Introduction
There are many families going through the grueling U.S. immigration process. Unfortunately, many of these families have a U.S. citizen in them trying to get their undocumented family members to the U.S. While the process of trying to bring family members to the U.S. can be long and arduous and meet many roadblocks along the way, the opportunity exists for a U.S. citizen to file a petition for an undocumented sibling and bring them closer to their loved ones with the proper assistance and by following the steps and detours in the process outlined in this article.
Understand Eligibility Requirements for Petitioning a Sibling
Has a brother or sister of yours or a loved one of yours recently tried to petition for family members of U.S. citizens and you or they need assistance with the VERY LONG LIST of required steps to get their petition approved? Amazingly, the ONLY family relations that can be sponsored for immigration by a U.S. citizen are the relations of brothers and sisters of that citizen - even if the brother or sister is an undocumented immigrant (hermano/suegra hearmano). How does one prove the important family tie in order to get approval of the immigration application for that brother or sister? What documents are required with the application for immigration of brother/sister such as a copy of the brother/sister’s birth certificate?
To give you a better idea, the overall approval rate for Form I-130 petitions in 2025 was 88.6%. Approval rates for family preference available petitions (such as for the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens) are approximately 59% however. To speed up processing and to increase your chances of approval of a family member’s application, it is crucial to provide sufficient and proper evidence to establish the familial relationship between you and your relative.
In some instances, it can take 10 to 15 years or more for a brother/sister of a U.S. citizen to be processed, depending on the country of origin of the brother/sister. Although it may be several years before the family member can apply for a green card, it is essential to complete all of the necessary paperwork in a timely and accurate manner in order to receive approval as quickly as possible. It is also recommended that individuals seeking to sponsor family members for petition for family members of U.S. citizens seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney.
Learn the Petition Process for Undocumented Siblings
Many families encounter road blocks while trying to immigrate to the U.S. to be with their loved ones. Relatives of US citizens can start the process by having the US citizen relative complete and submit the relative’s application for immigrant relative, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to USCIS. This form along with required proofs of relationship and necessary fees needs to be submitted to USCIS to process the alien relative’s visa application for consular processing or for adjustment of status in the US, if the alien relative is present in the US.
Processing time: Typically 6-12 months after filing by USCIS. However, due to extreme demand for visas to enter the US from countries like Mexico and the Philippines, processing of siblings of US citizens can take 20 years or more to process.
Be sure to have a complete and accurate application. This includes all required documentation such as proof of citizenship and proof of family relationship. In addition, be sure to have the most current version of the visa bulletin and processing times for the appropriate category.
Relocating to Raleigh, NC or Orlando, FL? Understanding how relocation works in these locations can be important to processing your application. Locate the nearest USCIS office as well as quality immigration lawyers that specialize in immigration matters related to residence in these locations. The key to bringing your loved ones to join you in the U.S. is to ensure that your I-130 application is complete and accurately filed.
Identify Common Challenges in the Petition Process
It’s not right that families are forced to wait 20+ years to be together. Many siblings are waiting to be brought out of the immigration petition process as a relative of a U.S. citizen. The F4 category (sibling of a U.S. citizen) has a wait time of over 20 years and is currently processing at the following dates:
- Mexico - April 30, 2001
- Philippines - March 22, 2008
These delays can be brought on by errors caused by a lack of sufficient proof to establish the qualifying relationship as well as required documentation that is missing. Such errors can lead to considerable delay and much stress and anguish as these can add even months to processing. The errors that cause such problems, however, can be easily avoided if all required documentation and evidence is included with the application from the very start.
The rules of ‘who can sponsor whom’ are very complex and it is very easy to get confused especially in regards to whether or not a citizen sibling can sponsor an undocumented sibling and whether or not that undocumented sibling is of legal age and a citizen or not. Right now, only U.S. citizens 21 or older can sponsor siblings for green cards. In regards to permanent residents sponsoring siblings for green cards, permanent residents can sponsor but the permanent resident has to become a U.S. citizen prior to approval of the sibling’s green card application. Note: These laws are constantly changing. It is wise to research the most current laws.
Find out the challenges to join your family and start to work to overcome them.
Seek Legal Assistance from Vasquez Law Firm for Guidance
There are many different ways for undocumented siblings of Green Card holders to attempt to come to the U.S. to join their sibling(s) here. The immigration attorneys at the Vasquez Law Firm can help you determine what the best options are for you and assist you in applying for the visas that will allow you to come to the U.S. to join your sibling(s) here.
