Q: My mother is filing an immigrant visa petition for me to move to the United States. She is unemployed and I was told that someone with a job in the US needs to sponsor me. How do I find a sponsor and what documents do I have to take to the embassy?

A: When your relative files an immigrant visa petition for you, she must submit an Affidavit of Support form and her most recent US income tax information. A consular officer reviews this information about the petitioner’s finances and family size to determine whether your relative’s income is sufficient to support you when you move to the United States.

Since the petitioner — your mother — has no income, she cannot be your sole financial sponsor. You and your mother must find another individual who will agree to support you when you move to the United States. This sponsor must be either a US citizen or a US legal permanent resident (a “green card” holder), and the sponsor’s annual income must meet or exceed the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which can be viewed online at www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf.

If your new sponsor is a relative who lives in your mother’s home, he or she should complete the I-864A form and submit that along with a copy of his or her most recent US tax returns and W-2 forms, as well as proof of legal status in the United States. Any other sponsor should complete the I-864 form, instead of the I-864A form, and submit the same tax documentation and proof of legal status in the United States. Both the I-864 and I-864A forms can be downloaded from our website, kingston.usembassy.gov/fees/forms.html.

Once your new financial sponsor has completed this paperwork, you can submit the documentation to the consular section by following the instructions you received at the time of your last appointment at the embassy.

For additional information regarding all types of non-immigrant and immigrant visas, please visit our website at: kingston.usembassy.gov/general_information.html. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to allow ample time for processing.

The US Embassy in Kingston would like to remind visa applicants to be cautious in all dealings with individuals and companies that claim to offer any assistance in obtaining US visas. These individuals and companies may attempt to receive payment for forms and information about visa procedures that are free on the Embassy or Department of State website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Department of State’s fraud warning at travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html.

The Embassy staff in Kingston will answer questions you may have regarding the US Mission, including consular law, regulations and/or practice. In order to respect privacy, staff will not answer questions about specific visa applications. The embassy employs a visa appointment system, so it is only necessary for visa applicants to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment.

Send your questions to: editorial@jamaicaobserver.com and we will send them to the embassy.