Sibling of U.S. Citizen

• U.S. Citizenship: The petitioner (U.S. citizen) must be at least 21 years old.
• Relationship: The petitioner and sibling must share at least one biological or adoptive parent.
• Age: The sibling must be unmarried at the time the petition is filed.

The process of obtaining a green card for a sibling involves several steps:

1. Petition Filing: The U.S. citizen files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. Waiting Period: Once the petition is approved, your sibling's name is placed on a waiting list based on their priority date. This waiting period can be lengthy, depending on the current visa backlog.
3. Consular Processing (if applicable): Once a visa number becomes available, your sibling will be scheduled for a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
4. Adjustment of Status (if applicable): If your sibling is already in the U.S. legally, they may be eligible to adjust their status to a green card without returning to their home country.

• Long Waiting Periods: The wait times for sibling-based green cards can be extremely long, often exceeding 10 years.
• Numerical Limits: There are annual limits on the number of family-based green cards available each year, which can further contribute to the wait times.
• Financial Support: The U.S. citizen sponsor must demonstrate the ability to financially support their sibling.
• Evidence Requirements: You will need to provide evidence of your relationship with your sibling, such as birth certificates, adoption records, and affidavits from family members.