US Citizen Petition for Siblings
Green Card for Sibling of a US Citizen
As a United States citizen, you have the right to petition for your siblings born outside of the U.S. to become lawful permanent residents. This process begins with Form I-130, requiring evidence of your familial relationship, including proof of shared parentage. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you are a U.S. citizen over the age of 21. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through each step to ensure a smooth application process.
Eligibility for US Citizen Petition for Siblings
To qualify for a sibling green card, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
- Provide proof of your relationship (birth certificates showing shared parentage).
- Ensure your sibling meets the visa eligibility requirements.
- Be prepared for long wait times due to visa availability in the F4 preference category.
Processing Times for Sibling Green Card
The F4 visa category for siblings of U.S. citizens is subject to annual caps, leading to long processing times. At the time of this publication, it is taking around 15 years for an immigrant visa to become available. This timeline varies based on the number of applicants and government policies. You can check USCIS processing times here and the Visa Bulletin updates here.
US Citizen Petition for Siblings: Consular Processing
Once USCIS approves your Form I-130, your case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing. When a visa is available, NVC will instruct you to:
- Pay the immigrant visa fees.
- Complete Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to prove financial responsibility.
- Submit necessary civil documents and medical examination results.
This ensures that the sponsored sibling will not become a public charge and has proper financial support in the U.S.
Final Steps: Approval and Entry to the US
Upon approval, your sibling must attend a consular interview at the U.S. embassy in their country. Required documents include:
- Police clearance certificates.
- Medical exam results from an approved physician.
- Valid passport and original civil documents.
If the immigrant visa is approved, your sibling will receive a visa stamp allowing entry to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. Their green card and Social Security card will be mailed to their U.S. address, granting them the right to live and work in the country.
Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens fall into the fourth preference category called F4. There are always more people applying than there is a number of visas available for the F4 category. Therefore, your petition for a sibling will take various years before the immigrant visa is available.
It is currently taking about 12 years to obtain an immigrant visa for a sibling. This wait time may change from year to year depending on how many people apply and the number of visas available. After you submit your Form I-130 for a sibling, we recommend checking the USCIS website on a regular basis by clicking here
You may also check the U.S. Department of State visa by clicking here
Once USCIS approves the Form I-130 for the sibling petition, USCIS automatically sends the file to the U.S. Department of State, National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing. NVC holds the file until the visa becomes available. Once it is available, NVC will contact the U.S. citizen petitioner by email with instructions on how to proceed. This involves payment of the immigrant visa fees and affidavit of support (Form I-864).
The Form I-864 affidavit of support is a legal requirement for the process. The goal is to ensure that U.S. your sibling does not become a public charge. A public charge is a person that uses financial government assistance for subsistence to survive.
The Form I-864 affidavit of support requires that the U.S. citizen petitioner sign a contract with the government of the U.S. confirming that he/she will be financially responsible for the sibling. You will also promise that the sibling will not seek public assistance from the U.S. government. The Form I-864 affidavit of support requires that you prove you meet the minimum income requirements with your tax returns and proof of employment among other things.
Once everything is complete, the sibling will be scheduled for an interview at the Embassy/Consulate in the country of residence. The sibling must bring a police certificate to prove good moral character, a medical exam by an approved panel doctor, a biometric card, original of civil documents, and a valid passport.
If everything is done correctly, the Consular Officer approves the immigrant visa. Your sibling receives a stamp on the passport with an immigrant visa. This allows the sibling to enter the United States as a green card holder. Once the sibling is in the United States, the government mails the green card and social security card to the U.S. address. The green card for sibling authorizes the sibling to live to work in the U.S.
How Immigration Universe Can Help
We are lawyers that understand that the sibling petition process can be overwhelming. Our experienced immigration attorneys will:
- Prepare and submit a strong Form I-130 petition.
- Guide you through each stage of consular processing.
- Provide regular updates and assist with document preparation.
Don’t delay—start your sibling green card petition today! Contact us to discuss your case and begin the process.