Can I Sponsor My Siblings or Married Children?

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you might wonder: “Can I bring my brother or sister to the U.S.?” Or maybe you think, “What about my married child — can I sponsor them too?” The short answer: yes, in many cases, but there are important rules and long wait times to consider.

Here’s a simple guide to help you understand how sponsorship works for siblings and married children under U.S. immigration law.

Who Can I Sponsor as a U.S. Citizen?

According to USCIS, there are certain family members you can sponsor:

• Siblings (brothers or sisters) — but only if you are at least 21 years old. 
• Married children — yes, you can sponsor your married sons or daughters. They fall under what’s called the “third preference” family category. 

You start the process by filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS. 

How Does Sponsoring Siblings Work?

Here’s how it works if you’re sponsoring your brother or sister:

1. File Form I-130
   You fill out the I-130 form to tell USCIS you want to bring your sibling. 
2. Show Your Relationship
   You need to prove you are siblings: for example, by showing birth certificates that say you share a parent. 
3. Be Financially Supportive
   As a sponsor, you often need to promise you’ll support your sibling financially. 
4. Wait for a Visa Number
   Siblings are in a “preference category” with a limited number of visas each year (called F4). 
5. Wait a Long Time
   Because there are many applications but few visas, the wait can be very long. 

How About Sponsoring Married Children?

Sponsoring married children works too, but there are also some important things to know:

• You file Form I-130 for each child you want to sponsor. 
• Married children fall into the “third preference” (F3) category, which also has limits each year. 
• Because visas are capped, married children also have long wait times.

Things to Think About

• Age requirement for sibling sponsor: You must be at least 21 years old to file for a brother or sister. 
• Visa numbers: There are only a limited number of Green Cards available each year for these categories, so people wait in line. 
• Proof of relationship: It’s important to show real proof — like birth certificates or adoption papers. 
• Financial support: You need to show you can support them so they won’t rely on government help. 

Having an experienced immigration attorney can help walk you through this process. Call us today to discuss your case. 630-345-4164

FAQs 

Q1. Do I need to be a citizen to sponsor my sibling or married child?
Yes — only U.S. citizens (not green card holders) can sponsor siblings.
You also need to be 21 or older to sponsor siblings. 

Q2. How long will it take for my sibling or married child to get a visa?
It depends a lot. Because siblings (F4) and married children (F3) fall under “preference” categories, there are annual limits. That means sometimes people wait many years. 

Q3. Can I include their spouse or children in my petition?

• For siblings, you can include their unmarried children under 21 as “derivative beneficiaries.” 
• For married children, their spouse or children may also be eligible, but it’s more complicated because of visa limits and how “preference” categories work.

Thinking about sponsoring your siblings or married children for a Green Card? It’s a big decision and not always easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. Godoy Law Office is here to help.

Our team of experienced immigration attorneys can:

• Help you fill out the Form I-130 correctly
• Explain how long the wait could be for your family
• Guide you through all the paperwork and rules

👉 Contact us today at 630-345-4164 for a consultation and let us guide you through the process step by step.

🌐 Serving clients from 7 office locations: Oak Brook • Waukegan • Elgin • Orland Park • Berwyn • Aurora • Joliet