Determine whether you can actually sponsor a visitor. When you invite a foreigner to the United States, you will be responsible for her. That means that if you help her get a visitor's visa, you must ensure that she will not become a burden on social services. You can also sponsor an African family member or fiance by petitioning for her to immigrate. An employee can also be sponsored to come to the United States.
Find and complete the correct immigration form. If you are filing for a relative, forms I-130 and I-864 must be completed. If, however, you are filing for a fiance, complete form I-129F. You can also use form I-485 to file for permanent residency status for a relative. Form I-134 is used to demonstrate financial capacity to support a relative while in the country. To bring a potential African employee, you must complete form I-140.
Write a formal letter of invitation. The invitation letter must state the name of the person you intend to invite and must indicate that you will support him while in the United States You must list your employer and your address. Mention when you want your guest to arrive in the country. If you are simply seeking a travel visa for a relative, the letter, and not an immigration form, should suffice. Send the formal letter to your family member and he must take it with him on the day of his visa interview.
Gather supporting documents. Once the necessary immigration forms are completed, you will need to submit an employment letter, which states your position and how long you have worked with your employer. Be sure to include three or four pay stubs as well. You must also submit a bank letter and bank statements for at least three previous months. Income tax statements are also necessary when submitting any of the immigration forms listed above. You are required to prove your legal status as well. To do this, you must submit proof of citizenship or permanent residence with a copy of your passport or your green card.
Submit all documents and wait for the result. If sponsoring an individual for a tourist visa, you will know whether she has been accepted for the visa at the end of her interview. Your family member will have to call you to inform you of the result. If, however, you submitted forms to the USCIS, you will have to wait for three months or more to learn of their decision.
