Revealing How to Sponsor U.S. Immigration under the F-4 Category without a Long Wait

Among all U.S. immigration categories, the F-4 family-based immigration category is a popular choice for many. According to U.S. immigration law, U.S. citizens aged 21 or older are allowed to sponsor their siblings to live and reunite in the U.S.

However, in the eyes of USCIS, sibling green cards fall under the family-based category and not the direct relative category, so the processing time for these applications is quite long.

So, how long does it take to sponsor siblings to the U.S., what is the procedure, and what documents are needed? ImmiPath will answer these questions in the following article. Do not miss it!

1. What is the F-4 Visa for U.S. Immigration?

The F-4 visa is a category of U.S. immigrant visas known as family-based preference visas. This visa allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings for immigration to the U.S. This sponsorship can also include the spouse and unmarried children of the primary applicant.

The F-4 visa permits the siblings of U.S. citizens to reside permanently in the U.S., work without restrictions, and attend educational institutions in the country.

Since the F-4 visa is classified under the fourth preference category, it is subject to annual limits on the number of visas issued. Each year, only 65,000 visas are available in this category.

2. What Are the Conditions for Sponsoring a Sibling for U.S. Immigration?

To sponsor a sibling for permanent residency in the U.S., you must meet the following conditions:

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
• The sponsor must have a sibling living abroad and must provide evidence of this relationship through birth certificates or adoption papers. This can include full siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, or adopted siblings. The sponsor must be residing in the U.S.
• The sponsor must live in the U.S. and have a valid address.

However, the documentation requirements may vary depending on the type of sibling. Here are additional details for each category:

To sponsor full siblings:

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen.
• Be over 21 years old.
• Provide proof of a full sibling relationship, such as birth certificates or other relevant documents.
• Be residing in the U.S.

To sponsor adopted siblings:

• Provide a copy of the adoption decree showing that both you and your adopted sibling were under 16 years old at the time of adoption.
• Note that if your full sibling is adopted by another family, you cannot sponsor them for an F4 visa.

To sponsor step-siblings:

• Provide a copy of your biological parents’ marriage certificate and the marriage certificate of your step-parents.
• Provide documentation proving that any prior marriages of your parents have been terminated.

To sponsor half-siblings:

• Provide a copy of your biological parents’ marriage certificate along with documentation proving that any previous marriages of your parents have ended.

3. What Are the Steps to Apply for an F-4 Immigrant Visa?

The process for applying for an F-4 immigrant visa starts with the U.S. citizen submitting a petition for their sibling and their family to come to the U.S. The petition must be approved before the sibling and their dependents, such as a spouse and children, can begin the F-4 visa application process.

Siblings cannot begin their visa application process and will not be eligible if they apply for an F-4 visa without an approved petition. This means the process is divided into two parts:

• The U.S. citizen files a petition for their sibling, along with their spouse and minor children, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Once the petition is approved, the sibling and their family must apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

3.1 Step 1: File Form I-130 with USCIS

The U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. The petition must include the sibling as the primary beneficiary and, if applicable, their spouse and minor children. This helps streamline the F-4 visa application process for the entire family if the petition is approved.

The petition is submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and is processed within a few months. USCIS will then notify the petitioner whether the petition has been approved or denied. If denied, the reasons will be specified, and the petitioner can correct any issues and submit a new petition.

3.2 Step 2: Submit Documents to the NVC and Pay Fees

If the petition is approved, the documents will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC).

The NVC will then send a packet of instructions and documents to the applicant abroad. These documents will include a case number and invoice ID number, which are used when the application process begins and for fee payments.

However, due to the annual limit on F-4 visas, the applicant cannot start the application process until their priority date is current. This means you can only apply for an F-4 visa when your turn comes up in the queue. For example, if there are more applications than the annual limit, your application will be processed in the following year.

When your priority date becomes current, the NVC will notify you that you can begin the F-4 visa application process. If you are a sibling of a U.S. citizen who is married and has minor children, all family members must apply for the F-4 visa. This process is completed at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

3.3 Step 3: Applicant Submits Form DS-260

Form DS-260, the Online Immigrant Visa Application, must be completed by all immigrant visa applicants. The siblings of the sponsor, along with their spouse and children, must each submit a separate DS-260 form. This is an online form where you must provide basic information and state your reasons for immigration.

To access it, you need to enter your NVC case number to link it to your approved petition. After submitting Form DS-260, you will receive a confirmation page and number, which you must keep and send to the NVC along with other supporting documents.

3.4 Step 4: Medical Examination and Vaccinations Before the Interview

All applicants for U.S. immigration must meet medical and vaccination requirements to reside permanently in the country. The NVC will inform you about the required medical exams and vaccinations that you and your family must complete to meet the F-4 visa requirements.

You need to visit authorized physicians to receive the necessary vaccinations and complete any required documentation signed by the doctor. These documents will be attached as supporting evidence when you submit your application to the NVC.

3.5 Step 5: Prepare Required Documents

The sponsor must convince the NVC and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that you and your sibling meet all the requirements and are eligible for the F-4 visa. The required documents include:

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining beyond your intended entry into the U.S. (for the sibling, spouse, and minor children if applicable).
• Signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support from the sponsor in the U.S.
• DS-260 confirmation page.
• Medical examination and vaccination records.
• Two passport-sized photos for each individual according to U.S. visa photo requirements.
• Valid marriage certificate of the sibling to prove the spouse’s relationship to the applicant.
• Birth certificates or adoption papers for the beneficiary’s children.
• Police clearance certificates or background checks.
• If previously married, provide divorce decrees or death certificates to prove the prior marriage has been officially terminated.
• Military records if applicable.

