Navigating the F4 Visa: Green Card for Siblings (2023)

You grew up with them, they played with you, they teased you, they protected you, and you see your siblings as close relatives. However, in the eyes of the USCIS, a sister green card falls under thecategory familyand not the category of immediate relatives. Also known as an F4 visa, this family green card category differs from immediate family green cards in terms of processing time, forms, required documents, and even who can sponsor them. To sponsor a sibling for an F4 visa, you must be a US citizen and be at least 21 years of age. Permanent residents cannot sponsor siblings to reside permanently in the country. This page will guide you on how to navigate and better understand the F4 visa process.

Who is Eligible for the F4 Visa?

To qualify for the F4 sibling visa, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Your sibling must be a legal resident of the United States and have US citizenship;
• Be a purebred sibling, paternal stepbrother, stepbrother or foster sibling; It is
• Applicant must reside outside of the United States

While all of these categories can obtain a sibling green card, different types of documents are required for each type of sibling. We'll go into more detail about each category type later.

Sponsor requirements for an F4 visa

The detailed sponsorship requirements vary depending on the type of sibling you are sponsoring. To sponsor a purebred sibling you must:

• Be an American citizen;
• be over 21 years of age;
• Prove that the beneficiary is really your brother, either with a birth certificate or other documents; It is
• Be a resident of the United States

However, you will need to provide other documents if your beneficiary is not a full blood sibling.

foster brothers

In addition, to sponsor an adoptive sibling, you must submit a copy of the adoption decree stating that both you and your adoptive sibling were under the age of 16 prior to the adoption.

It is important to note that if your purebred sibling was later adopted by another family, you cannot sponsor that sibling for an F4 visa.

half brothers

To sponsor a half-sibling, you must provide a copy of your birth parents' and step-parents' marriage certificate and copies of any documents proving your previous marriages have ended.

half brothers

In order to sponsor a paternal half-sibling, you must provide each mother with a copy of your father's marriage certificate, as well as copies of documents proving previous marriages have ended.

F4-Visa fees

Green card fees for siblings vary depending on the complexity and documentation needs of each case. Fees are typically around $2,000, not including the medical exam fee, but they can definitely add up. Below is the breakdown of fees:

• I-130:535 $
• I-864:without costs
• Biometrics: $ 85
• DS-260:220 $
• USCIS Green Card Creation and Issuance Fee:220 $
• Medical examination:varies depending on where you live
• I-485:$1,225 (only required if you are in the country on a nonimmigrant visa)

F4 Visa Application Process

The F4 application process is typically completed by the sponsor and the siblings of the beneficiary. While the entire process may differ depending on your background, the general process is outlined below:

• Sponsor files I-130 Petition for Alien Relative;
• If USCIS approves the request, it is forwarded to the NVC;
• The NVC will then send your foreign sibling an application package with detailed instructions and the documents to be submitted;
• Then you have to wait for your date to take effect;
• The beneficiary must submit Form DS-260;
• The beneficiary must undergo a medical examination;
• Subsequently, the beneficiary must provide all documents requested by the NVC and attend the visa interview; It is
• If approved, the foreign sibling will receive an NVC package and be allowed to enter the United States.

Processing time of the green card for siblings

The sister green card is known as the F4 visa, and with good reason. There are four categories of family green cards. The sibling category comes last, which increases processing time.The F4 visa processing time is never less than 14-15 years.

Also, sibling green card processing time varies depending on the service center where your I-130 was filed. I-130 can take anywhere from 6 months to 10 years to process and permit. He canCheck the current processing timesto your I-130 through the service center.

You can check the status of your specific case by entering the receipt number in the fieldUSCIS Case Status Checker.

Only 65,000 F4 visas are distributed annually, which also leads to long approval delays. More detailed information on visa approval can be found atBulletins.

If your sibling filed the I-485, the process can take about six months or more. This form also depends on the number of cases at the designated service point. You can check current I-485 turnaround times through the Service Center.

Important notes to keep in mind:

Sibling Green Card Forms: I-130, I-485, I-693, I-864, DS-260, DS-261

There are several forms that must be submitted during the F4 process. Below is a detailed summary of all the forms you will encounter during the sponsorship process.

Formular I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Form I-130 is always required for any family green card application. Only the US citizen supporting the sibling can complete and submit the form. The sibling is considered the beneficiary. If USCIS accepts and receives the I-130, it assigns a priority date to the petition.

You do not need to file a separate I-130 for your sibling's spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21.

For the best way to complete the I-130, be prepared to answer questions on the following topics:

• The kind of relationship you have with your brother.
• Your biographical information, including:
  • address history
  • Marital status and information about your spouse and any previous spouses
  • information about your parents
  • work history
  • immigration status
  • ethnicity, race, weight, height, and eye and hair color
• Your brother's biographical information, including:
  • Current name and history of name changes
  • Immigration Information
  • current address
  • Marital status and information about your spouse and any previous spouses
  • Information about your brother's children
  • Any US immigration history
  • Information about your brother's employment
• Your history of petitioning other relatives
• Your contact information
• Interpreter contact information, if used
• The contact information of the person who filled out the form, if used

Form I-485, Application for Registration of Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status

If your sibling is already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, you can do soAdjust your conditionfor an immigration green card by filing Form I-485 as soon as your F-4 priority date takes effect. Currently, it takes 1 to 10 years for the F-4 priority date to be updated from the time the I-130 was filed with USCIS. It is important to note that if your sibling is in the country but does not have a visa, you must still apply as if you were outside the country, including traveling to the home country for the embassy interview or consulate if the priority of the date is current.

