SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

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Ontario, located in the heart of the Inland Empire, is home to a growing Arab community with strong family ties extending across the globe. For U.S. citizens in Ontario who want to bring their brothers and sisters to the United States, the family fourth preference (F4) category is the available pathway. However, this category has the longest wait times in the family immigration system, often exceeding 15 to 25 years depending on the country of origin. SoCal Immigration Services helps Arab families in Ontario navigate this complex and lengthy process, ensuring that petitions remain valid and beneficiaries maintain eligibility throughout the wait.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

Understanding F4 Sibling Petitions

The family fourth preference (F4) category allows U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older to petition for their brothers and sisters to immigrate to the United States. This is the only family-based category available for siblings; lawful permanent residents (green card holders) cannot petition for siblings.

The F4 category is subject to per-country limits and annual numerical caps set by Congress at approximately 65,000 visas per year worldwide. Because demand far exceeds supply, significant backlogs have developed. As of February 2026, wait times range from 15 years for most countries to over 24 years for applicants from the Philippines, Mexico, India, and China.

For Arab families, wait times for most Middle Eastern and North African countries fall under the "All Chargeability Areas" category, which currently shows a priority date of approximately January 2008. This means siblings whose I-130 petitions were filed in January 2008 are just now becoming eligible for visa processing.

Despite the long wait, filing early is essential. The priority date is locked in when USCIS receives your Form I-130 petition, and every year you delay adds another year to the wait. The filing fee for Form I-130 is currently $535.

Current F4 Wait Times by Country of Chargeability

The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, shows current priority dates for each preference category. Below are approximate F4 wait times as of early 2026:

Country/Region	Current Priority Date	Approximate Wait Time	Notes
All Chargeability (includes most Arab countries)	January 2008	~18 years	Applies to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, etc.
Mexico	November 1998	~27 years	Separate allocation due to high demand
Philippines	March 2002	~24 years	Longest waits among all countries
India	January 2005	~21 years	Separate allocation
China (mainland)	January 2007	~19 years	Separate allocation
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras	January 2008	~18 years	Same as general chargeability

Filing Form I-130 for Your Sibling

The petition process begins with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Filing correctly and completely from the start prevents delays and establishes your priority date as early as possible.

1
Confirm Your Eligibility as Petitioner
You must be a U.S. citizen (not just a green card holder) and at least 21 years old. Gather your proof of citizenship: U.S. passport, naturalization certificate (Form N-550), or birth certificate showing U.S. birth
2
Prove the Sibling Relationship
Collect birth certificates for both you and your sibling showing at least one common parent. If your parents were not married, additional evidence may be needed. For half-siblings, the relationship must have existed before either turned 18. Documents from Arab countries may need apostille or authentication
3
Complete Form I-130 and Gather Supporting Documents
Fill out Form I-130 accurately. Include copies of your citizenship proof, both birth certificates, marriage certificates (if name changes occurred), and two passport-style photos. The filing fee is $535 (as of 2026)
4
Submit the Petition to USCIS
Mail the complete packet to the USCIS lockbox facility. You will receive a receipt notice (Form I-797C) within 2-4 weeks confirming your filing date, which becomes your priority date
5
Wait for I-130 Approval
USCIS typically processes I-130 petitions in 8-14 months. You will receive an approval notice (Form I-797). The approved petition then sits in the queue until your priority date becomes current
6
Monitor the Visa Bulletin Monthly
Check the Department of State Visa Bulletin each month to track when your priority date may become current. When your date appears in the bulletin, your sibling can begin the final visa processing steps

Maintaining Eligibility During the Long Wait

The wait for an F4 visa can span decades. During this time, changes in life circumstances can jeopardize the petition. Arab families in Ontario must be aware of these critical maintenance requirements:

•Petitioner must remain a U.S. citizen throughout the entire wait period. If citizenship was obtained through naturalization, it cannot be renounced or revoked
•Beneficiary (your sibling) must remain unmarried at the time the petition was filed AND must still be unmarried when the priority date becomes current. If your sibling marries during the wait, the petition is automatically revoked
•If the petitioner dies during the wait, the petition may still be valid under the humanitarian reinstatement provisions of INA Section 204(l), but the beneficiary must have been residing in the U.S. at the time of death
•Keep your address current with USCIS by filing Form AR-11 whenever you move. Failure to update your address can result in missed notices and potential issues
•Maintain copies of all documents, including the original I-797 receipt and approval notices, as these may be needed decades later during final processing
•If your sibling's civil status changes (marriage, divorce, name change), consult with an immigration professional immediately to understand the impact
•The beneficiary's spouse and unmarried children under 21 at the time of filing are considered derivative beneficiaries and can immigrate with the principal beneficiary

