You are correct in that I have to sponsor him. There is not really any time frame written that must be adhered to. He will be allowed to work as soon as he gets a green card. that can happen in as little as 6 months. He has to be sponsored until then. Of course, they cannot receive any type of public assistance for many years after arriving in the USA but that is not our intention. We love each other and want to be together. That is our only purpose. :-)