The U.S. immigration system is changing every day — but one thing remains constant: the right of U.S. citizens and green card holders to sponsor their relatives to come to the United States. If you want to sponsor your parents, spouse, children, or siblings to reunite, this article will explain the entire process from start to finish — in plain language, not legal jargon.
Who can sponsor whom?
First, you need to know what position you're in. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the sponsor must be:
- U.S. citizen (U.S. citizen): Can sponsor a spouse, unmarried children, parents, and siblings.
- Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR): Can only sponsor a spouse and unmarried children.
In simple terms: if you are a U.S. citizen, your sponsorship options are much broader. If you just got your green card, you cannot sponsor parents or siblings yet — you have to wait until you become a citizen.
Two different types of family visas
There are two different "lanes" in the family sponsorship system:
- Immediate Relative (IR): For spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. This category has no annual quota, meaning you don't have to wait in line.
- Family Preference (F): For other relationships — children over 21, married children, siblings, spouses and children of permanent residents. This category has an annual quota and requires waiting — sometimes very long.
- The table below summarizes the preference categories:
| Category | Relationship | Who Sponsors | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR | Spouse, child under 21, parent | U.S. citizen | No quota, approximately 1 to 2 years |
| F1 | Unmarried child, over 21 | U.S. citizen | 7 to 10 years |
| F2A | Spouse and children | Permanent resident | 2 to 4 years |
| F2B | Unmarried child, over 21 | Permanent resident | 6 to 10 years |
| F3 | Married child | U.S. citizen | 12 to 15 years |
| F4 | Sibling | U.S. citizen | 15 to 20 years or more |
The wait times in the table above are estimates based on the Visa Bulletin from the U.S. Department of State and can change month to month.
Step-by-step sponsorship process
Step 1: File the I-130 petition
This is the starting step — also called "Petition for Alien Relative." You submit Form I-130 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The current filing fee is 675 USD according to USCIS (effective April 2024).
Basically, I-130 is you telling the government: "I have a legitimate relationship with this person, and I want to sponsor them.
Step 2: Wait for I-130 approval
Processing time for I-130 typically takes 6 months to over 1 year, depending on the case. For the Immediate Relative category, after I-130 is approved, the file will be transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) to prepare for the next step.
Step 3: Wait for your priority date
For the Family Preference category, this is the longest "waiting" period. The date USCIS receives your I-130 is called your "priority date." Each month, the State Department releases the Visa Bulletin showing which priority dates are being processed. When your number comes up, you can move to the next step.
Step 4: Processing through NVC
The NVC will request additional documents and fees from you. This phase includes submitting Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and documents from the beneficiary.
Step 5: Interview at the embassy or adjustment of status
If the sponsored person is in Vietnam, they will interview at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General in Saigon. If they are lawfully in the U.S., they may apply for "adjustment of status" without needing to return to their home country.
Documents you need to prepare
For the sponsor (in the U.S.):
- Copy of U.S. passport or Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- Copy of green card (if you are a permanent resident)
- Documents proving the relationship: birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption papers
- Form I-864 along with the last 3 years of tax returns and proof of income
For the beneficiary (in Vietnam):
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Police clearance from Vietnam
- Medical examination from a designated health facility
- Photos in the required size
I-864: Affidavit of Support — something many people overlook
This is a very important part that is often taken lightly. When sponsoring a relative, you must sign Form I-864 — meaning you are making a commitment to the U.S. government that you will provide financial support to the beneficiary and they will not become a "public charge.
According to USCIS, your income must reach at least 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline based on household size after adding the sponsored person. For example, in 2025, for a household of 3 people (you, your spouse, and one sponsored person), this threshold is approximately 29,000 USD per year.
If your income is insufficient, you can bring in a "joint sponsor" — another person who co-signs the I-864 to supplement the income.
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
- Incomplete or incorrect information on I-130: One blank field or one wrong birth date can cause the file to be rejected. Read each question carefully and fill in completely.
- Not updating your address with USCIS: If you move and forget to change your address, USCIS mail — including interview notices — can get lost. Always file Form AR-11 when you change address.
- Ignoring the monthly Visa Bulletin: Your priority date may move forward or get delayed. If you don't keep track, you might miss the deadline for the next filing.
- I-864 income statement not matching tax return: If the numbers you write on I-864 don't match your tax return, the consular officer will ask questions. Use the exact figures from your most recent tax return.
- Beneficiary violating their current visa status: If your relative is in the U.S. on a visitor visa and overstays, this can seriously affect the sponsorship application.
Perspective for Vietnamese in the U.S.
For the Vietnamese community, the three most common cases are sponsoring parents, sponsoring a spouse, and sponsoring siblings. Each case has its own considerations.
Sponsoring parents: This is the Immediate Relative category if you are a U.S. citizen, so there is no quota. However, medical records and police clearance from Vietnam usually take time to obtain — so start early. Additionally, elderly parents should note that after coming to the U.S., they have to wait a certain period before accessing some public benefits.
Sponsoring siblings: This is the F4 category — the longest wait time of all categories, potentially 15 to 20 years or more for Vietnamese nationals, because Vietnam consistently has high petition numbers. File I-130 as soon as possible, even right after you become a citizen.
Children may "age out" before the process is complete: If you sponsor a child and they turn 21 while waiting, the case may shift from the IR category (no quota) to the F1 category (quota required). The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) may help protect your child's age in some cases — you need to check carefully with an immigration attorney.
Should you do it yourself or hire a lawyer?
Technically, you can file I-130 yourself without an attorney. USCIS does not require legal representation.
However, if your case has any complications — such as the beneficiary being previously denied a visa, overstaying, or having a criminal record — you should consult with a licensed immigration attorney before filing any documents.
The family reunion journey is not short — but understanding the system from the beginning will help you avoid unnecessary delays and keep your file on the right track.