Age-Out Protection Under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)

The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is critical for F4 petitions because the wait is so long that derivative children of the beneficiary may "age out" (turn 21) before the visa becomes available. CSPA provides some protection:

•CSPA applies to derivative beneficiaries (children of the sibling you are petitioning for) who were under 21 when the I-130 was filed but turn 21 before the priority date becomes current
•Under CSPA, the child's age is calculated by subtracting the number of days the I-130 petition was pending from their actual age at the time the priority date becomes current
•If the CSPA-adjusted age is under 21, the child retains derivative status and can immigrate with the parent
•If the CSPA-adjusted age is 21 or older, the child ages out and loses derivative status. They would need a separate petition filed on their behalf
•For F4 petitions, the CSPA calculation often still results in aging out because the I-130 processing time (8-14 months) is subtracted from ages that may be in the 30s or 40s by the time the date is current
•To protect children who may age out, the petitioner can file a separate I-130 for the child if they qualify under a different preference category, such as if the child independently qualifies for a family or employment visa
•Document your children's birthdates and ages carefully in the original petition to preserve CSPA eligibility

How SoCal Immigration Services Helps Ontario Families

Our Arabic-speaking team provides comprehensive support for F4 sibling petitions from initial filing through final visa processing, even when the journey takes 15 to 25 years.

•Preparing and filing Form I-130 with complete and accurate documentation to establish the earliest possible priority date
•Obtaining and authenticating birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil documents from Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq
•Arabic-to-English certified translation of all supporting documents
•Monitoring the Visa Bulletin and notifying you when your priority date is approaching currency
•Advising on life changes that could affect the petition, including the beneficiary's marital status, petitioner's citizenship status, and derivative children's ages
•Preparing the complete immigrant visa package (DS-260, Affidavit of Support I-864, medical exam I-693) when the priority date becomes current
•Assisting with consular processing at U.S. embassies in the Middle East or adjustment of status if the beneficiary is already in the United States
•Free consultations in Arabic and English at our office, reachable at (714) 421-8872

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

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

A: No. Only U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older can petition for siblings under the F4 family fourth preference category. If you are a green card holder, you must first naturalize (become a U.S. citizen) before filing an I-130 for your brother or sister. Naturalizing as soon as you are eligible and then filing the I-130 immediately is the fastest strategy.

Q:What happens if my sibling gets married during the 18-year wait?

A: If the beneficiary sibling marries at any point during the wait, the F4 petition is automatically revoked. Marriage of the beneficiary is one of the most common reasons F4 petitions fail. Your sibling must remain unmarried from the time the petition is filed until they receive their immigrant visa or adjust status. There is no exception to this rule.

Q:Can my sibling work in the U.S. while waiting for the F4 visa?

A: The F4 petition alone does not authorize your sibling to enter or work in the United States. Your sibling must wait outside the U.S. (or maintain valid status if already here) until the priority date becomes current. If your sibling is already in the U.S. on a valid visa, they must maintain that status independently. Working without authorization can result in denial of the immigrant visa.

Q:Is there any way to speed up the F4 wait time?

A: There is no way to expedite an F4 petition. The wait is determined by the visa bulletin and per-country limits set by Congress. However, you can ensure you file the I-130 as early as possible to lock in your priority date. Some families also explore whether the sibling qualifies through employment-based categories (EB-2 or EB-3) or other pathways that may have shorter wait times.

Q:What if I die before my sibling's priority date becomes current?

A: If the petitioner dies, the I-130 petition is typically revoked. However, under INA Section 204(l), the petition may be reinstated for humanitarian purposes if the beneficiary was residing in the United States at the time of the petitioner's death and continues to reside here. Another family member who is a U.S. citizen or LPR may also be able to substitute as the new petitioner in some cases.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Ontario 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 13, 2026Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Ready to Petition for Your Sibling? Start the Process Today

Every year you wait to file adds another year to the wait time. Call our Arabic-speaking team to begin your F4 sibling petition and lock in your priority date as early as possible.

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Sibling Petition Wait Times in Ontario: F4 Family Immigration Guide for Arab Families