How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card For A Sibling?

Family unity is one of the primary goals of immigration policy in the United States. If you are an American citizen and want to sponsor a sibling for a green card, it is possible but it often takes many years. Depending on your home country, it’s not unusual for a sibling green card to take as long as 10 or 15 years! This is because sibling green cards are 4th in the preference category for family-based green cards. This means that siblings of US citizens must wait in line behind the spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens.

The processing time for sibling green cards varies depending on the country of origin. For example, siblings of U.S. citizens from Mexico and India currently have a wait time of over 15 years. Siblings of U.S. citizens from the Philippines and Vietnam have a wait time of over 10 years.

Requirements To Sponsor A Sibling For A Green Card

In order to sponsor a sibling for an immigrant visa petition, the sponsor must:

•  Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States or a legal permanent resident
• Live in the United States, or in a United States possession or territory
• Meet all immigrant visa sponsor income requirements

How To Expedite A Green Card For A Sibling

There are a few things you can do to speed up the processing time for your sibling’s green card:

• File the I-130 petition for your sibling as soon as possible. This will put your sibling on the waiting list sooner.
• Make sure your sibling meets all of the eligibility requirements for a green card. This includes being at least 21 years old and unmarried.
• Keep your I-130 petition up to date. If your sibling’s address or contact information changes, you need to notify USCIS.
• Work with an immigration attorney. An attorney can help you file the I-130 petition and other necessary paperwork. They can also represent you if there are any problems with your sibling’s green card application.

Even if you follow all of these tips, it is still important to be patient. The processing time for sibling green cards can be very long, especially for siblings from countries with high wait times.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Your sibling must be outside of the United States when they apply for a green card. If your sibling is already in the United States, they will need to leave the country and apply for a green card through consular processing.
• Your sibling will need to undergo a medical exam and a background check before they can be approved for a green card.
• Your sibling will need to pay a filing fee and other fees when they apply for a green card.

If you are considering sponsoring your sibling for a green card, it is important to consult an experienced immigration attorney. It is a long and complicated process, but it can be a rewarding experience to help your sibling immigrate to the United States.

Call An Experienced Green Card Lawyer

If you need help sponsoring a sibling or other family member for a green card, call an experienced green card lawyer. United States immigration laws are complex and are updated frequently. If you have a question about immigration, contact Mario Godoy and the immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office in Chicago, Illinois at 630-345-4164.

AREAS WE SERVE: Godoy Law Office has 3 offices in the  Chicago, Illinois area and helps clients in all 50 states.