Green Card Through Sibling Petition in Garden Grove: F4 Family Immigration Guide

Quick Answer

Garden Grove, home to one of Orange County's largest and most vibrant Arab communities with over 15,000 residents of Middle Eastern and North African descent, has deep family ties extending across the globe. Many Arab-American citizens in Garden Grove want to bring their brothers and sisters to the United States permanently. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance to Garden Grove families navigating the F4 sibling petition process, from initial filing through green card approval.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What Is the F4 Sibling Preference Category?

The Fourth Preference (F4) family-sponsored immigrant category allows U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to petition for their brothers and sisters to receive green cards and become lawful permanent residents. This category is established under Section 203(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and receives approximately 65,000 visa numbers annually.

The F4 category is the last of the four family preference categories and has the longest wait times because demand far exceeds the annual visa allocation. Despite these extended timelines, the sibling petition remains one of the only pathways for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens to obtain permanent residency. For Arab families in Garden Grove who value keeping family members together in the United States, the F4 petition represents a viable long-term immigration strategy.

When a U.S. citizen files an F4 petition for a sibling, the sibling's spouse and unmarried children under 21 are also included as derivative beneficiaries. This means your brother or sister's immediate family can immigrate together when the priority date becomes current.

Eligibility Requirements for F4 Sibling Petitions

Both the petitioner (U.S. citizen) and the beneficiary (sibling) must meet specific requirements for the F4 petition to be approved. Understanding these requirements before filing prevents delays and denials.

•The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen — lawful permanent residents (green card holders) cannot file for siblings
•The petitioner must be at least 21 years of age at the time of filing
•The petitioner and beneficiary must share at least one common parent (full siblings and half-siblings both qualify)
•The sibling relationship must be documented with birth certificates showing a common parent
•Step-siblings qualify only if the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before either child turned 18
•Adopted siblings qualify if the adoption was finalized before the child turned 16 and the child has been in the legal custody of the adopting parent for at least 2 years
•The beneficiary sibling cannot have certain criminal convictions or immigration violations that would make them inadmissible
•There is no requirement that the sibling be a specific age — adult siblings of any age qualify

How to File the F4 Sibling Petition: Step-by-Step Process

Filing an F4 sibling petition involves multiple stages over many years. Each step must be completed accurately to avoid processing delays.

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Step 1: File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
The U.S. citizen petitioner files Form I-130 with USCIS, along with proof of U.S. citizenship (passport, naturalization certificate, or birth certificate), proof of the sibling relationship (birth certificates of both the petitioner and beneficiary showing at least one common parent), and the filing fee of $535. If names have changed due to marriage or legal name changes, include court orders or marriage certificates. Filing can be done online or by mail to the USCIS lockbox facility.
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Step 2: Receive I-130 Approval and Priority Date
USCIS reviews the petition and issues a receipt notice (I-797C) with your priority date — the date USCIS received the I-130. Processing takes 5 to 12 months. Once approved, USCIS sends an I-797 approval notice. The case then transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC) but remains in a waiting queue until the priority date becomes current based on the monthly Visa Bulletin.
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Step 3: Wait for Priority Date to Become Current
The F4 category has significant backlogs. Wait times vary by country of birth: approximately 15 to 16 years for most countries, 23+ years for Mexico, 23+ years for the Philippines, and 15 to 17 years for India. Most Arab nationals born in Middle Eastern and North African countries fall under the 'rest of world' category with wait times of approximately 15 to 16 years. Monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov.
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Step 4: NVC Processing and Document Collection
When your priority date is close to becoming current, the NVC contacts the petitioner and beneficiary to begin immigrant visa processing. The NVC requires submission of Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application), Affidavit of Support (I-864) from the petitioner, civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates), passport-style photographs, and the immigrant visa fee of $325 per applicant. All documents must be submitted through the CEAC online portal.
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Step 5: Consular Interview at U.S. Embassy
After NVC completes processing and the priority date is current, the case transfers to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the beneficiary's country. The sibling and derivative family members attend an in-person interview where a consular officer reviews the relationship, admissibility, and documentation. If approved, the immigrant visa is stamped in the passport. The sibling has 6 months to enter the United States and receives the green card by mail after arrival.
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Step 6: Entry to the United States and Green Card
Upon entering the U.S. with the immigrant visa, the sibling and any derivative family members become lawful permanent residents. The physical green card arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks. The green card is valid for 10 years and must be renewed before expiration. After 5 years as a permanent resident, the sibling can apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Priority Date Waiting Times for F4 Sibling Petitions

