What is a Sponsorship?
A sponsorship is a relationship between a sponsor and a sponsored entity wherein the sponsor provides financial support, resources, or services to the sponsor in exchange for certain benefits or advantages. Sponsorship is a common practice in various fields, such as sports, arts, entertainment, education, and business. In the context of immigration, sponsorship refers to the process by which a sponsor helps a visa applicant obtain a visa or other immigration status. A sponsor can be an individual, an organization, a company, or a government agency. The sponsored entity can be a foreign worker, a student, a family member, or an immigrant with extraordinary ability, among others. The sponsorship process usually involves preparing and submitting various sponsorship documents, such as a sponsorship letter, a visa application, and other supporting documents. The type of visa or immigration status that the sponsored entity seeks may depend on various factors, such as the sponsor’s preferences, the sponsored entity’s qualifications, and the application process. Common types of visas and immigration status that require sponsorship include non-immigrant work visas such as H-1B and H-2A visas, nonimmigrant visas for exceptional ability such as O-1A visas, employment-based immigrant visas such as EB-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or advanced degrees, and immigrant visas for family members. The application process and criteria for sponsorship may vary depending on the type of visa or immigration status, and an immigration attorney can help both sponsors and sponsored entities navigate the process and ensure compliance with immigration laws.