F4 Visa Category

Successful F4 applicants become lawful permanent residents in the United States. They can work in the U.S. without an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). They can also obtain a Social Security number and study freely.

The annual cap on the number of F4 visas is 65,000. Unfortunately, this means there are long waiting times for these visas.

If you want to sponsor a sibling to come to the U.S., we can assist you with an F4 visa application and guide you every step of the way. Since the processing time is slow, the sooner you apply, the better.

Who Is Eligible for the F4 Visa?

Eligibility criteria apply to both the petitioner and the beneficiaries.

The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen and be at least 21. The siblings must be documented in a foreign country through birth certificates or adoption documents. The petitioner should also meet the residence requirement of living in the U.S. with a valid U.S. address.

The petitioner cannot be a permanent resident or green card holder of the United States.

The beneficiary needs to have a U.S.-citizen sibling. If the beneficiary is married and has children, their spouse and children may also qualify for the F4 visa.

How to Apply for the F4 Visa?

The U.S. citizen must initiate the F4 visa application procedure by filing Form I-130. The petition must be granted before siblings can begin the application process for their immigration visas.

The application is split into two parts:

A U.S. citizen applies to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for their sibling, sibling’s spouse, and minor children.
After the petition is authorized, the sibling and their family must apply to a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality.

What Is the F4 Visa Application Process?

Stage 1 – Petition Submission

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, must be filed with USCIS by the U.S. citizen. The petition must name the sibling as the primary individual. The petition must include the spouse and children if the sibling is married with minor children.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processes the petition within a few months. The petition will subsequently be authorized or refused by the USCIS. If the petition is refused, the reason will be stated, and the petitioner can remedy any errors and resubmit the petition.

The documents are forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) if the petition is granted.

The NVC then distributes instructions and paperwork to international applicants. The case number and invoice I.D. number are included in the documents. These will be utilized when the application process begins and for applicants to pay the application costs.

Applicants can begin the application procedure once their priority date is current.

Stage 2 – Siblings Apply For The Visa

When your priority date becomes current, the NVC will notify you that you may begin the F4 visa application procedure.

If you are the sibling of a U.S. citizen and are married with minor children, you must all apply for F4 visas separately.

This is done at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your own country.

Filing of Form DS-260

You, your spouse, and your children must complete a DS-260 Form.

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation page with a number you must retain.

Vaccination And Complete Medical Checkup

The NVC will advise you of the medical checkups and immunizations you and your family need.

You must go to a licensed doctor to acquire the immunizations and get the documentation signed by the doctor. You then send these to the NVC.

Compilation of Your File of Documents

Your paper file must contain all the documentation required to support your case. You must include the following information in the file:

Your passports
Affidavit of Support from the U.S. petitioner
Confirmation page for Form DS-260
Medical records and vaccination records
Each individual must submit two photos
Your legitimate marriage certificate
Your children’s birth certificates or adoption papers
Court and criminal records, as well as a police certificate
If previously married, submit divorce papers or death certificates to confirm the marriage was legally ended
Your service records if you served in the military

Attend A Consular Interview

After the NVC confirms that you have submitted the required papers, they will arrange an interview. If you are applying with your spouse and children, they must join you for the interview.

Travel To The United States

If approved, your visa is stamped in your passport. The Embassy will give you a package you must bring when visiting the United States. Do not open or tamper with the package. An immigration official at the U.S. border will open it and assess whether or not you may enter the country.

How Long Is the F4 Visa Processing Time?

Processing times are long. This is due to the cap on F4 visas. Once the cap is reached, F4 Visas are processed at the start of the following year. This leads to delays.

The waiting periods can also depend on the immigrants’ country of birth. Different countries receive different quotas.

What Are the Fees for an F4 Visa?

Fees are set by the USCIS, the DHS, and the individual U.S. embassy or consulate where you are applying.

Various fees payable by the petitioner (sponsor) and the applicant include the following:

Form I-130 filing fee
Application Processing fee for the Form DS-260
The medical exam, which is doctor dependent
Vaccination fees, if applicable
Fees regarding all the supporting documents
Translation fees, where applicable
USCIS immigrant fee

F4 Visas and Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law

Are you looking for an experienced and empathic immigration attorney in Texas?

We can assist with your F4 Visa application. We can also assist you in preparing for your F4 visa interview.

Throughout the F4 visa application procedure, our skilled immigration attorneys provide expert guidance, meticulous attention to detail, and steadfast support to ensure a smooth and successful application process. With their in-depth knowledge of immigration laws and procedures, our attorneys navigate complexities, address challenges, and work diligently to maximize the chances of securing the F4 visa for you and your eligible family members.

They provide eligibility guidance and assist with document preparation and petition filing. They can also manage communication with USCIS and assist with interview preparation. While they cannot guarantee acceptance, their knowledge increases your chances of success.

Consider giving our team of motivated and gritty lawyers a call. We deal with all immigration issues, great and small, including an overstay visa.