Getting a sibling to the United States can seem like a long and difficult trip, but family-based immigration programs do allow it. Several families dream of reuniting with siblings, and the law offers a means but requires patience and careful preparation.
It’s 2025, and processing times are still long. The rules can be overwhelming. That’s why it is nice to know exactly what you are going into, and to be able to prepare for it in advance. If you wish to sponsor a brother or sister, the Law Office of Olena Manilich can help you through each step.
Who Can Petition for a Sibling
The only people who can file a petition to bring a brother or sister to the United States are U.S. citizens 21 years old or older. Permanent residents are not eligible to sponsor siblings. This new petition generates what is known as the Family Fourth Preference (F4) group. Once the petition is filed, the sibling can begin a years-long wait for a visa number to be available.
Because the sibling visa is a preference category, the wait time will be determined by both the country of your sibling and how many visas are issued each year. For instance, siblings from countries where demand is high — such as Mexico, the Philippines, and India — frequently wait 15 years or longer. Families from some other countries may still wait more than 10 years. If you need help finding out where your sibling stands in line, contact us to discuss your case.
How the Process Works
The process begins when you file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. After being approved, the case is processed at the National Visa Center upon the availability of a visa number. The sibling then applies for an immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate abroad. If that sibling is already living in the U.S. legally, they may be able to adjust status.
The main difficulty is, of course, the waiting time. The siblings, in the meantime, can’t live in the U.S. unless they qualify based on another visa category, like a student visa or work visa. This makes planning important. Check our immigration lawyer services if you want to see if there might be another type of visa available for your sibling while waiting.
Real-World Example and Costs
Suppose you are a U.S. citizen in New York and want to sponsor your sister from Ukraine. You filed Form I-130 in 2025. The filing fee is $675 as of now. The costs of attorney fees to prepare and file the case will depend on how difficult the case is and whether extra evidence has to be submitted. It can run from $2,5000 – $4,500.
Once the petition is approved, your sister must wait over 14 years before she can apply for her visa. Once her priority date is due, she will also need to pay State Department processing fees, medical exam expenses, and consular application fees, which together may cost another $1,000 to $1,500.
While it can seem frustrating to endure this delay, some families use the waiting time to plan and get documents ready while looking into all other temporary visa options available. Our office helps families step back and consider the big picture so that they do not waste valuable time. Schedule your consultation today to start your application and reunite with your siblings on US soil.
Other Options to Consider
If the waiting time for an F4 sibling petition seems too lengthy, some families explore alternative means of immigration. For instance, your sibling may qualify for an employment-based visa if they have an advanced degree or extraordinary ability.
Does your brother or sister wish to invest in a U.S. company? If so, an investor visa, such as the E-2 Visa, may be an option for them. Every case is unique, but some creative strategies can be used to reduce the length of separation.
Knowing what these options are can help demystify the process. If you have legal representation, you can develop different strategies while your sibling’s petition proceeds. If you want to discuss whether one of these options may work for your sibling, please contact us.
Final Thoughts
It takes patience to bring a brother or sister to the U.S., but it is possible with the right approach. Being informed about the rules and having prepared your petition properly can make a real difference to your family. At the Law Office of Olena Manilich, we assist families daily with petitions such as these. We provide advice from the initial filing through the last visa interview.
If you are interested in initiating the process of bringing your sibling to the United States, we would urge you to schedule your consultation at the earliest.
