Apply for the USA F4 Visa
- Complete and submit Form DS-260. To access this form, you can visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website . ...
- Perform medical examinations and vaccinations. The package sent by NVC explains what tests and checkups you should do. ...
- Submit the supporting documents to the NVC. ...
- Attend an interview. ...
- The US Citizen petitions for their adult child, spouse, and minor children to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- When the petition is approved, the adult child and their family must apply to a US Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
What is an American F4 visa?
The American F4 Visa is a Family Preference Category of US Family-Based Green Cards. It is intended for siblings of US residents. However, if their application is approved, their dependents may accompany them to the United States. The F4 Visa permits them to stay in the United States indefinitely, work without limits, and study at US universities.
How to apply for an F4 visa for a sibling?
The application for an F4 visa must begin with a US citizen requesting for his siblings to join him in the United States. The petition must be authorized before the siblings and their families may begin the F4 visa application process. When the date arrives, the NVC will notify you that you can begin the F4 visa application procedure.
Can I get an F4 visa if I have children?
However, the only requirement for the F4 visa is that you have a sibling in the U.S who is a U.S citizen. You can be married and have children and they would qualify for the F4 visa too, but it is not a requirement. As for the U.S citizen who wants to bring their siblings in the U.S permanently,...
Can I sponsor my Brother for a F4 visa?
Also known as the F4 visa, this family-based green card category varies from immediate relative green cards in terms of processing time, forms, necessary documents, and even who is allowed to sponsor them. To sponsor a sibling for an F4 visa, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
How much does an F4 visa cost?
Immigrant Visas (IV)Dollar Amount$ 345Immigrant visa application processing fee (per person), based on employment I-140 petition.$ 205Immigrant visa application processing fee (per person), based on special immigrant visa (Returning Resident) or self-petitioned cases (I-360 petition).6 more rows
How long does it take to get F4 visa USA?
between 18 and 25 yearsHow long is the F4 visa processing time? The F4 Visa processing time is generally long. Depending upon your country, it could take anywhere between 18 and 25 years to get your visa processed.
What is the current date for F4?
How did the Final Action Date move in the past few months?F4LatestVisa Bulletin Date:Sep 2022Chargeability:allCountriesFinal Action Date:Mar 22, 2007Movement:None
How can I apply for F4 green card?
Applicants who would like to apply for the F4 immigrant visa must meet the following requirements: Have a sibling in the United States who holds citizenship status and has a valid address in the country. Be able to prove their kinship through birth certificates or adoption documents.
Who is eligible for F4 visa?
You must be a U.S citizen. You must be at least 21 years old. You must have siblings in a foreign country and prove it through birth certificates or adoption documents. You must be living in the U.S and have a valid U.S address.
What documents are needed for F4 visa?
Documents Required for an F4 VisaA valid passport.A signed form I-864 from your sibling.Form DS-260 confirmation page.Two photographs.Birth certificate or adoption documents.Completed medical examination forms.
Is NVC scheduling interviews 2022?
After reviewing your application, the NVC will schedule your immigrant visa interview. As of April 25, 2022, the NVC is reviewing documents submitted on or before February 4, 2022. Applicants must still complete all necessary formalities for their applications before the NVC reviews their case.
Can F4 visa be expedited?
NVC expedite requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the State Department says that expedite requests are for medical emergencies , hardships , financial grounds, child Age out etc . If an expedite request is denied, the application will continue to process at the regular speed.
How long does it take for NVC to schedule interview 2022?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Can I stay in the US while waiting for F4 visa?
A pending or approved petition from a sponsor gives you no rights to come to or remain in the United States. The real question is whether you are farther along in the process and have a right to remain in the U.S. while waiting to adjust status.
Can F4 visa be denied?
What to Do If Your Sibling is Denied an F4 Visa. If your sibling falls under any of the following grounds of inadmissibility—among other reasons—they will be denied a sibling green card: Criminal grounds. Security and espionage grounds.
Who can sponsor me in USA?
