Family means everything. As an immigrant-founded and run firm, we’ve walked the path of immigration ourselves. One common question we receive is: “Can I sponsor my brother or sister for a green card?” The answer is yes—but the journey is long and requires careful planning. Here’s what you need to know:
Who Can Sponsor a Sibling?
Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can file a petition for their siblings. Unfortunately, green card holders (permanent residents) do not have this privilege under current immigration laws. The sibling relationship must be proven with valid documentation, such as birth certificates showing at least one common parent, step parent, even through adoption.
Sibling sponsorship falls under the F4 family preference category, which is subject to strict annual caps and per-country limits. This category often experiences some of the longest wait times in the family-based immigration system.
The Sponsorship Process: Step-by-Step
1. Filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Begin by submitting Form I-130 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes your qualifying family relationship. You’ll need to provide supporting evidence, including but not limited to depending on the case:
- Birth certificates for both siblings
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., passport, naturalization certificate)
2. Waiting for a Visa to Become Available
Once USCIS approves the I-130, your sibling is added to a visa waitlist. Since the F4 category is capped annually, this part of the process can take many years, depending on your sibling’s country of birth.
The U.S. Department of State publishes a Visa Bulletin monthly showing which applications are currently eligible for the next step. Your sibling can move forward only when their priority date (the date USCIS received your I-130) becomes “current” in the Visa Bulletin.
Typical wait times can range from 15 to 20+ years for applicants from countries like the Philippines, India, and Mexico. But you should note that it is impossible to predict the wait time purely based on the dates indicated in the visa bulletin at any given time. Unfortunately, even in this visa category, the date could retrogress and therefore go backwards which means that the wait would be even longer than initially thought when the petition was first filed.
3. Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status
Once a visa becomes available:
- If your sibling is outside the U.S.: They’ll complete consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
- If your sibling is already in the U.S.: They may be eligible for adjustment of status, provided they meet certain criteria, including lawful entry and visa availability.
Bringing the Family – But it May Take Time
When your sibling immigrates, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 may also qualify for green cards as derivative beneficiaries.
⚠️ Important: If the process takes too long, children may “age out” (turn 21) and lose eligibility. However, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) can sometimes protect their eligibility by “freezing” their age at the time of filing the I-130 petition under certain conditions.
Exploring Other Options
While sibling sponsorship is possible, it’s often one of the longest immigration routes. Depending on your sibling’s situation, other pathways might be faster:
- Employment-Based Visas: If your sibling has a U.S. job offer or specialized skills, they may qualify for an employment-based green card.
- Other Family-Based Preferences: If your sibling has a spouse or child who is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, they may qualify under a different category.
- Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: An annual program that offers green cards to people from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration.
👉 Learn more about the Diversity Visa Lottery – read our latest DV lottery article here.
👉 Explore employment-based visa options.
Sign Up for the MLG Newsletter!
Ready to Begin the Journey?
We’re a team of immigrants and immigration lawyers who know how complex—and emotional—this journey can be. If you’re thinking about sponsoring a sibling or just want to understand your options, you’re not alone. We’re here to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you figure out the best path forward for your family. Reach out to McEntee Law Group when you’re ready—we’d be honored to help.
