Sibling Visa Sponsorship: A Lengthy Path Exclusive to U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens can sponsor their siblings for permanent residency, but Green Card holders cannot. This process is governed by strict immigration rules and involves significant waiting periods. The sponsorship is a complex legal pathway with many requirements.

According to Reuters, this family-based immigration category faces high demand and annual limits. The resulting backlog means applicants from certain countries may wait for decades.

Eligibility and Financial Requirements for Sponsors

Only a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old can file a petition for a brother or sister. The citizen must prove their status with a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. The sibling relationship must be proven through shared parentage.

This includes biological, half-siblings, and step-siblings. Adopted siblings also qualify if the adoption was finalized before the child turned 16.

Sponsors must also demonstrate financial stability. They are required to submit an Affidavit of Support.

This legally binding document proves the sponsor’s income meets or exceeds federal poverty guidelines. The goal is to ensure the new immigrant will not need public assistance.

The Reality of Wait Times and Visa Caps

Siblings of U.S. citizens fall under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) visa category. This category has the lowest priority among family-based visas. The annual cap is approximately 65,000 visas worldwide.

High application volumes from countries like India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines create immense backlogs. For many, the wait exceeds 15 to 20 years.

The process begins when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives the I-130 petition. The receipt date becomes the applicant’s “priority date.”

An immigrant visa only becomes available when this priority date is current in the State Department’s Visa Bulletin. As of recent bulletins, some applicants have been waiting since 2001.

The path to sibling visa sponsorship remains a test of patience, reserved solely for U.S. citizens. Those considering this route should prepare for a commitment measured in decades, not years.

Info at your fingertips

Can a Green Card holder sponsor a sibling?

No. U.S. lawful permanent residents, or Green Card holders, do not have the legal authority to sponsor siblings for immigration. This right is exclusively available to U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old.

How long does the sibling visa process take?

The process is extremely lengthy. Wait times routinely extend beyond 15 to 20 years due to annual visa caps and high demand. The exact time depends on the sibling’s country of origin and the current visa bulletin.

What is a priority date?

The priority date is when USCIS receives the initial I-130 petition. It establishes the applicant’s place in the visa queue. A visa is only available when this date becomes current in the monthly Visa Bulletin.

Which siblings are eligible for sponsorship?

Eligible siblings include those with at least one common parent. This covers biological, half-, step-, and adopted siblings, provided the relationship was established before the siblings turned 18 (or 16 for adoptions).

Why is the wait so long for a sibling visa?

The wait is long because siblings are in the lowest-preference category for family visas. There is a high number of applicants and a limited supply of visas issued each year, creating a massive backlog.