Can a U.S. Citizen sponsor a non-family member?

Can a U.S. Citizen sponsor a non-family member? The short answer is no!

Just a family member can require a foreign national’s visa or Green Card. But you can sponsor an immigration petition financially for someone. Being a financial sponsor to an immigrant can helps a lot with their application.

You can sponsor someone by providing a Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. But before you commit to sponsoring your friend financially, is really important to understand what it means.

When you sponsor someone, you ensure they will have enough finances, so they won’t become a public charge. But what is mean?

There is a rule, called “The Public Charge” created to prevent someone from immigrating to the U.S. if they are likely to be needing the government’s financial assistance.

Can a U.S. Citizen sponsor a non-family member?

So, you will be liable for fines and possibly even a civil lawsuit which will require you to refund the government in case your sponsored will be needing the government’s financial assistance.

The commitment to sponsor financially someone is valid until they become a U.S. citizen through naturalization or until they have paid into Social Security for at least 40 quarters whichever happens first.

If the sponsored does not receive any benefits from government assistance programs, there’s no problem for a sponsor.

The following means-tested public benefits programs are prohibited for immigrants:

• Medicaid;
• Supplement Security Income (SSI);
• State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP);
• Food stamps;
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);

There are some government assistance programs will be able to utilize without it resulting in liability for the sponsor:

• Emergency Medicaid;
• Head Start Programs;
• Means-tested programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;
• Job Training Partnership Act programs;
• Short-term, non-cash emergency relief;
• Immunizations, testing, and treatment for infectious diseases;
• Certain forms of foster care or adoption assistance under the Social Security Act;
• Student assistance under the Higher Education Act and the Public Health Service Act;
• Services under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts;

For sponsoring a friend Complete Form I-864 and show you meet the requirements of being an eligible sponsor.

Your household income must be more than 125% of the U.S. poverty level for your household size.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provide information about the required documents, or if you have any doubt, contact us today!

Can I sponsor my friend to come to the USA?

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

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