If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Learn about the process and who is eligible.
Categories of people eligible for family immigrant visas
Applying for a family-based immigrant visa is the first step in the process for the person you are sponsoring to become a permanent resident. There are two categories of this type of visa:
Immediate relative visas
These visas are for close relatives of U.S. citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, or parents. An unlimited number of visas are available for this visa category. These visas include:
- IR1 and CR1 for spouses
- IR2 for children
- IR5 for parents
Family preference visas
A limited number of family preference visas are set aside each year for:
- Other relatives of a U.S. citizen, such as eligible children or siblings. These include:
- F1 visas unmarried children who are 21 years of age or older
- F3 visas for married children
- F4 visas for siblings
- The spouse and unmarried children of legal permanent residents (Green Card holders). These include:
- F2A visas for spouses and unmarried children under age 21
- F2B visas for unmarried children who are 21 years of age or older
Check the U.S. Department of State’s chart of immigrant visa categories to learn more about each category of immediate relative and family sponsored visas.
How to apply for permanent residency for a family member
To sponsor your family member, submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130. Each person you sponsor needs a separate Form I-130. You can submit the form online or by mail.
The process for your relative to immigrate to the U.S. requires that both you, as the sponsor, and your relative, as the visa applicant, complete the necessary steps.
The process is different depending on whether your family member is already in the U.S. or abroad.
Submitting Form I-130 is the first step of the immigration visa process. Learn what other steps are involved, including:
- National Visa Center (NVC) processing
- Fee payments
- Required supporting documents
- Interview preparation
LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023
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FAQs
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Learn about the process and who is eligible.
How much does it cost to sponsor a relative to US? ›
Common green card costs and fees (2024)
| Government Form | Who Must File It | Filing Fee |
|---|
| Form I-485 (Green Card Application) | Relative seeking a green card | $1440; $950 if you're under 14. |
| Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) | Relative seeking a green card (completed by a medical professional) | $0 |
11 more rowsNo, lawful permanent residents cannot petition for their siblings. In order to petition for your sibling to come to the United States, you must be a U.S. citizen. If you have gone through the naturalization process and have become a U.S. citizen, then you may.
Can I sponsor a green card for my nephew? ›
U.S. immigration law does not allow direct petitions for nephews and nieces. However, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident applicant may first apply for his or her brother or sister and once they obtain their residency, they may apply for their child.
Can I sponsor an immigrant that is a non family member USA? ›
They often need to “sponsor” them – file some paperwork, usually Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to show the government they are willing to provide financial support. While one can only file an immigration petition for their family members, one can sponsor an immigrant, even if the immigrant is not his relative.
Can I sponsor an immigrant that is a cousin? ›
US citizen grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration. There is an annual quota for visas in the following categories. See for visa waiting periods. For additional information, see website or the website.
How long does it take to sponsor a relative to US? ›
Spouses, dependent children, and parents of US citizens tend to have shorter waiting times than other family members. Between October 2022 and September 2023, the median wait time for spouses, dependent children, and parents was 11.8 months nationally, while petitions for fiancé(e)s had a median wait of 13.9 months.
How much do I need to make to sponsor a family member? ›
2024 Minimum Annual Income Requirements for Most Sponsors: 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Number of people in your household (including yourself and your spouse)* | For sponsors in the 48 contiguous states, D.C., and U.S. territories | For sponsors in Alaska |
|---|
| 2 | $25,550 | $31,925 |
| 3 | $32,275 | $40,338 |
| 4 | $39,000 | $48,750 |
| 5 | $45,725 | $57,163 |
4 more rowsMost importantly, not every familial relationship satisfies the requirements for sponsorship. United States citizens can sponsor their spouse, children, parents, brothers, and sisters. It is also important to note that United States citizens wishing to sponsor their parents must be at least 21 years old.
What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant? ›
The minimum income requirement for sponsoring an immigrant ranges from $22,888 for a 2-person civilian household to $58,288 for an 8-person civilian household.
I-864P, 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
|---|
| 2 | $23,500 | $29,375 |
| 3 | $29,690 | $37,113 |
| 4 | $35,880 | $44,850 |
| 5 | $42,070 | $52,588 |
5 more rowsMar 1, 2024
An Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor's financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act.
Which family members can you sponsor for green card? ›
The law gives special consideration to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, which includes a U.S. citizen's spouse, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents. There is no waiting list to immigrate these relatives.
Can I sponsor my niece for a green card? ›
US immigration laws and regulations don't allow US permanent residents or citizens to sponsor a niece for US green card.
Can I sponsor my sister for a green card? ›
Brothers and sisters are included among the family members citizens can sponsor for a green card. As a note, a citizen has to be at least 21 to petition for a green card for a sibling. The siblings U.S. citizens are allowed to sponsor are not limited to just full biological siblings.
How do I sponsor a relative immigrant? ›
on a relative petition must have a financial sponsor.
If you choose to sponsor your relative's immigration by filing a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, you must agree to be the financial sponsor and file an affidavit of support when the time comes for actual immigration.
Who is eligible relative sponsorship? ›
An eligible relative can be: a parent. a child or step-child. a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister.
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a niece? ›
No - as a Legal Permanent Resident you are only eligible to apply for the following relatives: Your spouse; Your unmarried child under 21 years of age; or. Your unmarried son or daughter 21 years of age or older.
Who is considered a relative for immigration purposes? ›
You are an immediate relative if you are: The spouse of a U.S. citizen; The unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen; or. The parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).
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