Your brother is the only one who can fill out the I-485. You must be prepared to answer questions about:

• Basic information about first name, last name, address information and current immigration information
• The visa category they are applying for
• Your address history and employment history.
• information about your parents.
• Information about your current marital status and family history
• Information about your children, if any
• Information about memberships that you had in organizations, clubs, societies, associations or the like during your stay in the USA.
• crime story
• Any security and espionage activities
• Information about the possibility of being a public office
• Any immigration violation or removal
• Your contact information
• Interpreter contact information, if used
• The contact information of the person who filled out the form, if used

Form I-693, medical report, and immunization record

A USCIS-licensed physician must medically examine your sibling for the F4 visa. These results will come with you in a sealed envelopeI-693.

If your sibling lives in the United States, see a licensed physician atUSCIS Find a Doctor Tool. If your brother is out of the country, you must find himUS Embassy or Consulatein your area and read the instructions for medical examination and licensed professionals.

The exam includes a physical and mental assessment, drug and alcohol screening, medical history review, immunization records, and testing for various diseases and conditions. The doctor may refer your brother to another doctor for further tests based on the results of the initial examination. I-693 is not complete and signed until all required testing is completed by the licensed physician.

There are some health issues that make your siblings ineligible that you should be aware of. If your brother has a communicable disease, physical or mental disorder leading to harmful behavior, substance abuse, a mental disorder related to substance abuse that could result in harmful behavior, or lack of evidence of required vaccinations, your brother will not be permitted to enter have F4 visa. If your sibling has other illnesses or disorders, these need not necessarily be considered ineligible, but they can be used as evidence of general ineligibility on other grounds.

Form I-864 Affidavit

To prove that you can support your brother financially until he finds a job, you must file Form I-864. On this form, you must demonstrate annual income of at least 125% of the federal poverty guideline.

You must be prepared to answer questions about:

• Basic information about your sibling's name and address
• Your basic name and address information
• the size of your house
• Your employment and income information
• Income information for others in your household used to support your sibling
• Disclose your assets only if your income alone does not meet 125% of the federal poverty guideline

DS-260 Forms, Electronic Immigrant Visa Application

After your I-130 is approved and the priority date is updated, your siblings must complete the DS-260, the online visa application. A copy of the I-864 must accompany the application.

Green Card Documents Checklist for Siblings

USCIS requires the following documents when applying for an F4 visa:

• A copy of your birth certificate and that of your siblings to show that you have at least one common parent.
• Any document proving your citizenship status, including copies of a birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization, orConsular birth certificate abroad.
• You must submit your most recent federal tax return and the W-2 forms for the Form I-864 Affidavit. You should also submit any 1099 forms from the past three years, payslips from the past six months, a signed letter from your employer, or any other information about your reported income that might be helpful.
• For the medical examination, your sibling should bring a full copy of your medical history, vaccination and immunization records, copies of previous chest X-rays, and your doctor's treatment plan for any medical conditions.
• If your sibling is applying for a status adjustment, you will need a copy of the green card application approval notice, yourArrival/Departure Card I-94, they areI-797 Permission NoticeYour previous nonimmigrant status, a copy of all employment authorization documents, and the results of your original I-693 medical exam. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of nonimmigrant visa your sibling holds.
• Two passport photos

DNA evidenceIt can be filed when birth certificates are unavailable for any reason or deemed unreliable by USCIS. Please note that USCIS may recommend DNA testing, but has no authority to require it.

interview for F4 visa

Once the National Visa Center has all of your documentation, they will set up an appointment with your brother at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. If your sibling has a spouse or children who also have the F4 visa, they must also complete the DS-260, undergo a medical exam, and attend the interview.

The purpose of the interview is to determine if your sibling is eligible for the F4 visa and if all documentation provided is correct. The interviewer will also ask your brother questions about his past.

Your brother must also bring documents to the interview, including photos and originals or copies of all civil documents that will be presented to the National Visa Center. Your brother must not forget to bring one of these documents with him.

What to do if your sibling is denied F4 visa

If your sibling falls under one of the following ineligibility grounds, among others, you will be denied the Sibling Green Card:

• criminal Motive
• Security and espionage motives
• Health reasons
• To be considered a public indictment
• violate immigration law
• Not eligible for citizenship
• previous deletion
• Fraud

Some of these reasons can beresigned. However, the following reasons must not:

• Drug addiction or abuse
• drug trafficking
• Those found to be spies
• involvement in terrorism

What to do if your sibling is eligible for an F4 visa

Once your sibling has received an F4 visa, the first thing you should do is celebrate. Your brother will then receive the visa stamp in his passport along with a sealed package with a stapled letter. Your siblings should verify that the visa and charter information is correct. The package must be presented unopened to an immigration officer at the port of entry.