How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor someone to the U.S. for All Categories?

The United States is one of the most popular countries in the world for immigrants. Every year, many Vietnamese individuals become permanent residents and U.S. citizens through sponsorship by their loved ones who are living in the land of the free.

However, before reaching the stage of receiving a green card and U.S. citizenship, the most concerning issue for the sponsor or the beneficiary is the cost of sponsoring someone to the U.S.

There are various fees involved throughout the process of opening a sponsorship application. Most of these fees are required to be paid to the U.S. government or the processing center that you might seek consulting assistance from.

In the following article, ImmiPath will clarify the costs associated with sponsoring someone to the U.S., helping you eliminate any concerns about how much it costs for different sponsorship categories. Take a look now!

1. How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Family Member to the U.S.?

The cost of opening a sponsorship application varies depending on the type of visa category. There are numerous fees that need to be paid throughout the process of sponsoring a family member to the U.S. If you are wondering how much it costs to sponsor someone to the U.S., do not miss the information below!

1.1 USCIS Fees

In the initial stage of sponsoring someone to the U.S., you must submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This fee is required to have your application reviewed. The cost of filing Form I-130 for family-based sponsorship or Form I-129F for fiancées is approximately $535 per application.

1.2 Costs for NVC

After the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your petition, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing, including financial sponsorship and civil document submission. The fee for financial sponsorship processing is $120 per case, while the fee for civil document processing is $325 per person.

The total cost for completing civil documentation depends on the number of people involved, as the fee is charged per person. For example, if a family consists of three people, the total cost would be calculated as follows: $325 x 3 = $975.

1.3 Costs for the U.S. Embassy

After completing the required steps and submitting all necessary documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), the applicant and accompanying individuals must undergo a medical examination and vaccinations.

Medical examination fees:

• Adults: $275 (6,399,000 VND)
• Children aged 2-14: $240 (5,584,000 VND)
• Children under 2 years old: $165 (3,389,000 VND)
• Vaccination fees: 4 – 6 million VND depending on age and the number of required shots

Upon successfully passing the visa interview, the applicant must pay the immigrant fee (USCIS immigrant fee), also known as the green card fee, which is $190 per person.

1.4 Additional Fees

In addition to the aforementioned costs, the applicant and accompanying individuals must also cover the following:

• Judicial record certificate no. 2 (for individuals 16 years or older): 200,000 VND per person.
• Regular passport: 200,000 VND per person.
• Visa delivery fee: 140,000 VND.

These fees do not include attorney consultation fees, service fees, or the cost of purchasing a flight ticket to the United States.

You may refer to the detailed summary table of the costs involved in sponsoring immigration to the U.S:

No.	Category	Place of collection	Amount of money
1	Application opening fee	USCIS	$535/set
2	Reviewing financial documents fee	NVC	$120/set
3	Reviewing civil documents fee	NVC	$325/person
4	Health examination fee	Cho Ray, IOM	Adults: $275 (6,399,000 VND) + Children 2-14 years old: $240 (5,584,000 VND) + Children < 2 years old: $165 (3,389,000 VND)
5	Vaccination fee	International Quarantine Center – HCM City	Depending on the number of injections, it usually ranges from 4-6 million VND
6	Immigration fee	(USCIS immigrant fee)	$220/person
7	Fee for making criminal records No. 2	Department of Justice of the province where you have permanent residence	200,000 VND/person (over 16 years old)
8	Passport fee	Immigration Department – Police of the province or city where you have permanent residence	200,000 VND
9	Document translation fee	Notary office	Depends on the collection location. Some documents need to be translated into English such as criminal record number 2 with criminal record
10	Visa delivery fee	Delivery service	140,000VND

The fees in sections 1, 2, 3, and 6 are for the case of only the main applicant. Items 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 will vary depending on the category and number of accompanying people.

In case the family has many people accompanying them, the sponsorship cost for going to the U.S. will increase accordingly, with the amount calculated per person.

See more: How much does it cost to immigrate to the U.S.?

