While you can’t petition for a friend’s immigrant visa or Green Card (only family members can do that), you can financially sponsor a friend’s immigration petition with Form I-864, Affidavit of Support.

Can you sponsor a friend for citizenship?

If someone else is willing to take responsibility for the immigrant, such as a friend or family member, that person can become a “joint sponsor,” by filing an additional Affidavit of Support on the immigrants’ behalf. You can have up to two joint sponsors per family, but no more than one per immigrant.

How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a parent?

I-130 Processing Times for Immediate Relatives For immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents) of U.S. citizens, there is an unlimited number of immigrant visas and approval can be obtained in approximately 5 to 9 months. There is a short wait because there is no visa limit for the immediate relative category.

Can a permanent resident sponsor someone?

You can petition to bring family members to the United States (often called “sponsoring” them) only if you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (green card holder). Even then, you can bring in only those family members listed on the chart below.

How long does it take for I 130 to be approved for Brother?

Form I-130 Processing Times For immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, I-130 processing times currently average 15 to 20 months (as of June 7, 2021). For family preference visas (for example, siblings), processing times can range anywhere from 13.5 months to 20 or more years.

Who can a citizen help to immigrate to America?

Becoming a citizen allows you to start the immigration process for certain family members other than your spouse and unmarried children. These include your parents, married children, and brothers and sisters. (It doesn’t, however, include family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.)

Can a family member immigrate to the United States?

Helping Other Family Members Immigrate to the U.S. Becoming a citizen allows you to start the immigration process for certain family members other than your spouse and unmarried children. These include your parents, married children, and brothers and sisters.

Who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence ( LAPR )?

Lawfully admitted for Permanent Residence (LAPR) in the U.S., including “Amerasian immigrant” as defined in P.L. 100-202, with a class of admission AM-1 through AM-8; Refugee admitted to the U.S. under Section 207 of the INA;