Who You Can Help ImmigrateWho Can Sponsor WhoWho You AreImmigrants You Can PetitionU.S. citizen (at least age 18, for financial sponsorship purposes)Minor, unmarried childrenU.S. citizenMarried children or adult childrenU.S. citizen age 21 or olderBrothers and sisters4 more rows
Can we expedite F4 visa?
If a visa is not available, unfortunately there is nothing that NVC can do to expedite the petition. Immigrant visa processing is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, which controls availability of visas.
Can I expedite my F4 visa?
Generally speaking, applicants need their NVC case number for an expedite request. Once this case number is obtained, they are able to send the expedite request at anytime during the NVC phase processing.
How do I check my U.S. F4 status?
Call USCIS customer service In case you want to check status of F4 visa application but don't have time to track online, you can call the USCIS multi-national customer service center directly for assistance. Please note that the center only supports F4 visa-related services.
Is F4 green card?
The sibling green card is known as the F4 visa for a reason. There are four family-based green card categories. The sibling category is the last one, which makes processing time the longest. In addition, the sibling green card processing time varies depending on the service center your I-130 was submitted.
How to Apply for an F4 Visa?
citizen who files a petition for their sibling to join them in the U.S. Once this petition is approved, the siblings and their family can apply for an F4 visa. It is important to note that the application will remain ineligible without an approved petition.
What Is an F4 Visa?
In simple terms, an F4 visa is granted to foreign immigrants who are the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen. It is worth mentioning here that lawful permanent residents are not allowed to sponsor a family member for an F4 visa.
Who Is Eligible for an F4 Visa?
To get an F4 visa, it is essential that both the siblings—one in the U.S. and the other living in a foreign country —meet certain conditions:
How Much Does an F4 Visa Cost?
To obtain an F4 visa, the petitioner is required to pay a range of fees from time to time. The amounts vary and are decided by the USCIC and the embassy.
How long does it take to get an F4 visa?
Since the number of F4 visas that are issued every year is limited, the processing time is generally long. It could take anywhere between 1 and 10 years to get your visa processed.
Can a permanent resident sponsor a family member on an F4 visa?
It is worth mentioning here that lawful permanent residents are not allowed to sponsor a family member for an F4 visa. In order to start the process, the specified U.S. relative must file a petition on behalf of an alien relative by filing Form I-130 with the Department of Homeland Security.
What is the USA F4 Visa?
This visa allows Lawful Permanent Residents to bring their siblings to the US. Besides the siblings, their spouses, and unmarried children who are under 21 years old can also apply for this visa.
How much does it cost to apply for a USA F4 visa?
The F4 visa applicants and their sponsors will have to pay different fees for different services. Since the amount of these costs varies, it is not possible to estimate the total amount of the payment. But note that a fee must be paid for each of the following services:
What happens if my USCIS appeal is rejected?
USCIS will notify the petitioner of the outcome of the petition. If your appeal is rejected, the reasons will be explained. Otherwise, applicants and their families can initiate the application process in their home country. If your petition is approved, the USCIS sends your file to the National Visa Center (NVC) to further process. The NVC first provides a package along with a case number and invoice ID number to you in your home country. The package contains some instructions explaining the details of the application process.
How long does it take to get a F4 visa?
Most applicants have to wait from one year to even ten years to be able to join their family members in the US.
How to file an alien relative petition?
The US citizen must first submit his or her petition to the USCIS by filing a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. In this petition, the sibling is considered the principal applicant. If they are married, their family members must also be listed on the petition.
What is a family preference visa?
Family Preference visas (F Visas) allow Lawful Permanent Residents to bring their family members to the United States. Family members include spouse, children, parents, and siblings. The types of these visas are F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4.
Do you have to wait to get a visa from NVC?
As the annual issuance of these visas is limited, once the petition is approved, the application process does not start immediately. In other words, the applicants have to wait until their priority dates become current. Therefore, you will receive the package from NVC, if it is your turn in chronological order.
What is an F4 Visa?
An F4 visa is designed for siblings (and their spouse and children) of US citizens to be able to join their sibling in the US and start a new life.
F4 Visa eligibility requirements
A number of documents need to be submitted alongside an F4 Visa application. Scroll down to find out more about these.
