<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="family-visas" data-vt-code="F4"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/family-visas">Family</a><span>›</span><span>F4</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Immigrant</span><span>Family-sponsored</span><span>Fourth preference</span><span>Annual limit</span><span>Form I-130</span></div> <h1><span>F4</span> Brother or Sister of a U.S. Citizen</h1> <p class="vt-lede">Family fourth preference: a green card for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens aged 21 or older, with their spouses and minor children.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: Department of State · USCIS</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/f4">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">After arrival</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">After you arrive</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>Who qualifies</dt><dd>Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens</dd></div><div><dt>Petitioner</dt><dd>U.S. citizen sibling aged 21 or older (Form I-130)</dd></div><div><dt>Annual limit</dt><dd>65,000 plus unused F1–F3 numbers</dd></div><div><dt>Final action date (most countries)</dt><dd>October 22, 2011</dd></div><div><dt>Dates for filing (most countries)</dt><dd>November 1, 2011</dd></div><div><dt>Derivatives</dt><dd>Spouse and unmarried children under 21</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>The longest family line.</strong> As of the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">October 2026 Visa Bulletin</a>, F4 final action dates are October 22, 2011 (most countries), December 15, 2006 (India), April 22, 2001 (Mexico) and May 15, 2008 (Philippines). Pauses and proclamations (as of October 1, 2026). Proclamation 10998 still suspends immigrant visas for nationals of 39 countries, with limited exceptions (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department notice</a>). The separate January 21, 2026 pause for 75 nationalities ended August 21, 2026 under a court order (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State notice</a>).</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">F4 lets a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 petition for a brother or sister. The sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 come as derivatives.</p> <p class="b">The <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">October 2026 Visa Bulletin</a> sets the F4 allocation at 65,000 a year, plus any numbers not required by the first three preferences. Demand far exceeds supply, so waits are measured in years and differ sharply by country.</p> <p class="b">Only U.S. citizens can petition for a brother or sister; permanent residents cannot (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department</a>).</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">The petitioner must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be a U.S. citizen</li><li>Be at least 21 years old when filing (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-family-preference-immigrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>)</li><li>Sign Form I-864 for the sibling and derivatives (a joint sponsor may help)</li></ul> <h3 class="s">The beneficiary must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be the brother or sister of the petitioner</li><li>Be admissible to the United States, including on public-charge grounds</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">Status granted</th><td>Lawful permanent residence for the beneficiary and derivatives</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Green card validity</th><td>Typically 10 years (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/70-evidence-of-employment-authorization-for-certain-categories/71-lawful-permanent-residents-lpr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS M-274</a>)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Path to citizenship</th><td>Generally after 5 years as a permanent resident</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Final action date — all countries except India, Mexico, Philippines</th><td>October 22, 2011</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Final action date — India</th><td>December 15, 2006</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Dates for filing — all countries except India, Mexico, Philippines</th><td>November 1, 2011</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Dates for filing — India</th><td>February 1, 2007</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Final action date — Mexico</th><td>April 22, 2001</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Final action date — Philippines</th><td>May 15, 2008</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Dates for filing — Mexico / Philippines</th><td>April 30, 2001 / March 22, 2009</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">Fees as published on official schedules on October 1, 2026.</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative</td><td class="amt">$675 paper / $625 online</td><td>Petitioner</td><td>Current <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97270" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS fee schedule</a> amount; one petition per beneficiary.</td></tr> <tr><td>Immigrant visa application processing fee (DS-260)</td><td class="amt">$325 per person</td><td>Each applicant</td><td>Family-preference rate on the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department fee schedule</a>; non-refundable.</td></tr> <tr><td>Affidavit of Support review</td><td class="amt">$120</td><td>Petitioner / sponsor</td><td>Charged by State only when the I-864 is reviewed domestically (at the National Visa Center).</td></tr> <tr><td>USCIS Immigrant Fee</td><td class="amt">$235 per person</td><td>Each immigrant</td><td>Paid online to <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97241" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a> after the visa is issued; the green card is not produced until it is paid.</td></tr> <tr><td>Form I-485 (only if adjusting status inside the U.S.)</td><td class="amt">$1,440 paper / $1,390 online</td><td>Applicant</td><td><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97286" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$950 paper / $900 online</a> for a child under 14 filing with a parent. Replaces the DS-260, $120 review and Immigrant Fee path.</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">Medical examination and vaccination costs are set by the panel physician or civil surgeon and are not on the government fee schedules. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee in Public Law 119-21 applies to nonimmigrant visas, not to immigrant visas.