An F4 visa allows siblings of U.S. citizens to obtain a green card under INA § 203(a)(4). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. assists Livingston County residents with the visa petition process. Our F4 Visa Lawyer Livingston County team handles consular processing and adjustment of status for sibling petitions.
What Is the F4 Visa Category Under Immigration Law?
Last verified: April 2026 | Livingston County Supreme Court | Livingston County Supreme Court website
The F4 visa is a family-sponsored preference category under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA § 203(a)(4)). It permits U.S. citizens to petition for their siblings (brothers or sisters) to immigrate to the United States. The petitioner must be at least 21 years old. The sibling must be unmarried or married — the category includes the sibling’s spouse and minor children as derivative beneficiaries. The Visa Bulletin published monthly by the Department of State determines priority date movement. Current processing times for F4 visas from many countries exceed 10-15 years due to annual caps under INA § 201(c).
F4 Visa Statutory Framework and Eligibility
The F4 visa category is codified at INA § 203(a)(4), 8 U.S.C. § 1153(a)(4). The statute provides 65,000 family-sponsored visas annually, with per-country caps limiting each country to 7% of the total. For siblings of U.S. citizens, the petitioner must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS. The sibling relationship must be established through birth certificates, marriage records, or other acceptable evidence. The petitioner must demonstrate U.S. citizenship through a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport. The sibling beneficiary must meet admissibility requirements under INA § 212(a).
- Step 1: File Form I-130 with USCIS — include proof of U.S. citizenship, sibling relationship evidence, and the $675 filing fee.
- Step 2: USCIS approves the I-130 petition — the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.
- Step 3: NVC collects fees, affidavit of support (Form I-864), and civil documents from the beneficiary.
- Step 4: When the priority date becomes current per the Visa Bulletin, NVC schedules the consular interview.
- Step 5: The sibling beneficiary attends the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
- Step 6: Upon visa issuance, the sibling enters the U.S. and receives a green card within 30-60 days.
F4 Visa Processing Timeline and Priority Dates
In Livingston County, F4 visa processing times depend on the beneficiary’s country of chargeability and current Visa Bulletin movement.
| Country | Current Priority Date (April 2026) | Estimated Wait Time | Annual Cap Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2004 | 20-25 years | Severe backlog due to per-country cap |
| Mexico | 2001 | 20-25 years | High demand relative to cap |
| Philippines | 2003 | 18-22 years | Moderate backlog |
| All Other Countries | 2007 | 12-15 years | Standard processing |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your F4 Visa Petition?
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to immigration matters. Mr. Sris personally handles F4 visa petitions for Livingston County families. The firm has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC with over 93% favorable outcomes. Mr. Sris’s background in accounting and information systems provides a unique advantage in preparing the complex financial documentation required for affidavit of support forms. Indian Consulate officials in Washington, D.C. frequently consult Mr. Sris on U.S. legal matters, reflecting his standing in the immigration law community.
Case Results for F4 Visa Petitions
SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. Our F4 Visa Lawyer Livingston County team has successfully assisted siblings of U.S. citizens with consular processing, adjustment of status, and overcoming inadmissibility issues.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Buffalo, NY
50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Office No. 142, Buffalo, NY 14202
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (838)-292-0003
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Our New York location serves Livingston County clients at Livingston County courts. The office is accessible via I-90 (NYS Thruway), I-81, I-390, and Route 17/I-86. We serve Geneseo, Dansville, Mount Morris, Avon, Caledonia, Nunda, Lima, Livonia, Lakeville, and Conesus.
Looking for an F4 Visa Lawyer Livingston County? We handle the visa petition process lawyer Livingston County families rely on for sibling green cards. Our immigration visa application lawyer Livingston County team assists with every step of the F4 visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions About F4 Visas in Livingston County
Can I file an F4 visa petition for my half-sibling?
Yes. USCIS recognizes half-sibling relationships for F4 visa petitions. You must prove the common parent relationship through birth certificates showing the shared parent. DNA evidence may be requested by USCIS to confirm the biological relationship.
How long does an F4 visa take for Livingston County residents?
It depends. Current processing times range from 12-25 years depending on the beneficiary’s country of chargeability. India and Mexico have the longest backlogs. The Visa Bulletin determines when your priority date becomes current.
What happens if my sibling is married when the F4 visa becomes available?
No problem. The F4 visa category allows married siblings to immigrate. The sibling’s spouse and unmarried minor children under 21 can accompany as derivative beneficiaries. Marriage does not disqualify the sibling from the F4 category.
Can my sibling adjust status in the U.S. instead of consular processing?
It depends. Adjustment of status is available only if the sibling entered the U.S. lawfully and maintains valid immigration status. Most F4 beneficiaries must complete consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad because they are outside the U.S.
What is the filing fee for an F4 visa petition?
$675. The Form I-130 filing fee is $675 as of 2026. Additional fees include the NVC processing fee ($325), affidavit of support fee ($120), and visa application fee ($345). Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income petitioners.
Does New York’s sanctuary policy affect F4 visa processing?
No. New York’s sanctuary policies limit local cooperation with ICE enforcement but do not affect USCIS processing of family-based visa petitions. F4 visa processing remains a federal matter handled by USCIS and the Department of State.
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.