How to Sponsor an Immigrant for Work: Step by Step Instructions (2024)

FAQs

How to Sponsor an Immigrant for Work: Step by Step Instructions? ›

First, your employer is required to get an approved Labor Certification from the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Second, your employer must file an immigrant petition on your behalf (Form I-140). Third, you are required to either adjust status (Form I-485) or apply for your immigrant visa (Form DS-260).

First, your employer is required to get an approved Labor Certification from the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Second, your employer must file an immigrant petition on your behalf (Form I-140). Third, you are required to either adjust status (Form I-485) or apply for your immigrant visa (Form DS-260).

Process. To sponsor a family member, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file a petition on their behalf. The specific form required depends on the relationship with the beneficiary, but some of the most common forms are Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support).

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.

Sponsoring a foreign worker involves initiating and supporting the visa application process, providing a job offer, filing the necessary applications and petitions, and fulfilling legal obligations to enable foreign workers to legally work in a country.

Companies can expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 per petition, depending on the case's complexity. Filing Fees: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges filing fees for nonimmigrant visa petitions.

The most common fees for nonimmigrant work visa sponsorship are: Petition fee: $460. Application fee: $190. American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act charges: $750 to $1,500.

How long are you financially responsible for someone you sponsor? ›

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.

The sponsor will need to file Form I-864P, which is used to determine the minimum income requirement needed to file Form I-864 (the Affidavit of Support). The financial sponsor can also use assets (not just income) to meet these requirements. Assets include cash, stocks and bonds, and property (for example, a home).

These are the direct costs you should expect when sponsoring an immigrant: Filing fees for all necessary forms (check the filing costs with the USCIS fee calculator) Required medical exam fees if the person you're sponsoring needs help covering the cost. Immigrant visa processing fees and special services.

A sponsor must pay the following visa sponsorship costs: cost of becoming a sponsor; nomination charges; and. migration agent costs associated with sponsorship and nomination applications.

The Foreign-Worker Sponsorship Timeline

This can take anywhere from six months to several years to complete. Obtaining approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of an I-140 petition on behalf of the foreign worker.

It costs approximately $4000 to sponsor a work visa but may cost $8,000-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.

Financially sponsoring an immigrant doesn't involve specific fees or costs. You must file an affidavit of support (Form I-864), which is free to file. However, many sponsors elect to pay for the costs of the immigration process as well. These costs can range from around $1,000 up to $2,000.

Joint sponsors must submit the following three documents: 1) USCIS Form I-864 2) Most recent federal income tax return: IRS-generated transcript (preferred) or Form 1040 3) Proof of legal status in the United States (i.e. a copy of their U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or naturalization certificate).