Learn all about how to Apply for Sibling Green Card

How to Apply for Sibling Green Card, Brother Green Card and Sister Green Card(Updated 2021)

A sibling green card is a US citizen apply for a brother green card or a sister green card to become a US permanent resident. Green card holders can not apply for sibling green cards. US citizens can apply for siblings to immigrate to the US, and apply for a green card. Citizen apply for siblings, spouse of sibling, and unmarried child under the age of 21 can apply at the same time.

Can I get a green card if my sister is a US citizen?

Yes, 21 years of age US citizen can petition green card for their siblings, mean brothers and sisters.

Tips: Citizen siblings include:
1. Brothers and sisters of the same father and mother;
2. Half brothers and sisters;
3. For brothers and sisters born out of wedlock, the applicant’s parents are legal guardians;
4. Brothers and sisters adopted by the parents, the siblings adopted by the parents are before the age of 16, and the parents are the guardians of the adopted siblings, and have lived with the parents for 2 years or more.

1. citizen apply for sibling green card, sibling in the United States

2. Citizen apply for brother or sister, brother or sister outside the United States

Citizen apply for sibling, sibling in the United States.

US citizen apply for sibling green card, need to wait visa number available ,If the visa number available, you can apply for immigration I-130 separately, I-485 separately, or combined I-130 and I-485 at the same time. Citizen apply for siblings, siblings in the United States , Need to maintain legal status. Can I petition my married sister? Yes. You may petition for your married sister, and her family by filing the Form I-130 to USCIS. Her husband, and unmarried child under 21 years of age, may immigrate with her as her derivatives.

Separate I-130 form apply for relative immigration

1. Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative);
2. $535.00 application fee, personal check or Money Order;
3. A copy of the citizen’s birth certificate, or certificate of citizenship. A copy of the birth certificate of the citizen, may same father or mother;
4. A copy of the parents’ marriage certificate. If you are a remarried parent, you need to have a copy of the parents’ marriage and divorce certificate;
5. Form G-1145.
Tip: If you are applying for multiple siblings, submit multiple I-130. Citizen applying for siblings need to wait visa number available. When the visa number is current, you can submit the green card application I-485 form. How long does it take for an American to sponsor a sibling? According to the updated visa bulletin issued by the Department of State, it is typically at least 13 years for people from most countries. Also, because per country limits apply as well, applicants born in certain countries, namely Mexico, India, and the Philippines, typically wait even longer, sometimes up to 25 years.

If you are only filing Form I-130 and you live in:
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Oklahoma
Oregon
Puerto Rico
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virgin Islands
Washington
Wyoming

Mail your application to: USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
P.O. Box 21700
Phoenix, AZ 85036
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
1820 E. Sky harbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

You are only filing Form I-130, and you live in or outside the United States:
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Mail your application to: USCIS Dallas Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
P.O. Box 650264
Dallas, TX 75265
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

For address please check USCIS

Separately I-485 Form,apply for green card

1. I-485 Form,status adjustment application form;
2. I-130 approval or a copy of receipt;
3. The application fee is $1225.00, check or Money Order (the fee will be different for different ages, please check the USCIS for details);
4. Copies of birth certificates of sibling;
5. Two photos of sibling, passport format 2 Inch*2 Inch;
6. Copies of passports of sibling;
7. The sibling legal identity documents, such as I-94, visa page, I-20, I-797, etc.;
8. I-693 Form immigration medical report of brothers and sisters;
9. I-864 financial guarantee certificate, such as the citizen’s income certificate, the citizen’s last two pay stubs, Paystub, and the citizen’s tax filing record in the most recent year.

TIPS: Immigration medical examination report must be issued by a doctor or hospital designated by the Immigration Bureau, and sealed and submitted to the Immigration Bureau. You can go to the USCIS website to view the list of designated medical examinations. If you have already done the vaccine MMR and TD, tell the medical examiner during the physical examination.

