Are There Requirements to Sponsor a Tourist Visa?

Even though your relative may only wish to stay in the United States for a short while with a tourist visa, they must still have a means of financially supporting themself at this time. The United States embassy or consulate officer handling their application may be particularly concerned with this, especially if the cost of living in the U.S. is considerably greater than in their home country. Well, you may help the cause by volunteering to sponsor their tourist visa. With that being said, please read on to discover whether there are certain financial requirements you must meet to serve as the sponsor of your relative’s tourist visa, and how one of the seasoned Lancaster, PA family based immigration lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can work to ensure you effectively prove your capabilities.

Are there financial requirements to sponsor a tourist visa?

First of all, you should understand that tourist visa sponsorship is not as strict as green card sponsorship.

With Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, you file alongside your relative’s green card application, you enter a legally binding contract with the United States government, where you agree to financially support your relative. This obligation typically runs for 10 years. Or, until your relative becomes a U.S. citizen, permanently departs from the country, or sadly passes away. Importantly, you also promise to repay any government agency from which your relative may collect public benefits.

On the other hand, if your relative is pursuing a B-2 tourist visa, you may submit Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. This is a non-binding pledge to financially support your relative during their temporary visit. And so, while this is not necessarily a financial requirement, it assures the U.S. embassy or consulate officer that your relative will not become a public charge. But with that, since this form is a voluntary submission, is may not necessarily improve or guarantee your relative’s chances of being approved.

What financial evidence does my relative need to share?

To reiterate, your Form I-134 is discretionary and will not overcome the criteria your relative must meet for their B-2 tourist visa application. For example, it does not matter if you have the financial means to support your relative if they are ineligible to stay in the United States in the first place, based on a prior overstay, a misrepresentation or inconsistency on their application, a criminal history, etc.

Further, the U.S. embassy or consulate officer will carefully consider your relative’s provided evidence. Most importantly, your relative may supply an employment verification letter, school enrollment receipt, business ownership receipt, and/or a mortgage statement or lease agreement. These forms of proof establish that your relative has strong ties in their home country, and that they must return to their obligations here after their temporary visit to the U.S.

That said, even if you offer to sponsor their trip, an officer may appreciate it if your relative can prove that they have personal financial independence. For instance, this shows their self-sufficiency to afford their return expenses, reducing their perceived risk of an overstay. Your relative may establish their own financial resources by providing copies of their most recent bank account and investment account statements, an employment verification letter, a return flight reservation, etc.

To conclude, when it comes to your immigration case, you should not settle for anything less than spectacular legal assistance. So please hire us to help with your immigration application proceedings. One of the competent Lancaster, PA family-based immigration lawyers at Lupton Law LLC looks forward to working with you.