If you are sponsoring someone for a family based green card (U.S. lawful permanent residence) you will, in most cases, need to fill out an Affidavit of Support for that person. This is ordinarily done using Form I-864, published (and available for free download) by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How can I help my friend become a citizen?

Sponsoring someone for citizenship requires the sponsor to provide information about her income, assets, dependents, relationship to the immigrant she is sponsoring and her good faith belief that the immigrant is admissible to the United States and not likely to become a public charge.

Can a green card holder sponsor a friend?

A green card holder can sponsor (file an I-130 petition for) only his or her spouse and unmarried children; but no one else. other family members, including your parents, married children, brothers, and sisters, for whom you now can start the immigration process.

What’s the easiest way to get a green card?

The first step to apply for green card is to have your sponsor – either a family member or employer petition on your behalf. For family-sponsored petitions, use Form I-130, also known as the Petition for Alien Relative; or For employment-based petitions, use Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).

How to apply for a green card as an alien?

1 Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative 2 Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker 3 Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition 4 Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal

Do you have to file your own petition for green card?

Someone else usually must file the petition for you (often referred to as sponsoring or petitioning for you), although you may be eligible to file for yourself in some cases. Here are the most common forms: Refer to your eligibility category to see if you need a petition.

What to do if your green card application is pending?

If you already submitted a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and your case is pending with USCIS, go to our While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS page for more information on checking your case status, updating your address, and making appointments with USCIS.