</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>Final action date (most countries)</dt><dd>October 22, 2011</dd><dd class="n">As of the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">October 2026 Visa Bulletin</a>; China shares this date.</dd></div><div><dt>India / Mexico / Philippines</dt><dd>Dec 15, 2006 / Apr 22, 2001 / May 15, 2008</dd><dd class="n">Oversubscribed chargeability areas.</dd></div><div><dt>Dates for filing (most countries)</dt><dd>November 1, 2011</dd><dd class="n">Chart USCIS requires for family filings in October 2026.</dd></div></dl> <p class="b">Waits are governed by the Visa Bulletin. I-130 and I-485 times vary; check <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS processing times</a>.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">Petitioner files Form I-130</div><div class="tx">The U.S. citizen sibling (21 or older) files Form I-130 with USCIS. The filing date becomes the beneficiary’s priority date — the place in line.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">Wait for the priority date to become current</div><div class="tx">Each month the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visa Bulletin</a> publishes a final action date and a date for filing for each category and chargeability area. Numbers can be issued only when the priority date is earlier than the final action date.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">National Visa Center processing</div><div class="tx">After approval, USCIS sends the case to the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Visa Center</a>. The applicant pays fees, submits Form DS-260, the petitioner submits Form I-864, and civil documents are uploaded. Failure to apply within one year of notice of visa availability can lead to termination of the petition under INA 203(g).</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Medical exam and consular interview</div><div class="tx">Since November 1, 2025, NVC schedules interviews in the applicant’s <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-iv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">country of residence</a> (or nationality, on request). A medical exam by an embassy-approved panel physician is required.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Travel and become a permanent resident</div><div class="tx">On admission at a U.S. port of entry with the immigrant visa, the beneficiary becomes a lawful permanent resident. The $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee must be paid before the green card is produced.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">6</span><div><div class="tt">If already in the U.S.: adjustment of status</div><div class="tx">A beneficiary who is in the U.S. and eligible to adjust may file Form I-485 instead of consular processing. In October 2026 USCIS requires family-sponsored applicants to use the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dates for Filing chart</a>.</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>From the petitioner</h3><ul><li><span>Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization or citizenship certificate)</span></li><li><span>Proof of the sibling relationship: the petitioner’s and the beneficiary’s birth certificates showing at least one common parent, plus the parents’ marriage records where the siblings share only a father (see the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form I-130 instructions</a>)</span></li><li><span>Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, with financial evidence (income must generally meet <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/affidavit-of-support.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">125% of the HHS poverty guidelines</a>)</span></li></ul></div><div><h3>From each applicant</h3><ul><li><span>Passport biographic page</span></li><li><span>Birth certificate; marriage or divorce records where relevant</span></li><li><span>Police certificates and any court and prison records, as listed in State’s <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">civil documents</a> guidance</span></li><li><span>Form DS-260 confirmation and medical exam results</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">The sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 are derivatives with the same priority date (INA 203(d)). A child who turns 21 during the long wait may stay a derivative only if the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act-cspa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSPA age formula</a> keeps the child’s age under 21 and residence is sought within one year of visa availability.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">After you arrive</h2> <p class="b">Family-preference immigrants become lawful permanent residents when admitted on the immigrant visa (or when USCIS approves Form I-485). Most receive a green card with a 10-year expiration date; a spouse whose marriage is less than two years old when residence is granted receives two-year conditional residence (<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title8/html/USCODE-2024-title8-chap12-subchapII-partII-sec1186a.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INA 216</a>).</p> <div class="vt-gsteps"><div><div class="k">Step 1</div><div class="tt">Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee</div><div class="tx">The <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97241" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$235 fee</a> is paid online, ideally before departure; the card is mailed to the U.S. address on file.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 2</div><div class="tt">Keep residence in the U.S.</div><div class="tx">Long trips abroad can raise abandonment questions; an absence of more than one year generally requires a reentry permit or a returning resident (SB-1) visa.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 3</div><div class="tt">Naturalization</div><div class="tx">Most permanent residents may apply for citizenship after <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title8/html/USCODE-2024-title8-chap12-subchapIII-partII-sec1427.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">five years</a> of continuous residence, with physical presence for at least half that time.</div></div></div> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/f3"><div class="c">F3</div><div class="n">Married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">Third family preference.</div></a><a href="/visa/f1"><div class="c">F1</div><div class="n">Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">First family preference.</div></a><a href="/visa/ir-5"><div class="c">IR-5</div><div class="n">Parent of a U.S. citizen</div><div class="tx">Parents of adult citizens — no annual limit.</div></a><a href="/visa/dv"><div class="c">DV</div><div class="n">Diversity Visa</div><div class="tx">Lottery-based green card for eligible countries.