Can an undocumented person be my sponsor in order to apply for an F1 visa? 10 Answers as of November 18, 2011

I have never known a school to check status on the sponsor and am not aware there is a law that the sponsor must be a PR or citizen as there is for an I-864 sponsor. Best to get a PR or USC sponsor if possible though or have money transferred to your account to cover school.

A sponsor must be someone who is a lawful permanent resident or United States citizen as they must be legally allowed to work in the United States.

I am not sure that I understand your question. The F-1 visa is a student visa, so the school is technically, the "sponsor" on the visa. The designated school official must enroll you in school and must issue you an I-20 form which you will then use to obtain the F-1 visa at the consulate. One of the things you must prove to obtain an F-1 visa is that you have the financial capability of paying for your tuition, room and board while in the United States in school. If your question has to do with whether someone undocumented can act as that sponsor, I would say not without risk. That individual would have to disclose his or her address, bank account information, tax returns or other documentation of financial worth. This information would be presented to the consulate abroad. By doing so, the person would be bringing himself or herself to the attention of immigration.

No. An F1 is for a student thus the university is the sponsor.

Short answer, no. Unauthorized employment cannot be used to establish income/earnings for affidavit of support purposes, and why expose this person (who wants to help you, but can't) to arrest and removal proceedings?

Yes, there isn't any law precluding them, but there may be significant documentary and other information required. Much of it is related to a valid US immigration status.

If the person is undocumented, and puts their contact information in any forms, then they would be placing themselves at risk, regardless of any risk they would be imposing on the F-1 Student Visa process.

No, the required income must come from lawful employment.

No. The affidavit of support form requests an affirmation of greencard or citizenship status. You can cause further immigration complications to the proposed sponsor by encouraging them to lie.