available, depending on your nationality and the specific visa you require. An immigration lawyer can guide you through selecting the appropriate US visa sponsorship. Here are a few common types of US visa sponsorships:

• Family-based US visa sponsorship.

If you are a US citizen or a permanent resident, you might be eligible to sponsor a close family member or a fiancé for their visa application. This is among the most prevalent forms of US visa sponsorship. For US citizens or permanent residents, the US visa sponsorship process begins with submitting a petition for a family member (Form I-130). Additional forms may be necessary, but this is the initial step. There are numerous family-based visa categories for both short-term and long-term immigration. Examples of family-based visa US visa sponsorships include:

• Obtaining a green card.

Family sponsorship is the primary method for securing green cards. Over half a million individuals receive green cards through family connections annually. Sponsorship typically originates from the relative petitioning but can also come from others. The petitioner is the individual initiating the petition. If they lack the financial means to sponsor someone, another person must step in. This involves completing form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and other documents to demonstrate family ties. Certain family members may also contribute their earnings.

A joint sponsor can also submit another form I-864. Consulting with an immigration lawyer can provide further details on this US visa sponsorship option.

• K-1 visas.

If you are a US citizen, you can petition your fiancé for a visa to come to the US for marriage. The process begins with you filing a petition for an alien relative (Form I-129F) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition must establish a qualifying relationship between you and the foreign national. Upon USCIS’s petition approval, your fiancé can apply for a K-1 visa at a US Embassy or consulate.

You might also be eligible for financial sponsorship from a US citizen to assist with the K-1 visa application. You must complete form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) to secure the necessary funds. This document will facilitate the financial support required for the trip. This arrangement ensures that your fiancé does not depend on the US government for financial assistance if you cannot provide the funds yourself.

• Visiting the US.

If you are trying to get a visitor visa to the US, you might need a family member to back you up. A sponsor helps the government see that you will be okay on your own and makes it easier for them to say yes to your visa. Most people with a B-2 visa don’t need a sponsor. If you are visiting from another country and doing well financially, you can get a visa without needing a sponsor. But if you find a family member to sponsor you, they promise to pay for your trip if you can’t afford it.

This way, you don’t have to worry about causing any trouble. To sponsor someone, you must fill out form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) and send a letter inviting them, along with other papers showing you can afford the trip.

• The application process for family-based US visa sponsorship.

The first step is to check if you can be a sponsor. If you are a US citizen or have permanent residency, you must show that you are legally allowed to be a sponsor and are related to the person you are sponsoring. The next step is to send in your petition. You then fill out Form I-130, a request form for someone from another country to live with you in the US. You send this form off to the US government’s people who handle immigration.

After this, your petition will be considered for approval. The government’s people check out your application. If they say yes, they send it to the National Visa Center (NVC). From the point of approval, you need to handle things at the NVC. At the NVC, they ensure you have paid the right fees, have a few important documents and statements from people who are supposed to support you and set up a date for you to come to the US embassy or consulate where the person you are sponsoring is from.

The person you are sponsoring fills out a visa form and goes to the interview. If everything checks out, you get the approval to come to the US.

• The US visa sponsorship is for foreign workers to get a job in the US.

When US companies can’t find the right people in the US, they can use different programs to bring in workers from other countries. This way, they can attract talent worldwide to work in the US. These jobs can be short-term or long-term; some might even lead to permanent residency. There are a few work visa types for foreign workers with special skills, with the H1-B visa being the most popular. This visa is temporary and needs to be renewed every so often.

The idea behind this US visa sponsorship is that an employer agrees to help someone else get a visa if they think that person is skilled and lives outside the US. But, it is not easy for employers to sponsor someone else’s visa. They must show that they have looked everywhere in the US for a US worker before they can sponsor someone from another country to get a US visa. Employers who sponsor a work visa help with the application, deal with the paperwork for getting a work permit and start the process.

It is a good idea for people who want to get a green card to get help from an immigration lawyer to make sure everything goes smoothly.

• The application process for job-related US visa sponsorship.

1. Obtaining a labor certification (if necessary). The employer might need a labor certification from the Department of Labor.
2. Submit the Petition. For non-immigrant employees, the employer submits Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, or any other appropriate form to USCIS.
3. Review and approval by USCIS. USCIS examines the petition and, if it is approved, forwards it to the NVC.
4. NVC handling and interview arrangements. This step is similar to the process for family-based visas, where the NVC handles the application and sets up an interview.
5. Completion of visa application and interview. The employee finishes the visa application process and goes to the interview.
6. Approval of visa and entry into the US. After approval, the employee receives a visa to come to the US.

• Self sponsorship.

People from other countries must know that not everyone can get a green card alone. But to self-sponsor, you need to fill out Form I-360, which is based on your situation, like being a widow or widower, a victim of domestic violence, or something special like being a special immigrant. You can also apply for a work visa for those with special skills. Unlike someone sponsoring you, you don’t need someone to pay for it in this case.

You must follow the rules set by USCIS. It is a good idea to talk to an immigration lawyer to ensure that sponsoring your visa goes smoothly.

Get help!

Obtaining a US visa sponsorship can be a complex procedure for both the person offering the sponsorship and the individual seeking it. However, with the proper legal assistance, it can become a thrilling experience. At Gehi and Associates, we guarantee you will receive the necessary support to complete the US visa sponsorship process successfully. Our services are readily available for all your immigration needs. Are you prepared to begin your journey towards US visa sponsorship? Contact us immediately!