US Sibling Visa: Who Can Sponsor, Eligibility Rules, and Long Wait Times
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Sponsoring a sibling to live in the United States as a permanent resident is a complex and time-consuming process. Only US citizens who are 21 years or older can sponsor their siblings for immigration, while Green Card holders do not have this privilege. According to Abhisha Parikh, an immigration attorney based in the US, the process begins with submitting Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) after the sponsor files a petition for their sibling. However, this visa category is subject to annual limitations and long wait times due to high demand in certain countries. To be eligible to sponsor a US sibling visa, the sponsor must be a US citizen who is at least 21 years old and has a biological or adopted relationship with the sibling. The sibling must also have at least one parent in common. While the initial filing phase does not require proof of financial ability, the sponsor must submit Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) later to demonstrate their ability to support the immigrant sibling and their family. Unlike US citizens, Green Card holders cannot sponsor siblings. The privilege of sponsoring siblings is exclusive to US citizens, who can also sponsor their spouse and unmarried children under 21 as derivative beneficiaries. Siblings of US citizens fall under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category, which is subject to annual limitations and has a long wait time. According to the US Department of State's Visa Bulletin, obtaining a sibling visa can take over 10 years, and in some cases, even decades. To monitor the status of their petition, individuals can review the monthly Visa Bulletin, which outlines the priority dates that are currently under processing. The priority date establishes the sibling's position in the queue and determines their eligibility for an immigrant visa. For example, in the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, cases submitted in March 2001 for Mexico were still being processed, resulting in a 24-year wait. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to review the Visa Bulletin regularly to stay informed about their case and plan accordingly.
