Can I Get US Citizenship Through My Sister?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I get US through my sister? Which relatives may I petition for?

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years or older may also petition for the following relatives: Parents; • Brothers or sisters

. When you submit your petition, you are required to provide evidence to prove your relationship to the person for whom you are filing.

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Can you get US citizenship through a sibling?


If you are a U.S. citizen, and at least 21 years old, you can petition for your siblings (brothers or sisters) to live in the United States as green card holders (lawful permanent residents)

. Siblings include children from at least one common parent.

How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to petition a sister?

If you've submitted everything correctly and accurately, the application will be approved. This usually takes somewhere

between 2 to 5 years

. But the waiting time may further extend in some cases. You may be asked to wait until the priority date and the visa bulletin dates become current.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor their brother or sister for a green card?


Adult U.S. citizens can get green cards for brothers and sisters by sponsoring them with the USCIS

. If your brothers and sisters are married, their spouses and children can immigrate to the U.S. together with them. Their children have to be unmarried and under the age of 21.

Can I sponsor my sister to USA?

To petition to bring your sibling (brother or sister) to live in the United States as a Green Card holder,

you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age

. Permanent residents may not petition to bring siblings to live permanently in the United States.

How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a sibling?

The waiting time for siblings to get Green Cards is

approximately 10 years

. Based on the sibling's country of origin, the time can be much shorter or longer. There is an annual cap of 65,000 Green Cards for siblings issued. Siblings have the longest waiting time out of all direct relatives of a U.S. Citizen.

Can my sister get me a green card?


Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens can apply for green cards based on their familial relationship

. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), these categories of individuals count as “siblings.”

How long does a petition for a brother or sister take?

Category Eligibility Estimated Wait Time F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) 5-6 years F3 Family Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens 12-13 years

2
F4 Family Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens

13-14 years


2

What documents do I need to petition my sister?

  • Your current U. S. passport.
  • Certificate of birth in the United States.
  • Certificate of naturalization.
  • Consular report showing your birth abroad.
  • Certificate of citizenship.

How much does it cost to petition a sibling?


$535

. You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier's check. When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

How can I invite my sister to USA?

  1. Send an invitation letter to your relative. …
  2. If your relative will be paying his or her own expenses in the United States, documents showing sufficient funds are currently available must be prepared to be presented to the interview officer.

What relatives can a U.S. citizen sponsor?

US citizens can sponsor their

parents, spouse, sons and daughters (minors and adults, unmarried or married), and siblings

. Lawful Permanent Residents can sponsor their spouse, minor children and unmarried adult sons and daughters.

Can I bring my cousin to USA?

In reality, significant wait times can make it difficult for U.S. citizens to sponsor even close relatives and

U.S. citizens cannot sponsor non-immediate relatives

(such as nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents) to immigrate to the United States.

How long does it take for sibling to get green card?

The process usually takes

14-16 years

for siblings of U.S. citizens. However, it depends on your home country.

Can I sponsor my sister for a b2 visa?

The short answer is

no, you cannot file a “petition” for a family member for a visitor visa

. A visitor visa (B-1 / B-2) is filed by the person seeking to come to the United States. It is filed electronically with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their respective country.

What happens after I 130 is approved for siblings?

Answer: After USCIS approved the sibling (brother or sister) immigrant visa petition of Form I-130,

the U.S. citizen's brother or sister will receive a “priority date,” based on the day USCIS first received the Form I-130 petition. Then, the long waiting for immigrant visa will begin

.

Can a citizen sponsor a sibling?

Which relatives may I petition for?

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years or older may also petition for the following relatives: Parents; • Brothers or sisters

. When you submit your petition, you are required to provide evidence to prove your relationship to the person for whom you are filing.

Can a sibling sponsor another sibling in USA?

A:

Yes, there is an age requirement to sponsor a U.S. citizen's brothers and sisters immigration to United Stats

. If you are a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old, you are eligible to petition for an immigrant visa for your brother or sister to live and work permanently in the United States.

Can a U.S. citizen petition a niece?

While you file an immigrant petition for your sibling,

your nephew or niece can be listed on that petition as a dependent

and they can become a lawful resident while your sibling becomes a lawful resident. They may immigrate only if they are below age 21 and unmarried.

Can a sister bring her brother to USA?

As a U.S. citizen, over age 21 and residing in the U.S.

you may file an I-130 petition to bring your brothers and sisters to the United States for permanent residence

. Once your petition for your sibling is approved, they can bring a spouse and any unmarried children under age 21.

Can I sponsor my nephew to USA?


U.S. immigration law offers no direct way to obtain U.S. green cards for one's grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and more extended relations

—unless you can create a chain of relationships so that a more immediate family member can petition for them.

How much does it cost to bring my sister to the US?

Currently, the fee for a U.S. citizen or long term permanent resident to submit Form I-130 on behalf of their sibling is

$535

. Once the petition is approved, the application fee for a family preference visa is $325. This fee is paid per application.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a friend?

While you can't petition for a friend's immigrant visa or Green Card (only family members can do that),

you can financially sponsor a friend's immigration petition with Form I-864, Affidavit of Support

.

How much bank balance is required for U.S. tourist visa?

The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration.

If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000

in your bank. Is travel insurance compulsory for the US travel visa? No, travel insurance is not compulsory for the US travel visa.

Can U.S. citizen invite a friend?

If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and you have a friend or relative who seeks to come to the U.S. as a tourist (on a B-2 visitor visa),

you might be able to help the person by providing a letter of invitation.

How long does it take to sponsor a family member to USA?

On average, the I-130 filed by your sponsor takes

between 6 to 12 months

to be processed. The USCIS processes the petition on a first-come, first-served basis. Your sponsor can expedite the process by submitting the form as early as possible.

Can my aunt petition me in us?

Adult U.S. citizens may also sponsor their parents and their siblings.

Citizens and legal residents may not petition to enter into the country so-called “distant” relatives

, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Can a family member sponsor you for a green card?


A green card holder can sponsor (file an I-130 petition for) only a spouse and unmarried children; but for no one else

. In fact, you might have filed petitions for these family members long ago, and still be waiting for them to receive a green light to immigrate to the United States.

How can I bring a family member to USA?

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a cousin for green card?


Many extended family members — cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents — do not qualify

. They may apply for a green card only if they, too, have a closer relative who is a U.S. citizen or current green card holder (or qualify for one of the other types of green cards below).

What documents do I need to submit with I-130 for siblings?

  • A copy of your birth certificate;
  • A copy of your brother's or sister's birth certificate that indicates that you share at least one common parent.

How long does it take to get i-130 approved for siblings?

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a family member?

Generally, U.S. citizens or permanent residents file an immigrant visa petition on behalf of a close relative.

US citizens can sponsor their parents, spouse, sons and daughters (minors and adults, unmarried or married), and siblings

.

What happens after I-130 is approved for siblings?

Answer: After USCIS approved the sibling (brother or sister) immigrant visa petition of Form I-130,

the U.S. citizen's brother or sister will receive a “priority date,” based on the day USCIS first received the Form I-130 petition. Then, the long waiting for immigrant visa will begin

.

How can I bring my sibling to USA?

The fastest way to bring your brother to the U. S. is to start the family petition process as soon as possible, as long as you are over 21 years of age, a U. S. citizen, and take the following 5 steps :

File Form I-130 with USCIS. Receive approval and go to the National Visa Center. Submit an affidavit

.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.