More details to this question:
My friend''s sister came to visit US this summer, her visa expires in few months, and my friend is telling me that she can apply for Green Card for her sister, and get one. I''ve never heard of it. Is it even possible to obtain Green Card on the grounds that one has relatives here in US, and relative will provide the Affidavit of Support?
1 ANSWER
In general, it is difficult to pursue permanent residency from within the U.S. after entering the U.S. as a visitor.
In general, it is only even conceivable if the individual is being sponsored for a green card by an immediate relative (i.e. spouse of a U.S. citizen, parent of adult U.S. citizen, child under 21 years of age of U.S. citizen).
It is generally not possible to pursue a green card through other family relationships because the process is too long and the visitor would end up overstaying.
Applying for a sibling falls under the 4th preference category and that process can minimally take 10 years depending on nationality. See:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5542.html
Regards,
Andrew M. Wilson, Esq.
Serotte Reich Wilson, LLP
www.srwlawyers.com
awilson@srwlawyers.com
Answered on Sep 01st, 2011 at 7:27 PM