Complete guide to sponsoring family members. Spouse visas, parent sponsorship, children visas, income requirements, and processing times by country.
| Relationship | US | UK | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | IR-1/CR-1 (6-12mo) | Spouse Visa (£1,846, 6-8mo) | Spousal Sponsorship (12-24mo) | Partner Visa (18-24mo) |
| Parents | IR-5 (12-18mo) | Adult Dependent (£3,250, rare) | Parents/Grandparents (20-24mo) | Parent Visa (3-5 years!) |
| Children | IR-2/CR-2 (6-12mo) | Child Visa (£1,846) | Dependent Child (included) | Child Visa (12-18mo) |
| Siblings | F4 (10-15 YEARS!) | ❌ Not eligible | ❌ Not eligible | ❌ Not eligible |
Who Can Sponsor: US citizens or green card holders
Processing Time: 6-12 months
Cost: $1,200+ (I-130, DS-260, medical, interview)
Income Requirement: 125% of poverty line ($22,000+ for 2-person household)
Requirements:
Processing: 6-8 months (priority available)
Cost: £1,846 visa + £1,035/year NHS surcharge
Income Requirement: £29,000/year (sponsor's income)
Path to Settlement: 5 years → permanent residence
Requirements:
Processing: 12-24 months
Cost: CAD $1,080 (sponsorship + PR fees)
Income Requirement: None (but must not be on welfare)
Result: Immediate permanent residence!
Two Streams:
Most countries make parent immigration very hard (except US citizens). Requires high income, long waits, or elderly age.
Eligibility: Sponsor must be US citizen (21+), green card holders can't sponsor parents
Processing: 12-18 months
Cost: $1,200+
Income: 125% poverty line
Result: Immediate green card!
Eligibility: Must be citizen or PR
Processing: 20-24 months (lottery system!)
Income: Must meet LICO + 30% (≈CAD $60-80K for family of 4)
Challenge: Lottery - not everyone gets to apply!
Alternative: Super Visa (10-year multiple entry, each stay 2 years)
| Country | Spouse | +1 Child | Parents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | $22,887 | $28,787 | $28,787 |
| 🇬🇧 UK | £29,000 | £32,200 | £34,500 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | No minimum | No minimum | CAD $60-80K |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | No minimum | No minimum | AUD $83K (Contributory) |
*Income requirements for 2026. US = 125% federal poverty line. UK = fixed amounts. Canada/Australia = varies by family size.
A: US: 6-12 months. UK: 6-8 months. Canada: 12-24 months. Australia: 18-24 months. Premium processing available in some countries.
A: US: K-3 visa allows work. UK: No work on visitor visa. Canada: Inland applicants get work permit in 4 months. Australia: Bridging visa allows work.
A: US/UK: Find joint sponsor (family member). Canada: No minimum for spouse! Australia: Use savings (2x annual income). Or wait until income increases.
A: Only USA allows sibling sponsorship (F4 visa) but 10-15 YEAR wait! UK/Canada/Australia don't allow sibling immigration.
A: Spouse: Canada (no income requirement, fast). Parents: USA (if you're citizen, 12-18 months). Children: Canada (included with parent visa).
We specialize in spouse visas, parent sponsorship, and family reunification. Document preparation, relationship proof, income verification, interview coaching. 92% approval rate. $499-999.