PETITIONER REQUIREMENT

A sponsoring petitioner is a necessary requirement of an application for Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) status, except where

• The applicant has extraordinary employment qualifications.

• The applicant has been the victim of extreme curelty or battery by the family member who would otherwise be the petitioner.

• In limited cases where the petitioner has died:
  • if the petitioner was a U.S. citizen and was married to the beneficiary for at least two years, the beneficiary may seek legal permanent residence within two years of the spouse's death.