SIBLINGS OF US CITIZEN (F-4)
Immigration
GUIDE TO GREEN CARDS FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Adult US citizens have the opportunity to sponsor green cards for their brothers and sisters, facilitating family reunification in the United States. While this process offers a pathway to permanent residency, it comes with specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Eligibility and Considerations
- US citizens can sponsor green cards for their brothers and sisters.
- Married siblings can include their spouses and unmarried children under 21 in their application.
- Under the Child Status Protection Act, children who turn 21 during the petitioning process can adjust their age based on the pending time of their visa petition.
Procedure for Sponsorship
To sponsor a sibling for a green card, the US citizen petitioner must follow these steps:
Complete Form I-130: Submit Form I-130 along with supporting documentation, including copies of the petitioner’s and sibling’s birth certificates showing at least one parent in common.
Proof of US Citizenship: Provide evidence of US citizenship through a valid US passport, US birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.
Supplementary Materials for Specific Relationships: Depending on the relationship type (adoption, step-parents, or siblings with a common father but different mothers), additional documentation may be required to establish the relationship.
Name Change Documentation: If either the petitioner or sibling has changed their name since birth, documentation proving the legality of the name change must be provided.
USCIS Review and Petition Status
After submission, USCIS will review the petition. Petitioners can track the status of their petition using the application receipt number through Case Status Online.
In case of denial, petitioners have the option to file an appeal form, which will be decided by the Board of Immigration Appeals upon processing the required fee.
Wait Times and Country Quotas
US immigration laws limit the number of individuals allowed to immigrate under the sibling category annually to 65,000, leading to a waiting line of at least 12 to 13 years.
For siblings born in India, Mexico or the Philippines, wait times may exceed 20 years due to country quotas regulating total immigration numbers.
Nonimmigrant Visa Eligibility
- Siblings cannot enter the US on the basis of a pending Form I-130. In most cases, beneficiaries of pending or approved immigrant visas are not eligible for nonimmigrant visas, with certain exceptions.
Navigating the green card process for brothers and sisters involves adherence to specific documentation requirements, understanding of eligibility criteria, and recognition of extended wait times. Seek guidance from experienced immigration professionals to facilitate a smoother application process.