3.6 Step 6: Attend the Interview

Sponsoring a sibling for U.S. immigration requires an interview with a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the beneficiary resides. After the NVC confirms that you have submitted all necessary documents, they will schedule the interview, which you must attend on time.

If the spouse and minor children are also applying with you, they must attend the interview as well. The consular officer will ask questions about your background and determine whether you qualify for the F-4 visa. The results of the interview will be provided immediately afterward.

3.7 Step 7: Receive NVC Documents and Enter the U.S.

If the U.S. Embassy approves your F-4 immigrant visa, it will be stamped in your passport. Along with the visa, the Embassy will provide you with several documents that you must present upon your initial entry into the U.S.

You are not allowed to open these documents under any circumstances. An immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry will open them and determine whether you are allowed to enter the country.

If the Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. port of entry approves your entry, you and your accompanying family members will receive a 10-year Green Card, becoming lawful permanent residents and starting a new life in the U.S.

4. Cost of Sponsoring U.S. Immigration under F-4 Visa

Many individuals seeking to sponsor their siblings for U.S. immigration are curious about the costs of sponsoring U.S. immigration under an F-4 visa. To address this, ImmiPath has compiled the following breakdown of expenses for F-4 visa sponsorship:

Item	Cost
Filing fee for USCIS application	535 USD per petition
Financial support affidavit review fee for NVC	120 USD per petition
Civil documents review fee for NVC	325 USD per person
Medical examination at Cho Ray Hospital, IOM	Adults: 275 USD Children (ages 2-14): 240 USD Children (under 2): 165 USD
Immigrant fee (USCIS)	220 USD per person
Police clearance certificate (obtained from local police department)	200,000 VND per person
Document translation costs	Varies by provider and number of pages
Visa delivery fee	140,000 VND
Additional Costs	Additional expenses may include fees for legal or immigration services, travel, accommodation for the interview, and airfare to the U.S. if the visa is approved.

5. How Long Does It Take to Sponsor Siblings for U.S. Immigration?

The time required to sponsor siblings for U.S. immigration is a common concern, as many people eagerly wish to reunite with their loved ones in the Land of the Free.

If you are applying for an F-4 visa for your siblings, be prepared for a lengthy waiting period. The exact wait time depends on the nationality of the sponsor and the workload of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the application is submitted.

There is a limited number of F-4 visas processed each year. Once this cap is reached, USCIS will not process any additional applications until the following year. There may be many sibling sponsorship applications ahead of yours in the queue.

Some applicants are fortunate and receive a decision on their F-4 visa application within a year. However, others may wait much longer. It is not uncommon for F-4 visa applicants to wait several years before their application is processed.

On average, the wait time for siblings to be sponsored to the U.S. is 14 to 16 years. This is considered one of the longest waiting periods among U.S. immigration categories.

If you need to come to the U.S. sooner, you might consider applying for a non-immigrant visa while waiting for the F-4 visa. For example, you could visit your siblings in the U.S. using a B-2 Tourist Visa.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About the F-4 U.S. Immigration Process

6.1. What is the Affidavit of Support for the F-4 Immigration Visa?

The Affidavit of Support is a contract in which a U.S. sponsor proves they have sufficient financial resources to support their relative after they immigrate to the U.S.

In this document, the sponsor agrees to use their financial resources to assist the visa applicant so that they do not become a public charge upon arriving in the U.S. The Affidavit of Support is required for most family-based visas, including the F-4 visa.

6.2. Why is the process for sponsoring siblings to immigrate to the U.S. so slow?

The F-4 visa falls under the family preference category of green cards. These visas have an annual cap on the number of visas that can be issued to applicants. Only 65,000 F-4 visas are granted each year. Once this cap is reached, USCIS stops processing visa applications until the next fiscal year. 

This is why applicants for the F-4 visa often experience lengthy wait times before their applications are approved.

6.3. Can my F-4 visa be denied?

Unfortunately, like any other U.S. visa, your F-4 visa can be denied. Some reasons for denial may include:

• Violations of U.S. immigration laws
• Previous deportation from the U.S.
• Convictions of fraud
• Prior involvement in drug trafficking or terrorism

These are just a few examples of situations that might lead to a visa denial. Each case is unique, and immigration officials will carefully review all applications and may determine that there are other factors that make you ineligible for the visa.

6.4. Will I have access to U.S. healthcare services with an F-4 visa?

Yes, you will have access to healthcare services in the U.S. with an F-4 visa. However, medical treatment costs in the U.S. are among the highest in the world. 

For example, treating a broken leg or arm can cost around $2,500, while staying in a U.S. hospital can average over $10,000. It is advisable to choose a health insurance plan that is affordable and meets your needs.

With the information provided by ImmiPath, you should now have a comprehensive understanding of the F-4 visa process. We hope this information is helpful for you in sponsoring your sibling to the U.S.

If you have any further questions about U.S. immigration for siblings or need assistance with your application, please leave a comment below with your phone number. Our team of advisors at ImmiPath will support and advise you with all the experience to help your family reunite in the U.S. soon.