If the spouse of the siblings, and unmarried child, under the age of 21,and the main applicant apply for an I-485 green card at the same time, each additional applicant needs to submit the following documents:

1. The attached person’s I-485 Form status adjustment application form;
2.application fee is $1225.00, check or Money Order (the fee will be different for different ages, check the USCIS for details)
3. A copy of the birth certificate of the attached person;
4. Two photos of the attached person, passport format 2 Inch*2 Inch;
5. The kinship certificate of the attached person and the main applicant, such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.;
6. A copy of the accompanying person’s passport;
7. Attach the person’s legal identification documents, such as I-94, visa page, I-20, I-797, etc.;
8. I-693 Form immigration medical report attached to the person;
9. A copy of the I-864 form.

Tips: sibling’ married child under the age of 21, and child over the age of 21 cannot apply for a green card at the same time as the main applicant.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Separately I-131 reentry permit checklist:

1. A copy of I-797 notified by the I-485 Immigration Bureau;
2. Form I-131 Reentry Permit;
3. 2 passport photos. Note: It is best to write A number on the back.
4. Visa page, entry stamp page and passport copy;

Separately I-765 work permit checklist:

1. Form I-765;
2. I-797 copy of the I-485 receipt from the Immigration Department;
3. Copy of entry stamp, passport, visa page;
4. Two passport photos. TIPS: It is best to write A number on the back.

Combined apply for I-485, and apply for reentry permit I-131 ,and work permit I-765 at the same time

1. I-485 Form, status adjustment application form;
2. I-130 approval or a copy of receipt;
3. application fee is $1225.00, check or Money Order (the fee will be different for different ages, please check the Immigration Bureau for details);
4. Copies of birth certificates of sibling;
5. 6 photos of sibling, passport format 2 Inch*2 Inch;
6. Copies of passports of sibling;
7. The sibling maintain legal identity documents, such as I-94, visa page, I-20, I-797, etc.;
8. I-693 Form immigration medical report of brothers and sisters;
9. I-864 financial guarantee certificate, such as the citizen’s income certificate, the citizen’s last two pay stubs, Pay stub, and the citizen’s tax filing record in the most recent year.
10. I-131 Reentry Permit Form;
11. I-765 work card application form.

TIP: Immigration medical examination report must be issued by a doctor or hospital designated by the Immigration Bureau, and sealed and submitted to the Immigration Bureau. You can go to the USCIS website to view the designated medical examination list. If you have already done the vaccine MMR and TD, tell the medical examiner during the physical examination.

If the spouse of the siblings, and unmarried children under the age of 21, and the main applicant apply for the I-485 green card at the same time, and apply for the reentry permit I-131, and the work permit I-765 at the same time, each additional applicant needs to submit the following documents:

1. The I-485 Form of the attached person’s status adjustment application form;
2. application fee is $1225.00, check or Money Order (the fee will be different for different ages, please check the USCIS for details);
3. A copy of the birth certificate of the attached person;
4. Attached 6 photos of the person, passport format 2 Inch*2 Inch;
5. The kinship certificate of the attached person and the main applicant, such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.;
6. A copy of the accompanying person’s passport;
7. Attach the person’s legal identification documents, such as I-94, visa page, I-20, I-797, etc.;
8. I-693 Form immigration medical report attached to the person;
9. A copy of I-864 form;
10. Form I-131 Reentry Permit attached to the person;
11. The I-765 work card application form attached to the person.

Tips: sibling’ married child under the age of 21, and child over the age of 21 cannot apply for a green card at the same time as the main applicant.

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

If you have any questions about siblings applying for green card, consult an immigration lawyer

Citizen apply for brothers or sisters, brothers or sisters outside the United States

US citizen apply for siblings and siblings who are overseas in the United States. The application requires 4 steps: apply for U.S. I-130, NVC National Visa Center,DS-260 overseas consulate immigrant visa, and pay the USCIS green card production fee. How long does it take for a sibling to get a green card? Due to annual limits on green cards given out in the relevant category, known as “F4” siblings wait a long time to finally obtain US permanent residence—the people applying for sibling green card could expect to wait over 13 years. For people born in Mexico, waiting time is more than 20 years.

Tip: Multiple siblings need to apply, and multiple I-130 need to be submitted.

I-130 Form, The first step to apply for relative immigration

1. Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative);
2. $535.00 application fee, personal check or Money Order;
3. A copy of the citizen’s birth , or certificate of citizenship . A copy of the birth certificate of the citizen the same father or mother;
4. A copy of the parents’ marriage certificate. If they are remarried parents, a copy of the parents’ marriage and divorce certificate is required;
5. Form G-1145.

