You have probably shared a lot of memories with your siblings from your childhood. As a gesture of love, you may want to bring your siblings to live with you in the US. If you are a US citizen, you can sponsor your siblings and apply for a green card for siblings.

Also referred to as the F4 visa, it differs from applying for a green card for immediate relatives. To apply for an F4 visa for your siblings, you must be a US citizen above 21 years. Here’s everything you need to know to navigate through the application process:

Eligibility Requirements

Each family is different, and the USCIS understands that your siblings can be your own brother or sister, step-siblings, half-siblings, or adopted siblings. As long as you can provide proof to establish your relationship, you can sponsor a green card for your siblings.

Steps to Bring your Sibling to the US

• Complete Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative Application

Form I-130 is a generic form to bring your family, be it immediate family like spouse or parents, and siblings. The form constitutes of nine parts, which must be duly filled with accurate information:

• Relationship
• Information of Petitioner
• Biographic information
• Information of Beneficiary
• Other questions whether you have previously applied or sponsored other siblings or family
• Contact information of the Petitioner with the statement, declaration, and signature
• Contact information of the interpreter or prepared if applicable
• Additional information

• Supporting Documents

You also need to submit evidence to prove your US citizenship status and your relationship with the sibling, along with the above form. This can include your valid US passport ID page or certificate of citizenship, birth certificate and your sibling’s birth certificate to show that you have at least one parent in common and parents’ marriage certificate to prove the case of legitimated siblings. Once you have gathered the proof, submit Form I-130 along with paying filing fees of $535.

• Wait for Approval 

After submission of the I-130 form to the USCIS, you have to wait for further action. The I-130 processing times for a green card for your siblings can range from a few months to years. For the F4 green card category, your sibling must wait for the availability of an immigrant visa number. You can keep a tab on the visa bulletin dates and current priority dates. Once the I-130 petition is approved by the USCIS, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Centre for consular processing and meanwhile wait for a visa number. Only 65,000 F4 visas are granted each year, thereby leading to long wait times for visa number’s availability.

• Submit Affidavit of Support and other Documents

An approved petition does not guarantee a green card for siblings. When a visa number is available or close to being available at the National Visa Centre, you may have to submit an I-864 affidavit for financial support along with other DS forms and evidence to support your application. Once you complete all the application formalities and a visa number is finally available, an interview will be scheduled for your sibling, based on which the final decision of approval or denial is taken.

What If your Sibling Is Currently in the US

Instead of following the above process, your sibling has to file for an I-485 adjustment of status. However, to apply, you have to check the current Visa bulletin date. For siblings, who are already in the US and keeping a legal status, after the visa number is available, they have to file Form I-485. 

Besides, other forms like medical examination (I-693), along with the I-864 affidavit of support, also need to be submitted. More documents may be necessary depending on the current visa status of your sibling.

Visa Fees for a Green Card for Your Siblings

The fees for an F4 visa can vary depending on the forms and supporting documentation of each case. Below is what you can expect to pay:

• Form I-130 – $535
• Form I-864 – $120 (if processed by National Visa Center)
• Form DS-260 – $325 (if processed by National Visa Center)
• Green Card Issuance Fee – $220 (if processed by National Visa Center)
• Additional Fees for Medical Examination-around $300~$500
• Adjustment Status Fee-$1140 (if processed through I-485 adjustment of status)
• Biometrics Fees- $85 (if processed through I-485 adjustment of status)

Processing Time for Green Card for Siblings

There are four categories that fall under family-based green card sponsorship. The sibling category is the final category, and it is also the reason why processing can take a long wait time. The processing time can also vary depending on the I-130 and I-465 service center submission. You can verify your status on the USCIS website through your receipt number.

How can Immigration Attorneys Help?

F4 visa applications can be complicated to handle with the number of different forms and the long processing times. If your petition is not filled properly and not backed with the right supporting document or evidence, it can lead to further delays or even denial. Therefore, an experienced immigration attorney can guide you with the process of applying for a green card for your siblings and avoid pitfalls.