Affordable Green Card Lawyer

Green Card holders who sponsor a spouse or children will go onto a waiting list once the sponsor's petition is approved. The same is true for children of US relatives who are adults and over the age of 21. They must wait for a priority date (the date the USCIS accepts the sponsor's petition). A non-immediate relative whose visa expires while waiting for an immigrant visa must leave the US in order to get their sponsored immigrant visa. You can talk to your unbundled provider attorney to discuss how best to protect your rights in applying for a green card to live and work in the US.

Family Preference Sponsorship

US citizens who have family members who do not qualify as immediate family under the USCIS categories and wish to sponsor an immigrant alien may do so under the USCIS family preference category.

Immigrant aliens in the F-1 category are unmarried children of US citizens of any age. Spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents over the age of 21 are in the F-2 category. US citizens sponsoring married children fall into the F-3 category. US citizens sponsoring brothers or sisters are in the F-4 category. You can discuss the category that best fits your personal circumstances by talking with your unbundled provider attorney.

Employer-Based Sponsorship

You can become eligible to obtain a green card and permanent US residency through an offer of employment.

In order to hire a foreign worker, an employer must file for a certificate of labor with the US Department of Labor. This application process looks at whether the type of job being offered adversely affects US worker wages or working conditions. In addition, the Department of Labor certifies that there are insufficient US workers who are willing and able to perform that type of work.

There are also a limited number of green card applications available through special categories such as investors whose investment in the US generates new jobs. An alien may self-petition if there is a US national interest involved, or if the applicant has extraordinary ability. There are a number of special categories and exceptions that your unbundled provider attorney can discuss with you to protect your rights to apply for a green card.

Sponsorship Responsibilities

The sponsor of an immigrant-applicant for a green card accepts certain responsibilities which are contained in form I-864, the Affidavit of Support. To qualify as a sponsor, the petitioner for an alien must be 18-years of age, reside in the US (or a US territory or possession), and be a US citizen or permanent resident.

A sponsor must meet income requirements as well. These financial obligations for a sponsor are intended to discourage sponsored immigrants from applying for or receiving public benefits before they become US citizens. A sponsor can be held responsible to pay back any benefits obtained illegally by the sponsored alien. A sponsor unable to meet the minimum income requirement can seek out a joint-sponsor in order to bring their combined incomes up to the required minimums.

Get the Legal Assistance Needed to Obtain a Green Card

There are many different paths to obtaining a green card, most of which require the help of a sponsor. There are also a number of requirements and considerations to be aware of before you file. Your unbundled provider attorney will consult with you on your rights and options, advise you on your eligibility to obtain a green card, and assist you with the steps involved with applying for a green card and becoming a permanent resident of the United States.

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