The F4 category has the longest wait times in the family preference system. Understanding current processing times helps Garden Grove families plan their immigration timeline realistically.

Country of Birth	Current Wait Time (Approx.)	Latest Final Action Date	Annual Visa Allocation
Rest of World (most Arab countries)	15-16 years	Approximately 2010-2011	65,000 total for F4
Mexico	23+ years	Approximately 2001-2002	Shared from 65,000
Philippines	23+ years	Approximately 2002-2003	Shared from 65,000
India	15-17 years	Approximately 2009-2010	Shared from 65,000
China (mainland)	15-17 years	Approximately 2009-2010	Shared from 65,000

NVC Processing: What to Expect

The National Visa Center (NVC) serves as the intermediary between USCIS and the U.S. Embassy. NVC processing involves several important steps that Garden Grove families must complete accurately.

After the I-130 petition is approved and forwarded by USCIS, the NVC assigns a case number and sends a welcome letter to both the petitioner and beneficiary. The NVC then holds the case until the priority date approaches currency. When the Visa Bulletin shows the priority date will become current within the next few months, the NVC sends instructions to submit documents.

The petitioner must file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) demonstrating household income at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a petitioner sponsoring a sibling and their family, the income requirement increases with each family member. If the petitioner's income is insufficient, a joint sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can file a separate I-864.

The beneficiary submits Form DS-260 online, along with civil documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), police clearance certificates from every country of residence for 6+ months after age 16, and medical examination results from an approved panel physician. All foreign-language documents must include certified English translations.

NVC processing typically takes 2 to 6 months after all documents are submitted. The NVC reviews everything for completeness and requests additional documents if needed. Once the case is documentarily complete and the priority date is current, the NVC schedules the consular interview.

Consular Interview Preparation for Sibling Petitions

The consular interview is the final step before the immigrant visa is issued. Proper preparation increases the likelihood of approval.

•Bring all original documents — birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, and the medical exam sealed envelope
•Prepare to explain the sibling relationship clearly — the officer will verify that the petitioner and beneficiary share at least one parent
•Have evidence of the ongoing relationship — photographs together, phone records, money transfer receipts, and correspondence over the years
•The beneficiary must demonstrate they will not become a public charge — the I-864 Affidavit of Support from the petitioner is critical
•If the beneficiary has any prior immigration violations, visa overstays, or criminal history, prepare a thorough explanation and any applicable waiver applications
•Derivative family members (spouse and children under 21) attend the same interview and must bring their own documents
•Dress professionally and arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time

Timeline and Costs for F4 Sibling Petitions

The F4 sibling petition involves costs spread over many years. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of fees and timelines for Garden Grove families:

Stage	Government Fee	Timeline	Additional Costs
I-130 Filing	$535	5-12 months for approval	Attorney fees $1,500-$3,000
Priority Date Wait	$0	15-23 years depending on country	N/A
NVC Immigrant Visa Fee	$325 per person	2-6 months processing	Document translation $100-$500
Affidavit of Support	$0	Filed during NVC stage	Tax return preparation if needed
Medical Exam (overseas)	$200-$500 per person	Must be within 6 months of interview	Vaccination costs additional
USCIS Immigrant Fee	$235 per person	Paid before entry to U.S.	Green card production fee
Total per Principal	$1,095-$1,595+	16-24 years total	Attorney + translation + medical

