Living in the United States as an Ethiopian immigrant, I want to help a distant cousin relocate through family sponsorship. I have been told our relationship may be too remote under U.S. immigration law. Are there any legal pathways I can use, or alternative options my cousin should realistically consider instead, given my current status and long-term plans in mind?

Question

Tami Gonzales · Accepted Answer

I don't think there is a visa category that allows cousin sponsorship

Lola Wilson · Answer

Your cousin would need to get a close relative to sponsor them like a parent or sibling. Or they could consider employment-bases sponsorship

Jibril Elmi · Answer

U.S. family-based immigration is limited to immediate relatives and a narrow group of close family members. Distant cousins are not eligible for sponsorship under current immigration law.

Saowalak Suwannarat · Answer

Unless there is a qualifying relationship, you cannot petition directly for your cousin. They would need to qualify independently through work, study, or humanitarian-based options.

Ifeanyi Tasfaye

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