Who can you sponsor as a citizen? Who can help you with immigration law? This blog guide gives key tips on successfully sponsoring family for their green card.

Who you can sponsor as a citizen?
As a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor immediate family – your parents, spouse, brothers and sisters, married children, and unmarried children. As you can see, you can’t just sponsor anyone. If you sponsor immediate family, they do not have to wait. They are on no waiting lists and can immigrate much faster than others. Once your family members immigrate, they too can sponsor immediate family. Once they get citizenship, they have the opportunity to sponsor all their immediate family.

Who can you sponsor as a permanent resident?
If you are a permanent resident, meaning you have a green card, you can sponsor only your spouse and unmarried children (any children you have who are not married). Once you are naturalized, becoming a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor many more in your immediate family.

How long will it take?
Immediate family are on no waiting lists, are not subject to the amount of green cards given every year, and can immigrate almost immediately. However, other family may have to wait some time; according the legal website NOLO.com, the numbers are as low as one year to 23 years. These numbers may seem inflated, and it depends on the country. Usually it will take several years before they can get a green card, mainly because of the long waiting list.

How much does it cost?
Immigration fees typically cost a total of $1,000 to $2,000, sometimes more and sometimes less. This all depends on what the person is applying for. Lawyer fees typically can be higher than the actual filing fees, but a lawyer is essential in successfully applying.

Who can help?
Your family’s best asset in sponsoring for green cards is an experienced immigration lawyer. It’s his or her job to make sure you correctly fill out forms so your immediate family can immigrate, and others in your family can come too. An immigration lawyer is essential in not only getting a green card, but also applying for citizenship.

Just in 2009, over 1 million permanent residents became citizens. Once you become a permanent resident, you can sponsor other family, and once you earn citizenship, you have more options in who you can sponsor. If you have further questions, contact a local immigration lawyer.