2. What are the types of U.S. sponsorship visas?

Immigrating to the U.S. is a dream for many Vietnamese families. To facilitate the immigration process for people around the world, the U.S. government has introduced several categories through which individuals can obtain visas and receive green cards to reside and live legally in the United States. Below, ImmiPath will guide you through the current U.S. immigration categories:

Category	Eligibility	Waiting Time
IR-1/ CR-1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen who is legally married. The petitioner must be at least 18 years old and residing in the U.S. IR1: U.S. citizen married for over 2 years CR1: U.S. citizen married for under 2 years	12-18 months
IR-2/ CR-2	IR2: Child of a U.S. citizen, unmarried, under 21 years old CR2: Stepchild of a U.S. citizen, unmarried, under 21 years old	14 months
IR-3/ IH-3	Adopted child of a U.S. citizen (adopted outside the U.S.)	1-2 years
IR-4/ IH-4	Adopted child of a U.S. citizen (adopted within the U.S.)	1-2 years
IR-5	Parent or stepparent of a U.S. citizen Stepparents are eligible if their marriage to the biological parent of the petitioner occurred before the petitioner turned 18	1-2 years
K-1	Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (same-sex or opposite-sex)	6-12 months
F-1	Unmarried child of a U.S. citizen, over 21 years old	6-7 years
F2-A	Spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of a U.S. permanent resident The petition may include both the spouse and children of the permanent resident	2-3 years
F2-B	Unmarried child over 21 years old of a U.S. permanent resident	5-7 years
F-3	Married child of a U.S. citizen	12-13 years
F-4	Siblings of a U.S. citizen Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of the applicant will also be eligible for immigrant visas under the applicant’s petition	13-14 years

3. Why is U.S. Sponsorship Increasing?

After finding out the cost of sponsoring a visa to the U.S., many people may still wonder why so many choose to immigrate and live there. Here are some reasons that ImmiPath would like to share with you:

• The U.S. is known as a land of opportunity, equality, and freedom. Human rights are highly valued, with fair treatment between immigrants and native citizens.
• The U.S. education system is globally renowned, and the country serves as a cultural melting pot, where many of the world’s cultural treasures converge.
• The healthcare system in the U.S. is heavily invested in both facilities and staff, ensuring that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion, has access to medical treatment services.
• With modern transportation infrastructure and a strong adherence to the law, life in the U.S. becomes convenient and safe.
• The U.S. is known for its green, clean, and healthy living environment, with a food safety system that meets high standards.

These advantages make many Vietnamese people interested in choosing the U.S. as a destination for immigration and living, often outweighing specific concerns about sponsorship.

4. Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Sponsorship

4.1 What should be noted when sponsoring a relative to the U.S.?

The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident.

There must be a qualifying family relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary.

The sponsor must file Form I-130 to prove that they can support the beneficiary financially at 125% of the poverty level. Keep in mind that sponsoring a relative means you are financially responsible for them.

4.2 What documents are needed for sponsoring a relative to the U.S.?

The required documents for sponsoring a relative include:

• Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
• Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
• Confirmation page of the visa application for an immigrant visa
• Documents proving the relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or adoption records
• Two passport-sized photos according to specifications
• Identification documents of the sponsor, such as passport, national ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Identification documents of the beneficiary, such as passport, national ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable)

Note that the documents required for different sponsorship categories (e.g., parents sponsoring children vs. siblings or spouses) will vary.

4.3 Which states are the most immigrant-friendly in the U.S.?

ImmiPath highlights eight immigrant-friendly states in the U.S.: California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, District of Columbia

4.4 What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a green card?

A visa is required to legally enter the U.S. Once you arrive in the country, you will be granted either Conditional or Permanent Resident status depending on your circumstances, and your green card will be mailed to you. The processing time to receive a green card can vary.

4.5 Where can I find services for U.S. sponsorship and immigration consultation?

ImmiPath is a great choice, offering experienced and highly skilled consultation services. When you open a sponsorship case with ImmiPath, you will receive free consultations and comprehensive support from A to Z, ensuring a smooth process for your sponsorship and prompt receipt of your immigrant visa to reunite with your loved ones.

As discussed earlier, the process for sponsoring relatives for U.S. immigration includes four categories with corresponding fees. To ensure a smooth procedure and successful interview with the consular officer, we recommend seeking a reputable and high-quality immigration consultation service.

With experienced consultants and offices in both the U.S. and Vietnam, ImmiPath is proud to offer specialized U.S. immigration advice. We are committed to meticulously and quickly handling spousal, family, and sibling sponsorship cases.

In addition, we provide detailed advice on preparing evidence, guidance on accurate fee payments, and support throughout the consular interview process.

If you have any questions about sponsorship fees for moving to the U.S. or the process of sponsoring relatives to the U.S., please feel free to comment below with your phone number. ImmiPath’s team of advisors will be dedicated to supporting and advising you, helping you understand your dream of U.S. immigration better.