Green Card for Siblings:
Meaning and Eligibility
Learn how a U.S. citizen can sponsor a brother or sister, the I-130 processing time for siblings and more with guidance from Din Law Group.
A green card for siblings allows a brother or sister of a U.S. citizen to live and work permanently in the United States. This process starts with Form I-130. This form proves the family relationship. Many families choose to work with an immigration law firm like Din Law Group at this early stage, because mistakes here can add years to the wait.
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Who Can File a Sibling Petition?
Only U.S. citizens who are 21 years old or older can file for a sibling. Green card holders cannot sponsor siblings.
To prove your relationship, you need:
- Birth certificates showing at least one common parent
- Adoption records, if needed
- Marriage or divorce certificates for parents, if applicable
Green card for sibling petitions fall under the F4 family preference category, which is subject to strict annual visa limits. As a result, the U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister processing time is lengthy, even after the petition is approved.
If your sibling lives outside the United States, the case will go through consular processing. That means the final interview happens at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
If your sibling is already in the U.S., the rules are stricter. They must keep a lawful status while waiting. Many people lose eligibility here by accident.
What Types of Siblings Can Be Sponsored?
A green card for siblings is not limited to full biological brothers or sisters. The U.S. immigration law allows several types of sibling relationships to qualify.
- Step-siblings: Your parents must have been married before you were 18 and still married.
- Adopted siblings: Both of you must have been under 16 when the adoption happened.
- Half-siblings: You need legal papers to show who your shared parent is and their marriages.
Step-by-Step: U.S. Citizen Filing for a Brother or Sister Process
These are the steps involved in getting a green card for your siblings.
File the Form I-130
This form proves your sibling is related to you. You need to prove that you are a U.S. citizen by providing your passport or your naturalization certificate.
You also have to show papers that prove your family connection, like adoption papers or other legal documents. Birth certificates have to be included as well.
Wait for Approval and Priority Date
After you send everything and USCIS says yes to your I-130, your brother or sister doesn’t get to come right away. They go on a waitlist and you must wait for a visa to become available to them.
This is where the I-130 processing time for siblings comes into play. You can check updates on the USCIS Visa Bulletin.
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What Is the I-130 Processing Time for Siblings?
The wait is really long because there are only a certain number of visas each year, for each country. Here’s a general estimate of the timeline:
- Most countries: 15-20 years
- Philippines: 20 years
- India: 18 years
- Mexico: 23 years
That’s why working with an immigration lawyer is so crucial. They make sure your application is correct and that you follow all necessary rules while you wait for a priority date. Waiting 20 years for a priority date only for a small error to derail your application is every immigrant’s worst nightmare.
National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
When a visa becomes available, the NVC requests documents, fees, and Form DS-260. This part usually takes up to a few months.
Consular Processing or Adjusting Status
If your brother or sister is not in the U.S., they go to a visa interview at the U.S. embassy in their country. But if they are already in the U.S. on a valid visa, they can try to change their status to a green card once their priority date comes up.
Visa Approval
When the visa is approved, your sibling will get an immigrant visa. When they are inspected and admitted into the U.S., they become a lawful permanent resident.
Work with Din Law Group to Sponsor a Green Card for Siblings
At Din Law Group, we are a family-committed law firm, and we can help you through every step of the sibling petition. We make sure your I-130 is accurate and complete, track priority dates, and prepare you for interviews. Filing incorrectly or missing documents can cost years, so having an experienced immigration attorney helps.
Schedule a consultation today to start the process and bring your sibling closer to becoming a U.S. permanent resident.
