How Can You Sponsor Your Siblings for a Green Card?

For many U.S. citizens, bringing family members to the United States is a deeply personal goal. One of the pathways to achieving family reunification is through the U.S. immigration system, which allows certain U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings for permanent residency, also known as a green card. At Suday Law in Houston, Texas, we help individuals navigate the complex process of sibling sponsorship with the clarity and legal guidance required to ensure a smooth and compliant petition.

Understanding the process of sponsoring your brother or sister is essential before initiating any paperwork. While U.S. immigration laws provide a pathway, it is important to note that this category often involves long waiting periods and requires careful preparation of forms and supporting documentation.

Who Can Sponsor a Sibling for a Green Card?

Only U.S. citizens can sponsor a sibling for lawful permanent residency. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) do not have the ability to sponsor siblings under current immigration law. Additionally, the U.S. citizen sponsor must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years old
  
• Be able to provide proof of the sibling relationship (typically through birth certificates or other legal documentation)
  
• Be willing to act as a financial sponsor, meaning they must demonstrate the ability to support their sibling financially in the United States
  

It is important to understand that even though you may be eligible to sponsor a sibling, the process does not guarantee immediate entry. Sibling sponsorship falls under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category, which is subject to annual caps and extended wait times, depending on the sibling’s country of origin.

Step-by-Step Overview of the Sponsorship Process

Step 1: File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

The process begins with the filing of Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the qualifying relationship between the U.S. citizen petitioner and the sibling abroad.

When completing Form I-130, you will be required to submit supporting evidence, including:

• A copy of your U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport
  
• A copy of your sibling’s birth certificate
  
• Proof that both you and your sibling share at least one common parent
  
• Legal documents proving name changes (if applicable)
  
• Marriage and divorce records, if relevant to confirming the family relationship

All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Once the I-130 petition is filed, USCIS will issue a receipt notice, and the petition will enter the queue for processing. This can take several months depending on USCIS workloads.

Step 2: USCIS Approval and Forwarding to the National Visa Center (NVC)

If USCIS approves the I-130 petition, it does not mean that a green card is issued right away. The approved petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), which is part of the U.S. Department of State.

The NVC holds the petition until a visa becomes available in the F4 category. Because this category is numerically limited, there is typically a multi-year wait before the beneficiary can proceed to the next step.

The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly, which shows the priority dates for each category. Your sibling’s priority date is the date USCIS received your I-130 petition. Once that date becomes “current” in the Visa Bulletin, your sibling may proceed with the immigrant visa process.

Step 3: Affidavit of Support and Additional Forms

When the priority date becomes current, the petitioner must submit Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). This form serves as a financial guarantee to the U.S. government that the sponsored sibling will not become a public charge.

As the petitioner, you must demonstrate that your household income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or secure a joint sponsor who meets the income requirement.

You will also be required to submit:

• DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application)
  
• Civil documents, including police certificates, birth records, and marriage certificates
  
• Medical examination results conducted by a USCIS-approved physician
  

Step 4: Consular Interview or Adjustment of Status

The final steps differ based on whether the sibling is inside or outside the United States.

If Outside the U.S.:

The sibling will attend a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. A consular officer will review the documents and conduct a visa interview. If approved, your sibling will be granted an immigrant visa and will enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.

If Inside the U.S.:

If your sibling is legally present in the United States on another visa, and the priority date is current, they may be eligible to file for adjustment of status using Form I-485. However, many siblings are abroad, and consular processing is the more common path.

Country-Specific Wait Times and the Visa Bulletin

The wait time for sibling green card petitions varies by country of origin due to per-country caps on family-based immigration. Countries with high numbers of immigration petitions—such as Mexico, India, the Philippines, and China—may experience longer backlogs.

As of 2025, the wait time for a sibling green card petition in the F4 category can range from 14 to over 20 years, depending on the sibling’s country of birth. Petitioners and their siblings must regularly check the Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State to monitor progress on their priority date.

Legal and Practical Considerations

Sponsoring a sibling is a significant commitment, both emotionally and financially. It is essential to:

• Ensure accuracy in documentation to prevent delays or denials
  
• Maintain up-to-date contact information with USCIS and the NVC
  
• Keep copies of all correspondence and receipts
  
• Understand that changes in immigration law or policy may affect timelines or eligibility
  

Additionally, your sibling may not bring their family (spouse and children) immediately unless they are listed as derivative beneficiaries. However, if the petition was filed before your sibling’s children turned 21, they may be eligible to immigrate at the same time, depending on how long the petition was pending.

It is also important to know that sponsoring a sibling does not grant them work authorization or legal status in the United States while they wait. They must remain in legal status if they are in the U.S., or remain abroad until their immigrant visa is approved.

Common Reasons for Denial

While many sibling petitions are successful, some are denied due to avoidable errors. Common reasons include:

• Failure to establish the sibling relationship through proper documentation
  
• Insufficient financial sponsorship
  
• Inadmissibility issues on the part of the sibling (such as past immigration violations or criminal history)
  
• Fraud or misrepresentation in the application process
  

Legal guidance can help prevent many of these issues. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can ensure that your petition is properly prepared and that you are fully informed throughout the process.

Why Work with Suday Law?

At Suday Law, our Houston-based immigration attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients with family-based immigration petitions, including the complex process of sibling sponsorship. We understand the importance of reuniting families and provide personalized guidance to ensure each step of the process is handled with accuracy and care.

Our services include:

• Evaluating your eligibility to sponsor a sibling
  
• Preparing and filing Form I-130 and supporting documentation
  
• Monitoring your case through USCIS and the National Visa Center
  
• Assisting with affidavit of support requirements
  
• Coordinating consular processing or adjustment of status
  
• Representing you and your family in communications with immigration authorities
  

Whether you are just beginning the process or have encountered complications with a pending case, we are here to provide clear, reliable legal support.