Applying for a US visa for siblings can seem complicated, but with the right information, the process can be smoother. If you are a US citizen or legal permanent resident and wish to bring your brother or sister to the United States, there is a specific visa category for this purpose. This article will walk you through the steps of applying for a US visa for siblings, making sure you understand the requirements and procedures involved.
Understanding the Family Preference Visa Category
The visa that allows US citizens to sponsor their siblings is called the Family Preference Visa under the F4 category. This visa is available only to US citizens (not green card holders) who are 21 years of age or older. If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you cannot sponsor your sibling until you become a US citizen. The F4 visa is for brothers and sisters of US citizens, along with their spouses and minor children.
Steps to Apply for a US Visa for Siblings
1. File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
The first step in the process is to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the relationship between you (the petitioner) and your sibling (the beneficiary). You will need to include proof of your US citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of your sibling relationship (such as birth certificates of both siblings showing the same parent).
Documents Required:
Completed Form I-130.
Copy of your US passport or birth certificate.
Copies of birth certificates of both you and your sibling.
Evidence of any name changes (if applicable).
Filing fee (currently $535 but subject to change).
Once the I-130 petition is approved, your sibling will be placed in the F4 visa category, and they will need to wait for their visa to become available. Since the F4 category has an annual limit on the number of visas, there is typically a long waiting period—sometimes several years, depending on your sibling’s country of origin.
2. Wait for Visa Availability
After the I-130 petition is approved, your sibling must wait until their priority date becomes current. The priority date is the date on which the I-130 petition was filed. The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, which is updated monthly, will indicate when visas are available in each category.
The waiting time varies depending on the country of your sibling’s origin and the demand for family preference visas in that country. Countries such as Mexico, India, the Philippines, and China often have longer wait times due to higher demand.
3. Complete the DS-260 Form (Online Immigrant Visa Application)
Once your sibling’s priority date becomes current and a visa is available, they must complete Form DS-260, the Online Immigrant Visa Application. This form is submitted to the National Visa Center (NVC), part of the US Department of State.
Documents Required:
Valid passport.
Birth certificate.
Marriage certificate (if applicable).
Police certificates (from any country where the applicant lived for six months or more after age 16).
Two passport-sized photos.
Medical examination results (from an authorized physician).
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
The DS-260 form asks for personal information, including your sibling’s background, work history, education, and whether they have been involved in any criminal activity or have violated US immigration laws in the past.
4. Pay Visa Fees
There are several fees associated with the US visa application process. These fees can include:
I-130 petition filing fee ($535).
NVC processing fee for the immigrant visa application (around $325).
Affidavit of Support fee (around $120).
In addition, your sibling will need to pay for their medical examination and any other required documents such as police certificates or passport renewals.
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5. Prepare for the Visa Interview
Once your sibling has completed Form DS-260 and paid the required fees, they will be scheduled for an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The purpose of the interview is to verify the information provided in the application and ensure that your sibling is eligible for a visa.
Your sibling should prepare by gathering all necessary documentation and being ready to answer questions about their background, relationship with the petitioner, and reasons for immigrating to the United States. The consular officer will review the documents and may ask questions about your family relationship, the petitioner’s financial situation, and the sibling’s future plans in the US.
6. Attend the Medical Examination
Before attending the visa interview, your sibling will need to undergo a medical examination with a doctor approved by the US Embassy or Consulate. The doctor will check for specific health conditions that may make someone inadmissible to the United States, such as contagious diseases or certain mental health issues.
The results of the medical exam will be sent directly to the embassy or consulate, or your sibling may be required to bring them to the visa interview.
7. Receive a Decision on the Visa Application
After the interview, the consular officer will make a decision on your sibling’s visa application. If the application is approved, your sibling will be given a visa to enter the United States as a lawful permanent resident. They will receive a visa packet that they must present to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival in the US.
If the visa is denied, your sibling will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial and whether they are eligible to appeal or reapply in the future.
8. Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee
After the visa is issued but before traveling to the US, your sibling will need to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee (currently $220) online. This fee covers the cost of processing your sibling’s green card, which will be mailed to their US address after they enter the country.
9. Enter the United States
Once your sibling’s visa is approved and they have paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee, they can travel to the US as a lawful permanent resident. At the port of entry, they will be processed by a CBP officer, and their visa packet will be reviewed. After this, they will officially become a green card holder.
Conclusion
Applying for a US visa for siblings involves multiple steps and can take several years to complete, especially due to long waiting times for family preference visas. By carefully following the process—from filing the I-130 petition to attending the visa interview—you can increase the chances of success for your sibling’s visa application. Understanding the requirements and providing accurate documentation at each stage are essential to ensuring a smooth process for bringing your sibling to the United States.
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