Egyptian Family Petition in Anaheim: Bringing Your Egyptian Relatives to America

Quick Answer

Egyptian-Americans in Anaheim's Little Arabia can petition for family members in Egypt using Form I-130. Wait times vary by relationship category, with immediate relatives having the shortest waits.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

For Egyptian families in Anaheim's Little Arabia community seeking to reunite with relatives in Egypt, family-based immigration petitions provide the pathway. SoCal Immigration Services has deep roots in the Egyptian community and provides culturally sensitive, Arabic-speaking assistance.

Family Immigration for Egyptian-Americans

If you're a U.S. citizen or green card holder of Egyptian descent living in Anaheim, you can sponsor certain family members for immigration to the United States. The process begins with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Who you can sponsor depends on your status:
• U.S. Citizens: Can sponsor parents, children, spouses, and siblings
• Green Card Holders: Can sponsor spouses and unmarried children

Family Preference Categories

Family immigration is divided into categories with different wait times:

Category	Relationship	Current Wait (Egypt)
Immediate Relative	Spouse, parent, child (under 21) of U.S. citizen	No wait - visa immediately available
F1	Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens	7-8 years
F2A	Spouse/children of green card holders	2-3 years
F2B	Unmarried adult children of green card holders	6-8 years
F3	Married adult children of U.S. citizens	13-15 years
F4	Siblings of adult U.S. citizens	15-22 years

Immediate Relatives (No Wait)

If you're a U.S. citizen, the following relatives have no numerical limits and no wait time:

• Your spouse
• Your unmarried children under 21
• Your parents (if you are over 21)

These cases move directly to immigrant visa processing after I-130 approval, making family reunification much faster than preference categories.

The I-130 Petition Process

Steps to bring your Egyptian relatives to America:

1
File Form I-130
U.S. sponsor files petition with USCIS
2
USCIS Processing
USCIS reviews and approves petition (6-12 months for immediate relatives)
3
National Visa Center
Case transferred to NVC for processing
4
Document Collection
Submit civil documents, I-864 affidavit of support
5
Embassy Interview
Relative attends interview at U.S. Embassy Cairo
6
Visa Issuance
Immigrant visa issued for travel to U.S.

U.S. Embassy Cairo

Egyptian relatives will interview at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo:

• Address: 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo
• Most Egyptian immigrant visas processed here
• Arabic interpreters available
• Bring all original documents with translations
• Expect detailed questions about family relationship
• Medical exam required before interview (at approved clinic)

Required Documents from Egypt

Documents your Egyptian relative will need:

•Valid Egyptian passport (valid for at least 6 months)
•Birth certificate from Egypt (with translation)
•Marriage certificate (if applicable, with translation)
•Divorce or death certificate (if previously married)
•Police clearance certificate from Egypt
•Military service documents (for males)
•Educational and employment records
•Passport-style photos meeting U.S. requirements

Affidavit of Support (I-864)

As the U.S. sponsor, you must prove you can financially support your relative:

• Income must meet 125% of federal poverty guidelines
• Include tax returns for last 3 years
• Employment letter with salary confirmation
• If income is insufficient, use assets or joint sponsor
• The commitment lasts until relative becomes citizen or works 40 quarters

Egyptian Document Authentication

Egyptian documents require special handling:

• Documents must be authenticated by Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Then authenticated by U.S. Embassy Cairo (apostille equivalent)
• Must be translated into English by certified translator
• Birth certificates from Egyptian civil registry
• Religious marriage certificates may need civil registration

Challenges for Egyptian Families

Common issues Egyptian families encounter:

•Long wait times for sibling petitions (F4 category)
•Document authentication and translation requirements
•Military service documentation for males
•Changes in Egyptian civil status during wait
•Administrative processing delays at embassy
•Proving relationship for long-separated families

While You Wait

During the waiting period:

• Keep USCIS informed of address changes (AR-11)
• Update NVC if your relative's address changes
• Monitor visa bulletin monthly for priority date movement
• Prepare financial documents for I-864
• Maintain contact with relative in Egypt
• Gather ongoing evidence of relationship

Anaheim Little Arabia Services

SoCal Immigration Services provides specialized help for Anaheim's Egyptian community:

•I-130 family petition preparation and filing
•Arabic to English document translation
•Egyptian document authentication guidance
•NVC processing assistance
•I-864 affidavit of support preparation
•Embassy interview preparation
•Native Arabic speakers familiar with Egyptian culture

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How long does it take to bring parents from Egypt?

A: Parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives with no wait time. The process typically takes 12-18 months total, including I-130 processing, NVC, and embassy interview scheduling.

Q:Can I bring my siblings from Egypt?

A: Yes, U.S. citizens over 21 can petition for siblings, but the F4 category currently has a 15-22 year wait. File early if you want to eventually sponsor siblings.

Q:Do Egyptian documents need apostille?

A: Egypt is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents need authentication by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the U.S. Embassy Cairo instead.

Q:What if my Egyptian relative has a criminal record?

A: Criminal history can affect visa eligibility. Minor offenses may not be a problem, but serious crimes can lead to inadmissibility. Each case is evaluated individually - consult with us about specific situations.

Q:Can green card holders petition for siblings?

A: No, only U.S. citizens can petition for siblings. Green card holders can only petition for spouses and unmarried children. Consider naturalizing if you want to sponsor siblings.

Q:What happens if I become a citizen while my petition is pending?

A: You can request to upgrade your petition to the citizen category, which may have faster processing. However, for some categories (F2A to immediate relative), this can actually help. For others (F2B to F1), the impact varies.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Anaheim and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 11, 2026Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Need to Bring Egyptian Family to Anaheim?

Our Arabic-speaking team has helped hundreds of Egyptian families reunite. Let us guide you through the petition process.

Serving Anaheim and all of Southern California

Schedule Free Consultation (714) 421-8872

family•Whittier