F4 Visa Lawyer Staten Island — How Can We Help Your Sibling Petition?
An F4 visa for Staten Island residents allows U.S. citizens to petition siblings under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Our F4 Visa Lawyer Staten Island team handles the visa petition process.
Last verified: April 2026 | Richmond County Supreme Court | nycourts.gov
An F4 visa, or sibling petition, is a family-based immigrant visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1153(a)(4)). It allows a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old to petition for their brother or sister to immigrate to the United States. This category has a significant annual cap, skilled to multi-year wait times, especially for applicants from countries with high demand like India, Mexico, and the Philippines. The process involves filing an I-130 petition with USCIS.
For official information on the F4 visa category, refer to the USCIS Forms and Fees page and the Richmond County Supreme Court website.
- Determine eligibility: The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, and the sibling must be a brother or sister.
- File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. Include proof of U.S. citizenship and sibling relationship.
- Wait for USCIS approval. This can take 12-24 months. After approval, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Pay NVC fees and submit the Affidavit of Support (I-864) and civil documents. The NVC will schedule an interview at the U.S. consulate in the sibling’s home country.
- Attend the visa interview. If approved, the sibling receives an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
In Staten Island, an F4 visa petition carries no criminal penalty but involves a multi-year wait and substantial USCIS filing fees.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F4 Visa Petition | Immigration Benefit | None | I-130 Filing Fee: $675 | None | Multi-year wait; potential for denial and removal proceedings if misrepresentation is found |
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. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep legal experience. Our team provides full representation for the visa petition process lawyer Staten Island clients need.
Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. This includes numerous successful family-based visa petitions. Our F4 Visa Lawyer Staten Island team applies this experience to each case.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our New York location serves clients at Richmond County (Staten Island) courts. We are accessible via I-278, Staten Island Expressway, and West Shore Expressway.
We serve Staten Island neighborhoods: St. George, New Dorp, Tottenville, Great Kills, Stapleton, Port Richmond.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
F4 visa lawyer near Staten Island — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
How long does an F4 visa take for a sibling from India?
Yes, the wait is very long. For Indian nationals, the current priority date backlog is over 15 years due to high demand and annual caps. The visa petition process lawyer Staten Island clients use must plan for this extended timeline.
Can I file an F4 visa for a half-sibling?
Yes, you can. A half-sibling is considered a sibling under immigration law if you share at least one common parent. You must provide proof of the parent-child relationship for both you and your half-sibling.
What happens if my sibling is already in the U.S. on a different visa?
It depends. If your sibling entered legally and is in valid status, they may be able to adjust status to a green card without leaving the U.S. If they are out of status, they may need to consular process abroad.
What is the filing fee for an I-130 petition for an F4 visa?
The current filing fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is $675. This fee is subject to change. Additional fees apply for the Affidavit of Support and visa processing at the National Visa Center.
Can I petition for my sibling if I am a lawful permanent resident?
No, you cannot. Only U.S. citizens can petition for siblings under the F4 visa category. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can only petition for spouses, unmarried children, and parents.
Last verified: 2026-04. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.
For more information, visit our New York Immigration Lawyer hub. You can also see our Manhattan Immigration Lawyer page or Criminal Defense Lawyer Staten Island page.