F4 Visa sponsor requirements
The F4 Visa has requirements for not just the applicant, but also the sponsoring U.S. citizen, who must meet the following conditions.
F4 Visa - filing the petition
Applying for an F4 Visa begins with the US Citizen Sponsor completing the petition form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
Medical examination and vaccinations
A key part of any U.S. Visa application for permanent residency is the medical examination and vaccinations.
F4 Visa immigration interview
Once your application for an F4 Visa is accepted, you will be invited to attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate in your home country. If your spouse or minor children are also applying, they will also need to attend the interview.
F4 Visa required documents
You will need to gather together several documents to create your portfolio of evidence for your F4 Visa application. The evidence must show that you and your family fulfil the required criteria for being granted an F4 Visa.
How complicated is an F4 visa?
F4 visa applications are complicated even for the simplest of cases, and processing times keep getting longer. Also, if your petition is not filed properly any single mistake can be costly and lead to delay or denial. An experienced family-based green card attorney is the best guide for the process.
How many F4 visas are issued in a year?
Only 65,000 F4 visas are distributed every year, which also leads to long delays in approval. For the most accurate information on visa approvals visit the visa bulletin.
What is the purpose of an F4 interview?
The purpose of the interview is to determine if your sibling is eligible for the F4 visa and whether all the documentation provided is accurate. The interviewer will also ask your sibling questions regarding his or her background.
What to do if your sister is approved for an F4 visa?
What to Do If Your Sibling is Approved for an F4 Visa. Once your sibling is approved for an F4 visa, the first thing to do is celebrate. Then your sibling will receive the visa stamped to his or her passport along with a sealed packet with a letter stapled to it.
Who can fill out the I-130?
Only the U.S. citizen who is sponsoring the sibling can fill and submit the form. The sibling is considered the beneficiary. When USCIS accepts and receipts the I-130, it will assign a priority date to the petition.
Can you sponsor a full blooded sibling for an F4 visa?
It is important to note that if your full-blooded sibling was later adopted by another family you can not sponsor that sibling for an F4 visa.
Can you get an F4 visa for a half brother?
Full-blooded siblings, paternal half-siblings, step siblings, and adopted siblings are eligible for an F4 visa.
How to apply for employment authorization for a pending I-485?
Generally, when you have a pending Form I-485, you may apply for employment authorization by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
What is the F1 preference?
First preference (F1) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens; Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents; Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;
What is the ground of inadmissibility for family preference immigrants?
As a family preference immigrant, the following ground of inadmissibility does not apply to you: Labor certification and qualifications for certain immigrants (INA 212 (a) (5)) If you are inadmissible, the law may allow you to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.
How many KB is the I-485?
For more information on applying for a Green Card, see the Form I-485 instructions (PDF) (PDF, 551.22 KB) and our forms filing tips webpage.
What is a copy of my passport?
A copy of your passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration officer) (if applicable); A copy of your Form I-94 , Arrival/Departure Record, or copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admission or parole stamp on your Travel Document (if applicable).
What is the F3 family preference?
Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and. Fourth preference (F4) - brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older). This page provides specific information for aliens in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status based on a family preference ...
Can a family member get a green card?
U.S. immigration law allows certain aliens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships. If you are the spouse, minor child or parent of a U.S. citizen, please see the Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen page for information on how to apply for a Green Card.
What is family preference visa?
Family Preference – these visas are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year.
What is immediate relative visa?
Immediate Relative – these visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child or parent. The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year.
What is family based immigration?
Family Based Immigration. A foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the United States requires an immigrant visa (IV). To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).
Can a permanent resident file an immigrant visa?
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can only file an immigrant visa petition for their:
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
What determines the type of student visa you need?
Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.
What is ESTA in travel?
Fill out the (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
What is transit C visa?
Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.
What happens if you violate your work visa?
If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked. You could be deported, arrested, or denied re-entry into the U.S.
Do you need an authorization to travel under VWP?
If you plan to visit the U.S. under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip. Authorization approvals are determined using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) .
Can an international student apply for a student visa?
An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.