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>Can a permanent resident sponsor a sibling?</summary><p>No. Only U.S. citizens can petition for brothers and sisters, and the citizen must be at least 21 (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department</a>).</p></details><details><summary>How long is the F4 wait?</summary><p>There is no fixed time. As of the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, visas are being issued to F4 applicants with priority dates before October 22, 2011 for most countries — a 15-year gap — and earlier for India, Mexico and the Philippines.</p></details><details><summary>Can my sibling’s husband or wife and children come too?</summary><p>Yes. The spouse and unmarried children under 21 are derivatives on the same petition.</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · Visa Bulletin for October 2026</span><span>travel.state.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-family-preference-immigrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · Family Immigration</span><span>travel.state.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act-cspa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · Fees for Visa Services</span><span>travel.state.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?topic_id=97270" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Fee Schedule (G-1055): Form I-130</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Department of State</strong> · Suspension of Visa Issuance — Proclamation 10998</span><span>travel.state.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Sep 18, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Public charge final rule takes effect.</strong> DHS’s final rule (91 FR 45324, published July 20, 2026) rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations and applies to admissions and to adjustment applications postmarked or submitted on or after September 18, 2026. <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-20/html/2026-14539.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Sep 4, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>October 2026 Visa Bulletin opens FY 2027.</strong> The first bulletin of fiscal year 2027 advanced several family final action dates; USCIS says family-sponsored adjustment applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart in October 2026. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 21, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>75-country immigrant visa pause no longer in effect.</strong> Under the court’s order in CLINIC et al. v. Rubio, et al., State says the January 2026 pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries ended as of August 21, 2026. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 5, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Public charge bond pilot for immigrant visa applicants.</strong> State says consular officers may require certain immigrant visa applicants to apply for a public charge bond with USCIS under a pilot used for select cases; if the bond is approved, a visa previously refused under INA 212(a)(4) may be issued. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/public-charge-bonds-for-immigrant-visa-applicants.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 5, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Court vacates USCIS benefit holds for “high-risk” country nationals.</strong> In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA-2025-26, which had held pending USCIS benefit requests from nationals of listed countries. USCIS says it is complying pending further review. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/update-on-uscis-strengthened-screening-and-vetting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 21, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Immigrant visa issuance paused for nationals of 75 countries.</strong> State paused all immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 listed countries, citing public-benefits concerns. Interviews continued, but visas were not issued. The pause ended August 21, 2026 under a court order. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 1, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10998 suspends immigrant visas for 39 nationalities.</strong> Proclamation 10998 (signed December 16, 2025; 90 FR 59717) took effect January 1, 2026. It fully suspends visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries and suspends immigrant visas for nationals of 19 more countries and Turkmenistan, with limited exceptions; case-by-case national-interest exceptions remain possible. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Nov 1, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Immigrant visa interviews in country of residence.</strong> The National Visa Center now schedules immigrant visa applicants in their country of residence or, if requested, their country of nationality, with rare exceptions. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-iv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 4, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from 19 countries.</strong> Proclamation 10949 (90 FR 24497) fully or partially suspended entry of nationals of 19 countries. Proclamation 10998 later continued and expanded it. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10669/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/f4">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Family", "item": "https://visatypes.com/family-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "F4", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/f4"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Can a permanent resident sponsor a sibling?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "No. Only U.S. citizens can petition for brothers and sisters, and the citizen must be at least 21 (State Department)."}}, {"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "How long is the F4 wait?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "There is no fixed time. 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The spouse and unmarried children under 21 are derivatives on the same petition."}}]}]</script> <script>(function(){var l=[].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('.vt-toc a'));if(!l.length||!window.IntersectionObserver)return;var m={};l.forEach(function(a){m[a.getAttribute('href').slice(1)]=a});var cur=null;function on(id){if(cur)cur.classList.remove('on');cur=m[id];if(cur)cur.classList.add('on')}on(l[0].getAttribute('href').slice(1));var io=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(x){if(x.isIntersecting)on(x.target.id)})},{rootMargin:'0px 0px -70% 0px'});Object.keys(m).forEach(function(id){var el=document.getElementById(id);el&&io.observe(el)})})();</script>