An F4 visa allows U.S. citizens to petition for siblings under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1153). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles F4 visa petitions for Queens County residents. Our firm has 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | Queens County Supreme Court | 8 U.S.C. § 1153 (official U.S. Code)
The F4 visa category, codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1153(a)(4), permits U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to petition for their siblings (brothers or sisters) to obtain lawful permanent residence. This family-based fourth preference category requires the petitioner to demonstrate a qualifying sibling relationship and meet income requirements. The visa petition process lawyer Queens County residents rely on handles the I-130 petition, consular processing, and any necessary waivers. Processing times for F4 visas currently exceed 13 years due to annual caps and per-country limits. The immigration visa application lawyer Queens County clients trust manages the entire process from filing to interview preparation.
8 U.S.C. § 1153 (official U.S. Code) — Defines family-sponsored preference categories including F4 sibling petitions.
Queens County Supreme Court official website — Local court information for Queens County.
- Determine eligibility — you must be a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older with a qualifying sibling relationship.
- File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS, including proof of citizenship and sibling relationship.
- Wait for priority date to become current under the Visa Bulletin — current wait times exceed 13 years for most countries.
- Once priority date is current, the sibling completes consular processing at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
- Attend the visa interview and receive the immigrant visa for entry to the United States.
- Upon entry, the sibling receives lawful permanent residence and can apply for a green card.
In Queens County, F4 visa petitions carry no criminal penalties but involve significant processing delays. The primary consequence is the wait time for a visa number to become available.
| Issue | Classification | Processing Time | Filing Fee | Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F4 Visa Petition | Family-sponsored preference | 13+ years (current estimates) | $675 (I-130 fee) | Priority date determines wait | Per-country caps apply; India backlog exceeds 20 years |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has handled 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating his ability to effect change at the legislative level. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our New York location serves clients at Queens County (Queens) courts. Accessible via I-495 (LIE), Grand Central Pkwy, Van Wyck Exwy, and BQE.
F4 visa lawyer near Queens County — serving Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, Long Island City, Forest Hills, Bayside, Jackson Heights, Rego Park, Elmhurst, Woodside, Corona, Rockaway Beach, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, and Fresh Meadows.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (838)-292-0003
By appointment only.
Q: What is an F4 visa?
Yes. An F4 visa is a family-sponsored fourth preference visa that allows U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to petition for their siblings to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States.
Q: How long does an F4 visa take for Queens County residents?
It depends. Current processing times exceed 13 years due to annual visa caps and per-country limits. For countries with high demand like India, wait times can exceed 20 years.
Q: Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for an F4 visa?
No. The F4 visa does not provide work authorization during the waiting period. The sibling must wait until the priority date becomes current and the immigrant visa is issued before entering the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
Q: What documents do I need for an F4 visa petition?
You need proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), proof of sibling relationship (birth certificates showing common parent), and Form I-130 with the $675 filing fee.
Q: Does New York’s sanctuary policy affect F4 visa processing?
No. NYC Executive Order 41 limits city cooperation with ICE enforcement but does not affect USCIS processing of family-based petitions. F4 visa processing remains under federal jurisdiction.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.