Can I Sponsor My Niece or Nephew to USA? 3 Sponsorship Options

If you are living in the United States, you may be wondering if you can help your relatives to come to the country through family sponsorships. In fact, “Can I sponsor my niece or nephew to USA?” is among the top frequently asked questions!

In this article, Thao & Co. presents a comprehensive guide on the necessary conditions and costs associated with US sponsorship.

Can I sponsor my niece or nephew to USA?

The short answer is YES. A biological aunt or uncle can sponsor a niece or nephew for a short-term stay in the US, such as for tourism, family visits, or studying.

However, when it comes to permanent residency (green card sponsorship), a niece or nephew is not directly eligible for sponsorship under US law. Instead, they must be sponsored indirectly through a qualifying family member.

For the purpose of studying and traveling, sponsorship includes providing an invitation letter or financial support to increase the chances of visa approval. However, the final visa approval depends on the applicant’s preparation.

It’s also important to make sure all visa application documents are accurately translated as this plays a crucial role in visa approval.

What are the family sponsorship categories for the US?

Family-based sponsorships to the US fall under 2 main categories:

1. Immediate relatives

US citizens can directly sponsor the following immediate family members:

1.  • Legal spouse
2.  • Unmarried children under 21 years of age
3.  • Parents

2. Family preference categories

US citizens can also sponsor other relatives under the following priority system:

1. • Unmarried children (21 and older)
2. • Married children of any age
3. • Brothers and sisters.

Green card holders (lawful permanent residents) can sponsor:

1.  • Spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old
2.  • Unmarried children (21 and older)

How long does it take to sponsor a niece or nephew to the US?

The timeline typically depends on the type of visa:

1.  • For study or tourism: Processing typically takes 4 to 10 weeks.
2.  • For permanent residence (F4 category): This can take anywhere from 3 to 15 years or longer, depending on individual circumstances. In the case of sponsorship for a niece or nephew who has been adopted as a child of the sponsor, the average processing duration is 1-5 years.

Since the US immigration law does not allow direct sponsorship of nieces or nephews, the most common approach is indirect sponsorship through the F4 family preference category:

1.  • The US citizen sponsors their sibling (the parent of the niece or nephew) under the F4 category.
2.  • Once the sibling obtains a green card and later US citizenship, they can sponsor their own child (the niece or nephew).

Another approach, if the sibling cannot immigrate to the US, is to adopt the niece or nephew and then apply for their immigration under adoption-based sponsorship.

Both of these methods require complex paperwork and strict eligibility requirements. Therefore, the sponsorship process for nieces and nephews can take several years.

Requirements for sponsoring a niece or nephew to the USA

US travel visa sponsorship

If you want to sponsor your niece or nephew for a visitor visa, make sure:

1.  • The visit to the United States must be for a legitimate reason, such as tourism or family visitation.
2.  • The sponsor demonstrates sufficient financial capability.
3.  • The applicant has received an official invitation letter from the sponsor.
4.  • Valid proof of family relationship between the sponsor and the applicant is provided.
5.  • The applicant must demonstrate strong ties to their home country to ensure they will leave the US on time after their visit.
6.  • The applicant must have no criminal history in the US.

Recommended reading: How to fill out the DS-160 Form

US student visa sponsorship

If your niece or nephew wants to study in the US, they must meet the following criteria:

1.  • Have an official admission letter from a US school.
2.  • Provide valid proof of family relationship to the US-based relative.
3.  • Demonstrate that either the student or their sponsor has sufficient financial capability.
4.  • Have a clear study plan with no major gaps.
5.  • Have a clean criminal record.

Requirements for the sponsor are as follows:

1.  • Must be at least 18 years old (some cases require 21+ years old).
2.  • Legal residence in the United States.
3.  • Clean justice record.
4.  •  Stable job and finance to support the student

US Immigration Sponsorship

If you want to sponsor your niece or nephew for permanent residency, they must qualify under the F4 family preference category. The conditions include:

1.  The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older
2.  • The niece or nephew must be under 21 years of age.
3.  • Valid proof of family relationship.
4.  • No history of criminal violations.
5.  • Demonstration of financial capability to support the immigrant.

If you want to adopt your biological niece or nephew to sponsor them, the adoption must be finalized before the child turns 16 (or 18 in some cases).

Latest costs of sponsoring a niece or nephew to the USA

While the US does not charge a direct sponsorship fee, there are several required fees related to visa applications and immigration paperwork:

1.  • Tourist visa or student visa application fee: 185 USD.
2.  • Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative fee: 675 USD.
3.  • Immigrant visa application processing fee: 325 USD.
4.  • Financial aid review fee: 120 USD.
5.  • Biometrics fee: 85 USD.
6.  • Medical examination and vaccination fee: 210-334 USD (depending on age).

Also read: How to check US visa status

Trusted Translation Services for US Visa Sponsorship Applications

The sponsorship application is a major factor in the process of sponsoring relatives to come to the US. The information in the application must be complete and accurate. A minor mistake can lead to costly delays in the sponsorship process.

Choosing a professional and reliable translation agency can significantly strengthen your visa sponsorship application. Looking for accurate translations you can trust? Thao & Co. is your trusted partner, backed by years of expertise in visa application translation.

We offer certified translation services with unparalleled benefits:

1.  • High-quality translations that meet all legal requirements.
2.  • A team of expert linguists possessing BA and MA degrees in English Linguistics.
3.  • Free Certificates of Translation Accuracy issued by Thao & Co.
4.  • Speedy document processing and timely delivery.
5.  • Transparent pricing, no hidden fees.
6.  • Thao & Co.’s proprietary platform for absolute information security.

Looking to sponsor your niece or nephew to USA? Contact Thao & Co. today. We’ll make sure all your documents are flawlessly translated. Visit our Get a Quote page for a complimentary consultation!