U.S. citizens are eligible to sponsor various family members for immigration to the United States, including siblings by birth or adoption. However, the process of sponsoring a sibling for a family preference visa can be extremely difficult, and it may take years to successfully complete.
Despite the challenges, persistent applicants can increase their odds of a positive outcome by retaining a San Diego sibling visa lawyer. Guidance and support from a dedicated attorney at Hacking Immigration Law, LLC could be crucial during the initial application process, or with filing an effective appeal if your first attempt does not succeed.
There are two types of visas through which a legal resident of the United States may sponsor a family member’s immigration to the country: immediate family visas and family preference visas. In order to bring a brother or sister into the United States, a qualifying U.S. citizen would need to apply for family preference, specifically a Family Fourth Preference (F4) visa. However, legal permanent residents of the United States, or Green Card holders, are not eligible to sponsor the immigration of siblings.
It is important to note that the “F4” designation indicates the fourth and lowest-priority visa category for siblings of U.S. citizens. Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) only makes a maximum of 65,000 F4 visas available per fiscal year, and current regulations impose extra restrictions and quotas on immigration from certain countries.
In practice, individuals looking to sponsor a sibling’s immigration often have to wait for years to obtain the visa they need. However, applicants can seek assistance from a well-practiced attorney in their area to help smooth the process of acquiring a sibling visa.
Regardless of what type of relative a U.S. citizen wishes to sponsor, the first step in the family preference visa application process is filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form confirms the familial relationship of the prospective sponsor and visa recipient. To prove their relationship with a sibling, a prospective sponsor typically must provide copies of both parties’ birth certificates to show that they share at least one parent, or documentation indicating that they were adopted by a common parent or are related through a step-parent.
Since the waiting period for this type of visa is often long, it is crucial to include as much information as possible in the initial application to minimize the risk of rejection. However, if a request is rejected, a dedicated sibling visa lawyer could help the San Diego applicant pursue an appeal.
If you want to sponsor a sibling’s immigration to the United States, you unfortunately may have complex applications and long waiting periods ahead of you. Assistance from legal counsel can be critical in navigating this process as smoothly as possible.
A conversation with a San Diego sibling visa lawyer could clarify your options and get you started off on the right foot. Call today to discuss your situation with a member of our experienced legal team.
