Bringing your family closer is one of the most meaningful parts of building your life in the United States. But if you’re wondering whether a green card holder can sponsor a brother, the short answer may surprise you. While lawful permanent resident status gives you several immigration benefits, sponsoring a sibling is not one of them.
In fact, only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for their brothers or sisters to become lawful permanent residents under current immigration law (USCIS). This restriction often leads many permanent residents to pursue naturalization as their next step forward.
If you’re hoping to help your sibling come to the U.S., it’s essential to understand the process, timelines, and what options are actually available in 2025. Let’s walk you through what you can and can’t do right now.
Why Green Card Holders Can’t Sponsor Siblings Under the Current Law?
Under current U.S. immigration law, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) are limited in who they can sponsor for immigration benefits. While they can file petitions for their spouse, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried adult sons and daughters, they are not eligible to sponsor siblings, regardless of how long they’ve held their green card.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Permanent residents may not petition to bring siblings to live permanently in the United States.”
This restriction is due to the family preference category system, which limits eligibility based on the petitioner’s immigration status. Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older may file a sibling petition under the F4 preference category.
If you’re currently a green card holder, you must become a U.S. citizen first before you can file an I-130 petition for your brother or sister.
Path Forward: How Green Card Holders Can Eventually Help a Sibling Immigrate?
Become a U.S. Citizen First (Naturalization Process)
For a green card holder, becoming a citizen is the essential first step before filing for a sibling. Most applicants must hold lawful permanent resident status for at least five years or just three years if married to a U.S. citizen, before meeting the eligibility requirements for naturalization.
📊 In FY 2024, 818,500 individuals naturalized in the United States, up about 12% from pre-COVID averages, showing both recovery and stability in the naturalization process.
Once eligible, you can submit Form N‑400 along with supporting documentation such as certified translations, tax returns, and proof of physical presence. Naturalization confers key immigration benefits, including the ability to sponsor siblings under the F4 preference category
🕒 Time-saving tip: File as soon as you’re eligible to get an earlier priority date, which starts the long countdown in the sibling visa line.
Then, File a Petition as a Citizen (Form I-130, F4 Category)
After you take the Oath of Allegiance, you can immediately file Form I‑130 to sponsor your brother or sister. This petition falls under the F4 preference category, which is subject to annual visa limits, meaning a long wait before a sibling becomes eligible for an immigrant visa.
📊 According to recent estimates, the entire I‑130-to-green card timeline for siblings often spans 12 to over 22 years, with most cases averaging around 18 years, especially for applicants from countries like India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
You’ll need to present proof of the sibling relationship, such as both parties’ birth certificates indicating a shared parent, and comply with the required documents. Once USCIS approves the petition, your sibling must wait until their priority date becomes current before applying via consular processing if living abroad or filing for adjustment within the U.S.
Processing Timelines for Sibling Sponsorship in 2025
USCIS Approval Phase (~9–12 Months)
Once you’re a U.S. citizen and file Form I‑130 for your brother or sister under the F4 preference category, USCIS takes on average about 9 to 12 months to approve the petition on the citizenship-administered track. You’ll receive a receipt notice and can track progress using your priority date in the system.
📊 The median processing time for I‑130 petitions filed by U.S. citizens is currently around 14.8 months, but most sibling cases fall closer to the 9–12‑month range if properly documented.
Visa Bulletin & Priority Date Wait
Approval of the I‑130 doesn’t mean immediate entry. Because siblings fall into the F4 category, your sibling must wait for their priority date to become current on the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin. Once current, the sibling can complete either consular processing abroad or adjust status in the U.S.
Country-Specific Backlog Estimates
The wait time for an F4 visa varies widely by country. As of early 2025:
- Worldwide average: 14–20 years
- Mexico & Philippines: 20–25 years
- India: around 18 years
📊 This backlog reflects how high demand and country caps slow the timeline for siblings across many nationalities.
Why F4 Is the Longest Wait
Sibling green card petitions fall under the F4 family preference category, which has a yearly cap of 65,000 visas, plus any unused numbers from other categories. On top of that, each country can only receive up to 7% of the total. With more people applying than there are visas available, the wait list keeps growing. That’s why F4 has the longest delay of all family-based categories.
Key Insight: Getting in Line Early Matters
Every month you delay filing your I‑130 means a later place in the sibling queue. Even though USCIS adjudicates petition forms relatively quickly, the priority date wait becomes the dominant factor in the overall timeline. Early filing right after naturalization gives your sibling a head start in what can be a decades‑long process.
What If You Want to Act Sooner? Alternative Paths for Siblings
While waiting for sibling sponsorship through the F4 category, which can take decades, there are other routes your brother or sister may qualify for now. Each option has its own timeline, rules, and risks.
Employment-Based Visas (if eligible)
If your sibling holds a qualifying job offer, college degree, or special skill, they might obtain an employment-based visa or green card. This path involves employer sponsorship, Form I‑140 petitions, and labor certifications.
