===META_TITLE_START===
F4 Visa Lawyer Kings County | SRIS, P.C.
===META_TITLE_END===
===META_DESCRIPTION_START===
F4 Visa Lawyer Kings County (Brooklyn), NY. Family-based green card petitions for siblings of U.S. citizens. Consultation by appointment. Call (888) 437-7747.
===META_DESCRIPTION_END===
F4 Visa Lawyer Kings County (Brooklyn), New York — How Do You Petition for a Sibling?
An F4 visa allows U.S. citizens in Kings County to petition for a sibling under INA § 203(a)(4). The visa petition process lawyer Kings County relies on must handle USCIS backlogs exceeding 15 years. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides case-specific guidance for Brooklyn residents.
Last verified: April 2026 | Kings County Supreme Court | INA § 203(a)(4) (official U.S. Congress)
The F4 visa category, defined under INA § 203(a)(4), permits U.S. citizens to petition for their siblings (brothers or sisters) to obtain lawful permanent residence. This family-based fourth preference category requires the petitioner to be at least 21 years old. The immigration visa application lawyer Kings County residents choose must understand the statutory requirements, including the relationship proof and the annual visa cap of 65,000 for this category. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. since 1997, brings former prosecutor insight to immigration strategy.
For F4 visa petitions specifically, the controlling statute is INA § 203(a)(4) (8 U.S.C. § 1153(a)(4)), which governs sibling-based immigration. Unlike family-based categories for spouses or children, the F4 visa has no immediate relative exemption, meaning every petition is subject to the annual numerical cap. This distinction is critical for Kings County petitioners facing multi-decade wait times.
Review the official statute: INA § 203(a)(4) (official U.S. Congress). For Kings County court information, visit the Kings County Supreme Court website.
- File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS, including proof of U.S. citizenship and sibling relationship.
- Wait for USCIS approval — current processing for I-130 petitions at the Texas Service Center averages 12-18 months.
- After approval, the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC) for fee processing and document collection.
- Once the priority date becomes current (check the Visa Bulletin monthly), NVC schedules the consular interview.
- The beneficiary attends the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
- Upon visa issuance, the sibling must enter the U.S. within six months to activate lawful permanent residence.
In Kings County, F4 visa petitions carry no criminal penalties but involve USCIS filing fees and potential consequences for misrepresentation.
| Issue | Classification | Filing Fee | Processing Time | Visa Cap | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 Petition | Family-based 4th preference | $675 | 12-18 months (USCIS) | 65,000/year | Priority date backlog: 15+ years |
| NVC Processing | Consular processing | $445 (IV fee) | 3-6 months | Per-country cap: 7% | Document review delays |
| Visa Interview | Consular adjudication | $325 (visa fee) | 1-3 months after NVC | Country-specific backlog | INA § 212 inadmissibility grounds |
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, demonstrating deep statutory knowledge applicable to immigration strategy. The firm’s motto: “Advocacy Without Borders.”
SRIS actively practices in Kings County — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our New York location serves clients at Kings County (Brooklyn) courts. The NY location is accessible via BQE (I-278), Atlantic Ave, Flatbush Ave, and Belt Pkwy.
F4 visa lawyer near Kings County (Brooklyn) — serving Downtown, Williamsburg, Park Slope, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Bay Ridge, Bed-Stuy, Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Brownsville, and Sunset Park.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (838)-292-0003
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
What is the current wait time for an F4 visa from Kings County?
Yes, the wait time is significant. Current USCIS processing for I-130 petitions is 12-18 months, but the priority date backlog for siblings from most countries exceeds 15 years. Check the monthly Visa Bulletin for your country’s specific cutoff date.
Can I file an F4 visa petition for my sibling if I live in Brooklyn?
Yes, you can file from Kings County. You must be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years old. File Form I-130 with USCIS, and the petition will be processed based on your residence address. The NYC Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza handles related applications.
Does the F4 visa allow my sibling’s spouse and children to immigrate too?
Yes, derivative beneficiaries are included. Your sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany or follow-to-join. Each derivative beneficiary counts against the annual visa cap, which can further extend wait times.
What happens if my sibling overstayed a previous visa?
It depends on the overstay duration. An overstay of 180 days to one year triggers a 3-year bar under INA § 212(a)(9)(B). Over one year triggers a 10-year bar. A waiver (I-601) may be available if the overstay was brief or if extreme hardship can be shown.
How does the F4 visa differ from the F2B visa for siblings?
No, they are different categories. The F4 visa is for siblings of U.S. citizens. The F2B visa is for unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents. The F4 visa has a separate annual cap of 65,000 and typically longer wait times than F2B.
Learn more about New York immigration law. Compare with Manhattan immigration lawyer or Queens immigration lawyer. See also Kings County criminal defense lawyer and Kings County family law lawyer.
Meet Mr. Sris, our lead immigration attorney. Visit our New York office location.
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.