Did you know that when a United States citizen or United States permanent resident marries a foreign national, the United States citizen or permanent resident can sponsor that foreign national for a green card?
This method of immigration is called spousal sponsorship, as the United States citizen or permanent resident sponsors the foreign national to come to the United States by assuming financial responsibility for them. Sponsors have to meet several strict requirements when they apply to sponsor a spouse, including that they have the financial means to take care of them. In addition, there are multiple ways of sponsoring someone to the United States depending on whether the sponsored spouse is inside the United States or not at the time of applying.
Two ways to immigrate to the United States as a US citizen spouse
If you are the spouse of a United States citizen or permanent resident, you can apply to come to the United States one of two ways.
If you are currently in the United States on a temporary visa such as a work permit, visitor visa or study permit, you can apply within the United States to adjust your status via an Adjustment of Status application along with the spousal sponsorship application your spouse will submit. If you go this route you cannot leave the United States while your application is in process unless you file for advance permission to.
The other method of applying for permanent residence in the United States as a US citizen spouse is to apply at your local United States consulate in your country, and you will likely remain in your country while your application is in process.
Do you want to sponsor a spouse to come to the United States, or immigrate to the United States as a sponsored spouse in 2021? Please contact our immigration law firm for assistance with your application.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
