If you need to enter the US legally, there are several types of visas and different ways to get one. An immigrant visa is a type of visa that allows someone to enter the United States permanently, while a person with a non-immigrant visa is only in the US temporarily. No matter the type of visa you seek, sometimes you might need to get someone to sponsor your visa application.

It will make your visa application much easier. Visa sponsorship is when someone else is helping you out by backing up your application. To get a visa sponsorship, you must be sure that you are eligible for it. An immigration attorney in NYC can help you assess your eligibility for a visa sponsorship.

As a visa applicant, visa sponsorship means having an advocate who supports your entry into the United States by the terms of the visa. In most cases, there is a financial component to the sponsorship. Visa sponsorship may include businesses that help people obtain temporary work visas (such as H-1Bs) or organizations that manage visitor visas (such as J-1s).

Visa sponsorship is based on petitions. A person or business based in the US files a petition on behalf of a foreign national. In that case, the person or business becomes the petitioner. If the petition is approved, the foreign national usually gets the visa they are looking for.

Visa sponsorship is not as simple as it seems. It is, therefore crucial to provide some insights into visa sponsorship in the US below.

 Types of Visa Sponsorship

There are a lot of different types of visa sponsorship depending on where you are from and what kind of visa you need. An immigration attorney in NYC can help you pick the type of visa sponsorship you need. Below are some of the most common visa sponsorships.

1. Family-Based Visa Sponsorship

If you are a citizen or a permanent resident of the US, you might be able to sponsor an immediate relative or a Fiancé in your visa application. It is one of the most popular types of sponsorship. If you are a US citizen or a legal permanent resident, you can begin your sponsorship process by filing a petition for alien relatives (Form I-130).

You can fill out other forms, but this is how it starts. There are lots of different types of family-based visas that you can use for both short-term and long-term immigration. Some examples of family-based visa sponsorships are:

Getting a Green Card

Family-based sponsorship is the go-to way to get green cards. Over half a million people get green cards through a relative annually. Visa sponsorship usually comes from the relative who is petitioning, but it can also be from other people. The relative is the one who is petitioning.

If they do not have the money to sponsor someone, someone else must do it for them. This is done by filling out form I-864 (an affidavit of support) and other documents to prove family ties. Certain people in the household can also contribute their income. A joint sponsor can also submit another form I-864.

You can talk with an immigration attorney in NYC to get more info on this visa sponsorship option.

Getting K-1 Visas

If you are a US citizen, you can petition your fiancé to come to the US so you can get married. The process starts with you filing a petition for an alien relative (Form I-129F) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition shows that there is a qualifying relationship between you and the foreign national.

Once USCIS approves your petition, your fiancé can apply for a K-1 visa at the US Embassy or consulate. You may also be able to get financial sponsorship from a US citizen to help you get the K-1 visa. You will need to fill out form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support), which will help you get the money you need for the trip.

This way, your fiancé will not have to rely on the US government for money if you do not have enough money.

Getting Visa to Visit the US 

If you are applying for a visitor visa in the US, you might need a relative to sponsor you. A sponsor makes it easier for the government to approve your visa and ensures you can care for yourself during your stay. Most B-2 visa holders do not need sponsorship.

In other words, If you are a foreign visitor with a good financial situation, you can get a visa without a sponsor. But if you do get a relative to sponsor you, the sponsor agrees to cover your costs if you do not have the money to pay for your trip. This is so you do not have to worry about being a public nuisance.

To sponsor someone, you will need to fill out form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) and submit a letter of invitation and other documents to prove you can afford the trip.

2. Visa Sponsorship by US Employers 

When US employers cannot find the right workers in the US, they can use different programs to bring in workers from other countries. It is a great way to bring in foreign nationals to work in the US. These jobs can be short-term or could even give you the chance to get a green card.

There are different types of US work visas for foreign workers who have special skills, but the most popular one is the highly-coveted H1-B visa. It is temporary, and you have to keep renewing it. This visa sponsorship means you are willing to sponsor someone’s visa if they are highly qualified and live outside the US. 

But it is not easy for employers to sponsor foreign employees. They have to prove that they could not fill the jobs with workers in the US before they can sponsor foreign employees’ visas. Employers who sponsor new employees’ work visas help with the visa application, get the labor certification paperwork done, and become the petitioner.

You will most likely need the help of an immigration attorney in NYC to go through the process successfully.

3. You can Sponsor Yourself. 

If you are a foreign national, you need to know that only a few foreigners can apply for green cards on their own. To do so, you will need to fill out form I-360. You will need to file it based on your category, like if you are a widow or widower, a battered spouse/child/parent, or a special immigrant. 

If you are highly skilled, you can also apply for a work visa. You do not need a financial sponsor for self-petitions, but you must follow the USCIS instructions. To go through the visa sponsorship process without hassles, it is a good idea to consult an immigration attorney in NYC.

Get Help 

Visa sponsorship can be a tricky process for both the sponsor and the foreigner. But with the right legal help, it can be an exciting process. At Gehi and Associates, you can be sure to get the needed help to go through the visa sponsorship process successfully. 

Our doors are wide open to your immigration needs. Are you ready to start your visa sponsorship journey? Connect with us right away!