If you’re a U.S. citizen hoping to sponsor your brother or sister for a green card in 2026, patience is essential. Unlike spouses or parents, siblings fall into a backlogged family preference category that can take many years (sometimes decades) to move forward.
Here’s what actually controls the timeline, how long you should realistically expect to wait, what you can do to speed up the process, and other alternatives.
The Harsh Reality
As of 2026, the reality for U.S. citizens sponsoring a sibling is that processing times move very slowly. After you file Form I-130 to establish your sibling relationship, it can take years for USCIS to approve the petition, but the longest delay comes after approval.
Because siblings fall under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category with strict annual limits, most applicants face backlogs that push total wait times from 8 to 14 years, before a visa becomes available. For countries with especially high demand, such as Mexico and the Philippines, the wait can approach or exceed two decades.
The harsh reality is that major life milestones for both you and your sibling may pass before they are finally able to immigrate to the United States.
Application Process
Step One: To sponsor a sibling for a green card under the F4 (Family Fourth Preference) category, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, and file Form I-130 with proof of your citizenship and evidence of the sibling relationship.
Step Two: Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, your sibling receives a “priority date” and must wait until a visa becomes available pursuant to the Visa Bulletin. The priority date is the filing date of the I-130 petition, acting as your sibling’s “place in line” for a green card.
Step Three: Once their priority date becomes current, the case moves to the National Visa Center for fee payments, submission of the immigrant visa application (DS-260), and the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
Step Four: If your sibling is abroad, they will complete consular processing and attend an interview. If they are lawfully in the U.S. and eligible, they may apply for adjustment of status.
Upon approval, they receive an immigrant visa to enter the United States, and upon entry they will receive their green card in the mail.
Common Reasons for Denial
Common reasons sibling petitions are denied include failure to prove a qualifying sibling relationship (such as missing or inconsistent birth records), filing by someone who is not a U.S. citizen or is under 21, prior immigration violations that make the sibling inadmissible (such as unlawful presence, fraud, or certain criminal issues), and failure to meet the financial sponsorship requirements under Form I-864.
In some cases, petitions are also denied due to incomplete documentation, misrepresentation, or failure to respond to requests for evidence.
How long does it take for the I-130 petition to be approved by USCIS?
As of early 2026, USCIS processing times for Form I-130 petitions filed by U.S. citizens for siblings are significantly longer than for immediate relatives.
Current estimates generally range from about 17 to 60 months for USCIS to approve the I-130 petition itself. Processing times vary depending on the service center and overall workload, and this timeframe only covers the petition approval stage. To check the status of the Form I-130, enter the receipt number in the USCIS case status tracker.
After approval of Form I-130, the sibling must still wait for a visa number to become available in the F4 category according to their priority date on the Visa Bulletin, which can add many additional years to the process.
Alternatives Visas for Siblings
Because sibling petitions fall into the heavily backlogged F4 category, it is wise to explore alternative immigration options to avoid decades-long waits.
Depending on their qualifications, a sibling may qualify independently for an employment-based visa such as an H-1B (specialty occupation) or L-1 (intra-company transfer), an investor visa like the E-2 (if from a treaty country such as Mexico), a student visa (F-1), or even a self-petitioned green card under EB-1 individuals of extraordinary ability, or EB-2 with a National Interest Waiver.
Some may also qualify through marriage to a U.S. citizen, if applicable. These pathways require independent eligibility, but they can be significantly faster than waiting in the sibling green card line.
Conclusion
In 2026, sponsoring a sibling for a green card is not a quick family reunification process. It is a long-term commitment that can span many years, and in some cases decades.
While the I-130 petition is only the first step, the real wait begins after approval due to the long wait times for a visa to become available. For many families, exploring independent visa options alongside the sibling petition may offer a more practical path forward.
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