Who the F4 is for
#- Siblings of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older
- Applicants with documented sibling relationships
- Families planning for extended Visa Bulletin timelines
Official guidance to review
#Use the official USCIS humanitarian program pages for eligibility and filing steps.
Requirements checklist (high level)
#- Form I-130 filed by the U.S. citizen sibling
- Proof of sibling relationship
- DS-260 immigrant visa application
- Medical exam and consular interview
Documents and evidence
#- Birth certificates showing a shared parent
- I-130 approval notice
- Visa Bulletin priority date evidence
- DS-260 confirmation and police certificates
Step-by-step overview
#- File I-130 and track the priority date.
- Complete NVC processing when current.
- Attend interview and medical exam.
- Enter the U.S. and receive the green card.
Fees (verify before you pay)
#Immigrant visa fees, affidavit of support fees, and USCIS petition fees can apply. Immigrant visa and affidavit of support fees apply.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS filing fees
Processing times
#Processing depends on USCIS petitions, NVC timelines, and visa bulletin availability. F4 waits are often among the longest.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS processing times tool
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
Common mistakes that cause delays
#- Incomplete proof of sibling relationship
- Misreading Visa Bulletin charts
- Missing NVC deadlines
FAQs
Who qualifies for F4?
F4 is for siblings of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older. Spouses and minor children can be derivatives.
Why is F4 often slow?
F4 is subject to annual caps and tends to have some of the longest Visa Bulletin backlogs.
Do I need the same parents as my U.S. citizen sibling?
You must prove a qualifying sibling relationship, typically with birth certificates showing at least one shared parent.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-01-29
- Family immigration (Department of State)
- Family preference immigrant visas (Department of State)
- Immigrant visas overview (Department of State)
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (USCIS)
- Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
- Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
- USCIS processing times tool
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.
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