Why Choose SoCal Immigration Services in Garden Grove

Arab families in Garden Grove choose our team for F4 sibling petition services because we combine legal expertise with cultural understanding:

•Arabic-speaking staff who explain the complex multi-year sibling petition process in your language
•Extensive experience filing I-130 petitions for siblings from Middle Eastern and North African countries
•NVC document preparation assistance including Affidavit of Support income calculations and civil document compilation
•Consular interview preparation with mock interviews tailored to sibling relationship questions
•Priority date monitoring and Visa Bulletin tracking so you never miss a processing window
•Assistance with derivative beneficiary issues including aging-out protection under the Child Status Protection Act
•Serving Garden Grove, Westminster, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, and all of Orange County
•Free initial consultation to evaluate your sibling petition case and explain realistic timelines

Contact SoCal Immigration Services

For F4 sibling petition services in Garden Grove, contact SoCal Immigration Services today. Call (714) 421-8872 to schedule a free consultation with our Arabic-speaking team. We help Arab families in Garden Grove, Westminster, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and all of Southern California bring their brothers and sisters to the United States through the family fourth preference category. Your family deserves to be together — let us help make it happen.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:Can a green card holder file a sibling petition?

A: No. Only U.S. citizens can file F4 sibling petitions. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must first naturalize and become a U.S. citizen before you can petition for your brother or sister. There is no sibling category available for green card holders.

Q:How long does the F4 sibling petition take?

A: The F4 sibling petition has the longest wait times in the family immigration system. For most Arab nationals born in Middle Eastern countries, the current wait is approximately 15 to 16 years from the date of filing. Wait times for Mexico and the Philippines exceed 23 years. These timelines can change based on Congressional action and visa number allocation.

Q:Can my sibling's spouse and children also get green cards?

A: Yes. When you file an F4 petition for your sibling, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 are automatically included as derivative beneficiaries. They receive green cards at the same time as your sibling. However, if children turn 21 or marry before the priority date becomes current, they may age out or lose eligibility.

Q:What happens if my sibling's child turns 21 during the waiting period?

A: The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides some protection against aging out. Under CSPA, the child's age is calculated by subtracting the time the I-130 petition was pending from their biological age on the date the priority date becomes current. If the calculated age is under 21, the child remains eligible. If not, they age out and need a separate petition.

Q:Can I sponsor a half-sibling through the F4 category?

A: Yes. Half-siblings who share at least one common parent qualify for the F4 sibling petition. You must provide birth certificates for both yourself and your sibling showing the shared parent. Step-siblings only qualify if the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before either child turned 18.

Q:What if the petitioner dies during the long waiting period?

A: If the U.S. citizen petitioner dies while the I-130 petition is pending or approved, the case may be eligible for humanitarian reinstatement. Under current USCIS policy, a substitute sponsor (another family member) can request that the petition be reinstated for humanitarian reasons. This is discretionary and not guaranteed, so consulting an immigration attorney promptly is essential.

Q:Can my sibling visit the U.S. on a tourist visa while waiting for the F4 petition?

A: Having a pending F4 petition does not automatically disqualify your sibling from obtaining a B1/B2 tourist visa. However, the consular officer may scrutinize the application more carefully due to the pending immigrant petition. Your sibling must demonstrate strong ties to their home country and intent to return after the visit.

Q:Is there any way to speed up the F4 sibling petition?

A: There is no way to expedite the F4 priority date wait. The timeline is determined by the Visa Bulletin and Congressional visa allocations. However, you can ensure no time is wasted by filing the I-130 as soon as possible, keeping USCIS updated on address changes, responding promptly to NVC requests, and having all documents ready before the priority date becomes current.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Garden Grove 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: February 22, 2026Last Updated: February 22, 2026

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