Tips: If you are applying for multiple siblings, submit multiple I-130. The citizen applying for sibling needs to wait visa number available.

Address, please double check with USCIS

It takes about 2-4 weeks to receive the I-797 notification from the USCIS, including the case number; about 12-60 months later, the USCIS approves. After the first step is completed, the case will be transferred to the NVC National Visa Center.

The second step is the NVC National Visa Center.

You will receive a letter from the National Visa Center NVC, informing the applicant that the case has been received, and the National Visa Center’s financial guarantee fee Invoice ID Number, and the case number, are also required as follows:

1. Pay the application fee of $445.00. Transfer ACH online, including the economic guarantee fee of $120.00 and the visa fee of $325.00;
2. Submit the I-864 form of financial guarantee;
3. Submit the immigrant visa DS-260 form;
4. Submit civil documents, including passport information pages, U.S. passport-sized photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, criminal record certificates, and military service certificates (if applicable).

First log on to the State Council website CEAC, use the above Invoice ID Number and NVC National Visa Center case number, online ACH payment and financial guarantee fee of $120.00 and immigrant visa fee of $325.00. About 1-2 weeks, after receiving the payment, you can Submit I-864 financial guarantee, DS-260 form and related civil documents to the NVC National Visa Center.

TIPS: You can download the financial guarantee form I-864 in advance on the USCIS website, fill in and sign the form, scan each page and upload it to the State Council website CEAC.
If the applicant’s income is insufficient, a join guarantor can be added, or a join guarantor, housing assets, bank deposits, etc. can be used to guarantee.
Tips: Keep the original I-864 financial guarantee form. The US consulate needs the original I-864 for the immigrant visa.
If you apply for siblings, with the siblings’ spouses, and unmarried child under the age of 21, as additional applicants, you need to submit the following more information:
1. Pay a visa fee of $325.00 for the incidental person;
2. Submit the immigrant visa DS-260 form of the accompanying person;
3. Submit the accompanying civil documents, including passport information pages, U.S. passport-sized photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, non-criminal records certificates, and military service certificates (if applicable).

Tip: Brothers and sisters’ married child, under the age of 21, and child over the age of 21 cannot apply for a green card, at the same time as the main applicant.

If there is a problem with the financial guarantee, contact an immigration lawyer for a consultation

TIPS: US citizen need to wait for visa number available to apply for their sibling. The waiting time is approaching. The National Visa Center NVC began to request more application documents for review approximately 12 months in advance.

Step 3 U.S. Consulate Visa

Generally, about 1-2 months after the NVC National Visa Center approved the notice, the US consulate will receive the immigrant visa case. The local consulate will send an appointment interview letter to indicate the location and time of the interview. Generally, it will be 1-6 month after the interview letter is sent. Please prepare the following checklist when preparing for the interview:

1. Immigration medical report. Only the immigration medical report issued by the hospital or doctor approved by the consulate.
2. All previous application materials;
If you apply for immigrant visas for sibling green cards through citizens, the visa officer will make visas and take away your passports. Usually you can receive your passport within 2-4 weeks. Note: The immigrant visa medical report is valid within 180 days, not 180 days from the visa date. This is the time to prepare for landing in the United States, and the next step for the USCIS to pay.

Step 4 USCIS

Immigration packet will be sent 2-4 weeks after the interview, including a passport with visa. The visa is valid for 6 months. After arriving in the United States, the immigration packet needs to be handed over to the border customs officer. Don’t forget to go to the USCIS website to pay for Green card production fee, the green card is usually sent out within 90 days.

Real case sharing

US citizen apply for green cards for brothers and sisters

Jenny is a US citizen, applying for his younger brother outside the U.S.

February 2005, submitted a relative immigration application I-130

March 2005,received receipt I-797

October 2009,approved by USCIS

January 2010, the case was transferred to the National Visa Center , waiting to visa number available.

September 2018,received the NVC payment notice and P3 package from the National Visa Center

October 2018, submit documents to the National Visa Center for review

December 2018, approved by the National Visa Center

January 2019, Approved by the consulate interview.

March 2019,arrived in the U.S.

May 2019, received a green card