Highlights:
- Only US citizens aged 21 or older can sponsor a brother or sister; green card holders cannot.
- The process starts with Form I-130, and the filing date becomes the priority date.
- Sibling visas fall under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category, which has annual limits.
- Wait times are long, often ranging from 10 to over 20 years, particularly for countries such as India and the Philippines.
- At the final stage, the sponsor must show financial ability through Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to support the sibling.
Bringing a brother or sister to the United States as a permanent resident is possible, but takes a long time due to how US immigration rules are structured. Only US citizens who are at least 21 years old can sponsor their siblings. Green card holders cannot do so. Siblings are placed in the F4 family preference category, which has a yearly limit on the number of visas that can be issued, making the waiting period very long, especially for high-demand countries like India and the Philippines.
Who can sponsor a sibling?
To sponsor a sibling, the person must be a US citizen aged 21 or older. Proof of citizenship can include a US passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or other official documents. The sponsor and sibling must share at least one parent, and the relationship can include biological, half, step, or adopted siblings, as long as the legal relationship was formed before the required age.
Documents needed to prove relationship
To show that the sibling relationship is valid, both applicants need to provide birth certificates showing a common parent. For adopted or step-siblings, additional legal documents are needed to prove the family tie. If either person has changed their name, supporting documents must show that change.
How the process works
The process begins with filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). This form can be filed online or by mail. Once submitted, USCIS sends a receipt notice, and the date on that notice becomes the priority date. This date determines the sibling’s place in the visa queue. Approval of the petition simply confirms that the relationship is valid; it does not mean a visa is immediately available, because visas in this category are limited each year.
Understanding visa wait times
Sibling visas do not move quickly because the F4 category has yearly numerical limits, and only up to 7% of these visas may go to any one country. As a result, for countries with many applicants, the wait time may be more than 10 to 20 years. To track progress, applicants must check the monthly Visa Bulletin issued by the US Department of State to see which priority dates are currently being processed.
Financial requirements
When the case becomes active at the National Visa Center, the US citizen sponsor must prove they can financially support the sibling by submitting Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). The sponsor’s income must meet the minimum federal poverty guidelines based on household size.
Final steps for the sibling
After the priority date becomes current, the sibling completes the DS-260 immigrant visa application, uploads civil documents, and later attends an interview at a US embassy or consulate. If approved, the sibling receives an immigrant visa and becomes a permanent resident after entering the US. If the sibling is already in the US legally, adjustment of status may be possible, though this is uncommon due to long wait times.
Challenges and things to consider
The sibling does not receive any temporary legal stay or work permission while waiting. They must continue living outside the US unless they qualify for another visa. The process cannot be fast-tracked, and a pending petition may affect eligibility for temporary visas because it shows intent to immigrate. While waiting, some applicants try for student or work visas or the Diversity Visa Lottery, though approval is not guaranteed.
Sponsoring a sibling for a US green card is possible but requires patience and accurate documentation. The long waiting period is the biggest challenge, so families should be prepared for a long-term process that may take many years before the sibling can move to the United States.
