If a resident is bringing a close relative to stay in the United States through immigration permanently then legal responsibility has to be borne for financially supporting the relative. The resident can become a sponsor of the relative for the Green Card  – a form has to be completed by signing a document called the Affidavit of Support – Form I-864, as a part of the entire immigration process.

As a part of filing for the Green Card the form I-864 has to be filled up, and it is used for:

• Family – based immigrant visa applicants. Petitions are filed using Form I-130 or Form I-129F, including orphans (IR-4, a petition using Form I-600 or I-600A).

The family member who files a petition for the immigrant must be the sponsor, especially for immediate relatives of U S Citizens and family – based preference category immigrants.

• Those who are employee-based immigrants and have close relatives abroad the relative who files the petition should have a significant interest of ownership in the business entity.

THE TERM “RELATIVE” USED WITH RELATIONSHIP TO GREEN CARD

The term “relative” for purposes related to immigration visas is defined as husband, wife, father, mother, child, adult son or daughter, brother or sister.