How can I get my sister and her family to come to the US? 8 Answers as of January 09, 2012

You cannot sponsor your sister with an H-1 visa. An H-1B, H-2A or H-2B visa must be employer-sponsored.

You may consult with placement offices showing their resumes and credentials.

Your sister and husband will need to find employment by themselves from their country of origin. Law offices usually represent the employers but I am not aware of them doing job placement because it may create conflict of interest issues. If you petition for them, the waiting list is extremely long before their priority date becomes current to apply for their green card. Just to give you an idea, in the month of January 2012 Visa Bulletin, it is reflected that the National Visa Center is processing the siblings petition from India filed on or before September 8, 2000.

Some firms may be connected but this is not standard and perhaps unethical. They need to apply for a job with a firm that is willing to petition your sister or her husband. Meanwhile, file the family petition.

There are several visa types that may work so I would suggest having a consultation to discuss your sister and brother-in-law's education and work history. There are of course many online job boards depending on their skills as well. There are no H's until October 2012 in any case but maybe an L or direct green card may work. We do charge for consultations but fees paid for the consult are then credited toward the fees for your case if you retain us thereafter.

If your sister or brother in law can get a job offer from a us employer they may qualify for a h1b visa. If you petition for them the process is about 10-12 years so it is not practical.

It is inappropriate for law offices to be affiliated with companies who petition for H-1B visas. The job offer for an H-1B visa needs to be bona fide and the type of work will depend upon your family members particular experience and education. An H-1B is a non-immigrant visa. It does not allow your relatives to remain in the U.S.

Usually not. If so, then there may be other challenges with such a petitioning employer. If your sister or brother in law are part of a profession that is in demand in the U.S., and the job requires a bachelor's degree or the equivalent, then the employer must pay the average wage for the position based upon the experience required. There are many who are disqualified, and some who may prove unreliable and questionable petitioners. I strongly recommend an appointment with a competent and experienced immigration and visa attorney. This should allow you and your family to decide what, if anything, is best to do based upon the circumstances.