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

Can you sponsor a non-relative friend for a Green Card?

Unfortunately, you cannot petition for a foreign national’s visa or green card unless you are their family member or current or prospective employer. However, you can still help a friend. You can financially sponsor your friend’s immigration petition by filling out and filing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Under US law, every foreign national who immigrates via a family-based petition must have a financial sponsor. If your friend has a family member who is able to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative but can’t provide the financial support required by law, you can become a joint sponsor and agree to provide financial help.

3 Steps: How To Financially Sponsor an Immigrant Friend

While you can’t directly sponsor a non-relative friend, you still have the option to offer financial support and protection for an immigrant entering the US. Here’s what you need to do to become a joint financial sponsor for a friend.

1) Meet the eligibility requirements to become a financial sponsor.

As a joint financial sponsor for your friend’s visa application, you must meet all the relevant sponsorship requirements separately from their primary relative sponsor. According to the USCIS, a joint sponsor must:

  • Be a US citizen or green-card holder
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Live in the US or its territories
  • Meet or exceed the minimum income requirements

2) Satisfy the income requirements.

The USCIS imposes minimum income requirements, which you must meet or exceed in order to be a financial sponsor for a foreign national immigrating to the US. These requirements are in place to ensure that the immigrant doesn’t become a “public charge,” meaning reliant on government financial assistance.

In order to financially sponsor your friend, you’ll need to prove that your household income is at least 125% of the US poverty level according to guidelines provided by the USCIS in conjunction with the US Department of Health and Human Services.

3) File an Affidavit of Support

To file an Affidavit of Support, the primary petitioner (family member) and the financial sponsor (you) need to fill out Form I-864 and submit the completed form along with any additional supporting documentation to the National Visa Center (NVC).

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

FAQs

How to Sponsor an Immigrant Friend: Step by Step Instructions? ›

You can financially sponsor your friend's immigration petition by filling out and filing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Under US law, every foreign national who immigrates via a family-based petition must have a financial sponsor.

How to sponsor an immigrant friend? ›

You can financially sponsor your friend's immigration petition by filling out and filing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Under US law, every foreign national who immigrates via a family-based petition must have a financial sponsor.

How much money do I need to sponsor a friend? ›

Minimum Annual Income For Non-Military Sponsors in 2022
Sponsor's Household Size (by number of people, including sponsor and spouse)Sponsors in the 48 continental states, D.C., and U.S. territoriesSponsors in Hawaii
2$22,887$26,325
3$28,787$33,112
4$34,687$39,900
5$39,900$46,687
3 more rows

What information is needed to sponsor an immigrant? ›

All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support. When and how do I file the affidavit of support? You do not need to file it with your I-130 petition.

Can I sponsor my friend to visit the USA? ›

Under the U.S. federal law, applicants must apply on their own to visit the United States. A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa.

How much money do you need to sponsor someone in the US? ›

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. territoriesFor 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 rows

How can I legally sponsor someone? ›

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.

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.

What documents are needed for sponsorship? ›

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).

What income is required to sponsor an immigrant? ›

I-864P, 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
Sponsor's Household Size100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*
For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or childFor all other sponsors
2$25,540$31,925
3$32,270$40,338
4$39,000$48,750
5 more rows
Mar 1, 2024

Can you sponsor an immigrant without a job? ›

There are also ways to get a green card without a US company sponsor. Two of these ways are: (1) the EB1A visa; and (2) the National Interest Waiver. Through both of these options, you do not need a job offer and you do not need a company to file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf.

How much assets do I need to sponsor an immigrant? ›

The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.

Is there a fee to sponsor an immigrant? ›

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.

Can I sponsor an immigrant that is a non-family member? ›

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.

What do I need to invite a friend to USA? ›

An invitation from you: Write a letter in English to your relative, stating (1) whom you are inviting, (2) the purpose of the visit (for example, vacation, attend graduation, meet a new baby), (3) the dates (even approximate dates) of the visit, (4) what financial support you are offering (for example, cost of travel, ...

How much bank balance is required for a US tourist visa? ›

So, what's the Minimum bank balance for a US visitor visa? We recommend showing a minimum of $6000-10000$ in your statement.

Can we sponsor a friend? ›

Currently there is no direct sponsorship program for friend of Canadian citizen or permanent resident. However, friends of permanent residents or Canadian citizens may apply for visitor visa, if they are from non-visa-exempt country. Visa office will ask to submit a letter of invitation from friend living in Canada.

What happens if you sponsor someone? ›

A sponsor is liable for the intended immigrant until one of the following events occurs: The immigrant successfully becomes a U.S. citizen. The immigrant earns approximately ten years of credited work toward social security (40 quarters). The immigrant permanently leaves the U.S. or dies.

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