Can a U.S. Citizen Sponsor a Sibling?

If you're a U.S. citizen and you’re wondering whether you can bring your brother or sister to the United States, you're not alone. Many families seek reunification through the family-based immigration process. But can a U.S. citizen sponsor a sibling for a green card? The short answer is yes — but it’s not a quick or straightforward process.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps, eligibility requirements, processing times, and key factors to consider when filing a sibling petition.

Who Can Sponsor a Sibling for a Green Card?

First and foremost, you must be a U.S. citizen to petition for your brother or sister to receive a green card. Unlike lawful permanent residents (green card holders), who can only sponsor spouses and unmarried children, citizens can file for extended family members, including siblings.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring a Sibling

Before you start petitioning for an alien relative, it’s important to confirm that you meet the following criteria:

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must be a U.S. citizen (lawful permanent residents can’t petition for siblings).
• You must provide proof of your family relationship, typically a birth certificate showing at least one shared parent.
• If your sibling was adopted, you’ll need adoption documents proving the relationship.

Furthermore, if your sibling was born abroad, a consular report of birth abroad or your parents' marriage certificate may be required. And if either parent was previously married, a divorce decree may be necessary to establish the legitimacy of the sibling relationship.

Step-by-Step Process for Filing a Sibling Petition

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect when sponsoring a sibling for a green card:

Filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)

The first step in the process is filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which establishes the family relationship between you and your sibling. When filing, make sure to include the following:

• Copies of your birth certificate and your sibling’s showing a common parent
• A copy of your naturalization certificate or U.S. passport as proof of citizenship
• Any supporting documents, such as an adoption decree or marriage certificate (if applicable)

You must submit this petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

USCIS Review and Processing

Once USCIS receives your petition, they’ll issue a receipt notice. The processing time can vary, but it often takes several months to a year for approval. If USCIS has concerns or requires more evidence, they may send a Request for Evidence (RFE), which can further delay the process.

Priority Date and Visa Bulletin

Once USCIS approves your petition, your sibling will be placed in the family fourth preference category (F4). The priority date — the date on which USCIS received your petition — will determine when a visa becomes available.

Since family-based immigration has limits, the wait time can be 14 years or more, depending on your sibling's country of birth. Check the Visa Bulletin on the USCIS website for updates.

National Visa Center Processing

When your sibling’s visa number becomes available, the National Visa Center (NVC) will begin processing the case. They’ll request the following items:

• Filing fees
• Additional supporting documents (e.g., financial support evidence)
• A completed Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application)

Note that it may take two to three months for the NVC to approve your Form DS-260.

Consular Processing and Visa Interview

If your sibling is outside the U.S., they must undergo consular processing in their home country. The U.S. embassy will schedule a visa interview with a consular officer. Before the interview, your sibling must undergo a medical examination and submit all required paperwork.

During the interview, they’ll need to demonstrate the legitimacy of the sibling relationship, confirm that they meet all immigration status requirements, and prove that they’ll have financial support upon arriving in the U.S.

Approval and Visa Issuance

If approved, your sibling will receive an immigrant visa and can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident, where they can begin the next chapter of their life.

How Long Does It Take to Sponsor a Sibling?

Sponsoring a sibling for a green card is a long process due to annual visa limits and backlogs in the family-based immigration process. Your total wait time will depend on your sibling’s country of birth and the availability of family preference visas under the Visa Bulletin.

According to the Visa Bulletin for February 2025, the current Final Action Dates for Family F4 visas are as follows:

• Most countries: August 1, 2007 (~17 years)
• The Philippines: May 1, 2004 (~20 years)
• India: April 8, 2006 (~18 years)
• Mexico: March 1, 2001 (~23 years)

These dates indicate that only applicants whose priority dates are before these cutoffs can move forward with the immigration process. For example, in the February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the cutoff date for most countries is August 1, 2007. This means that only petitions filed on or before that date are now eligible for final processing.

The U.S. government only processes sibling green cards when a visa number becomes available. Because visa availability changes over time, it's important to regularly check the Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

If you apply today, your sibling will go into a queue behind all the people who applied before you. Anyone applying now will likely have to wait a number of years before a visa number becomes available for their sibling.

What If Your Sibling Is Already in the U.S.?

If your sibling is already in the U.S. under a valid visa, they may be able to adjust their immigration status once their priority date becomes current. However, they must maintain their legal status until then.

Will Your Sibling’s Family Get Green Cards, Too?

Yes! When your sibling gets a green card, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also apply for permanent residency through the same petition.

Common Reasons for Petition Denials

The process of petitioning for a green card on behalf of a sibling can be delayed or denied for several reasons, including:

• Missing or incorrect supporting documents
• Failure to establish a valid family relationship
• Ineligibility due to previous immigration cases
• Lack of financial support

To improve your chances of approval, it’s essential to do the following:

• Verify that all documents are complete and accurate
• Check your case status regularly on the USCIS website
• Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence

It may also be a good idea to hire an experienced immigration lawyer if you’re having trouble understanding the requirements or are unsure about what to do next.