We have many years of experience handling all types of immigration cases including:
- Citizenship
- Permanent residency
- Family-based visas
We will thoroughly complete and file all of the necessary paperwork, and keep track of all of the deadlines and other documentation for you. Our commitment to our clients is to protect their rights and do our best to help them with their efforts for family reunification in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
We can assist you with affordable payment plans, and we offer free initial consultations to help make our services as accessible as possible to all of our clients.
Conclusion
It can be a very difficult and complex process to try and bring a loved one home. To better equip families who are trying to bring their sibling home and provide some insight into the process and possible challenges families face along the way, the following are the main steps that families need to take to try and bring their sibling home.
- Completing and accurately submitting the necessary forms, especially for I-130s for immediate relatives, can take an enormous amount of time.
- Many families find it helpful to seek assistance for these applications to ensure proper and accurate completion and to avoid potential problems along the way.
- Waiting for a family member’s application to be approved can be long and arduous, but having the correct documentation and assistance throughout the process can make a huge difference.
Family reunification is so much more than filling out papers. It requires love for your family members and we can help make your family reunification a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be sponsored for immigration by a U.S. citizen?
Only the siblings (brothers and sisters) of a U.S. citizen can be sponsored for immigration, even if the sibling is an undocumented immigrant.
What is the approval rate for Form I-130 petitions?
The overall approval rate for Form I-130 petitions in 2025 was 88.6%. However, the approval rate for family preference petitions, such as those for siblings of U.S. citizens, is approximately 59%.
What documents are required to prove the familial relationship for a sibling's immigration petition?
Required documents typically include a copy of the sibling's birth certificate to establish the family tie.
How long can the processing time take for a sibling's immigration petition?
It can take 10 to 15 years or more for a sibling of a U.S. citizen to be processed, depending on the country of origin.
Why is it important to provide sufficient evidence in the immigration application?
Providing sufficient and proper evidence is crucial to establish the familial relationship and increase the chances of approval for the family member’s application.
Should individuals seek legal assistance when petitioning for a sibling's immigration?
Yes, it is recommended to seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney to ensure all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and timely.
List of Sources
- Understand Eligibility Requirements for Petitioning a Sibling
- Family-Based Immigration Petitions: 2026 Process & Timeline | Vasquez Law Firm | Vasquez Law Firm (https://vasquezlawnc.com/blog/family-immigration-petitions-2026-20260922-1616)
- U.S. Citizen Filing for Siblings: October 2026 Processing Times (https://manifestlaw.com/blog/us-citizen-filing-for-brother-or-sister-processing-time)
- How Does a Petition for Siblings in the U.S.A. Work? (https://jeelani-law.com/articles/petition-for-siblings-in-the-usa)
- Bringing Siblings to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-siblings-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents)
- Sibling of a US Citizen (https://lslawyers.com/sibling-immigration.html)
- Learn the Petition Process for Undocumented Siblings
- 2026 Guide to Family-Based Immigration Petitions | Vasquez Law Firm | Vasquez Law Firm (https://vasquezlawnc.com/blog/family-immigration-petitions-2026-20260623-1509)
- Form I-130 Processing Times October 2026: Family Timelines (https://immigrationdirect.com/blog/form-i-130-family-immigrant-petition-processing-time)
- I-130 Petition: How To Bring Your Sibling Into the U.S. | Reeves (https://reevesimmigration.com/i-130-petition-how-to-bring-your-sibling-into-the-u-s)
- I-130 Processing Time 2026: What Happens After Approval? (https://alonsoandalonsolaw.com/en/i-130-processing-time)
- Bringing Siblings to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-siblings-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents)
- Identify Common Challenges in the Petition Process
- U.S. Citizen Filing for Siblings: October 2026 Processing Times (https://manifestlaw.com/blog/us-citizen-filing-for-brother-or-sister-processing-time)
- How long is the wait for an F4 sibling petition in 2026? (https://mendozaimmigration.com/en/qa/f4-sibling-petition-wait-2026)
- Sponsoring a Sibling for U.S. Immigration: A Guide for California Families (2026) (https://mj-law.com/blog/sponsoring-a-sibling-for-u-s-immigration-a-guide-for-california-families-2026)
- I-130 Processing Time 2026: What Happens After Approval? (https://alonsoandalonsolaw.com/en/i-130-processing-time)
- Family Based Immigration And Approximate Wait Times - LINU (https://linforukraine.org/family-based-immigration-and-approximate-wait-times)