Pros
- Faster than sibling sponsorship
- Visa availability may be more favorable depending on the category
Cons
- Requires employer support and visa eligibility
- Processing is still complex if documents (marriage certificate, birth abroad records) are incomplete
📌 News: A rising debate in 2025 surrounds replacing the H‑1B lottery with wage-based selection, potentially making some employment paths less accessible.
Diversity Visa Lottery
Your sibling can apply to the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, which awards up to 50,000 green cards annually to people from countries with low immigrant visa growth.
Pros
- No family tie required
- Minimal filing fee and a simple online entry process
Cons
- Extremely low odds
- Winning requires timely supporting documents, DS‑260 filing, and medical exam
📌 News: Recent updates confirm that winners must secure their immigrant visa before September 30, 2025, or lose the opportunity.
Chain Migration via Parents
If you naturalize and sponsor your parents under the immediate relative category (no backlog), they may later file for your sibling, especially if your sibling is under 21.
Pros
- Faster path via senior family members
- Smaller backlog for some categories like F2A
Cons
- Multistep and lengthy
- Requires documentation like birth certificates, adoption decrees, or divorce decrees
- Must provide financial support
Temporary Family Visits (Tourist or Proposed Family Visa)
For short-term family gatherings, your sibling may qualify for a tourist visa, or someday, a proposed “Family Purposes” short-stay visa.
Pros
- Quick entry for weddings, funerals, or visits
Cons
- Must convince a USCIS officer of nonimmigrant intent
- Need proper documents: passport, two passport-style photographs, proof of return plans
- A pending petition could cause skepticism at the border
📌 News: A new $250 “visa integrity fee” for many nonimmigrant visa categories will take effect in 2025, potentially raising travel costs.
Visa Intent & Backlog Considerations
Regardless of the alternative path, it’s crucial to avoid being seen as aiming to stay permanently if your immigrant petition is not yet approved. This can affect case status and future visa approvals.
If your sibling is already in the U.S., they must maintain valid nonimmigrant status while pursuing other options. That may involve carefully switching visa types or filing within the U.S. before eligibility ends.
Legislative Proposals: Will Green Card Holders Be Allowed to Sponsor Siblings Soon?
As of mid‑2025, no law allows green card holders to sponsor siblings, and there has been no legislative change on that point. Sibling petitions remain reserved for U.S. citizens aged 21 or older under the F4 family preference visa category.
One proposed bill, the RAISE Act, would go a step further, not only preventing lawful permanent residents from sponsoring siblings, but completely eliminating the sibling (F4) category from the family preference system. The Dignity Act of 2025, in contrast, focuses on easing long wait times by increasing per‑country visa caps from 75% to 15% and introducing a 90-day “Family Purposes” visitor visa for temporary stays. Importantly, that visitor visa would not lead to permanent residency; it’s strictly nonimmigrant and cannot be converted into a green card.
To put the impact in context: recent estimates show that in fiscal year 2021, only 65,452 family-preference green cards were issued out of the 226,000 allocated annually, illustrating how scarce sibling visas can be when supply is limited and demand is high
Key Takeaways for Green Card Holders in 2025
As a green card holder, right now, you cannot sponsor a sibling. Only U.S. citizens aged 21 or older may file a Form I‑130 petition under the F4 visa category. Achieving United States citizenship via naturalization remains the only path to qualify.
Once you file, prepare for substantial delays. The average processing time just for the I‑130 petition for sibling cases ranges from 56 to 121 months, that’s 4.5 to 10 years before even entering the queue for a visa number, so the full wait often reaches 15 years or more.
In the meantime, your sibling might explore other options like employment-based visas, the Diversity Lottery, or even short-term visits, but each has caveats, especially if there’s already a pending immigrant petition. Those routes each require supporting documents, proper status, and awareness of immigration intent.
Continuously review USCIS updates, the monthly Visa Bulletin, and consult an immigration lawyer to stay informed and prepared through each long step of the process.
Don’t Let Confusion Delay Your Family Immigration Plans
Not being able to sponsor a sibling as a green card holder can feel frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. From naturalization to strategic planning, there’s a path forward that protects your goals and brings you closer to reuniting with family.
At The Chidolue Law Firm, we don’t just explain the process, we create a plan. We help green card holders assess eligibility for citizenship, prepare for naturalization, and understand the long-term timeline for sibling sponsorship. And if there’s a faster or alternative route available, we’ll find it.
Don’t let long waits or outdated advice stall your progress. Our team stays current with every change in immigration law so you don’t miss opportunities that matter.
📞 Call The Chidolue Law Firm today at:
➡ 407-995-6567
➡ 678-325-1037
💬 For WhatsApp inquiries, contact us at:
➡ 404-333-8751
Let’s help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and an experienced legal team by your side.
