Sibling Petition Lawyer Tompkins County — How Do You Sponsor Your Brother or Sister?

A Sibling Petition Lawyer Tompkins County handles F4 visa petitions under INA § 203(a)(4). Tompkins County residents face 15-20+ year wait times for sibling sponsorship. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has firm-wide documented results across 4,739+ cases.

What Is a Sibling Petition Under Immigration Law?

Last verified: April 2026 | Tompkins County Supreme Court | nycourts.gov

A sibling petition, also called an F4 visa petition, allows a U.S. citizen to sponsor their brother or sister for a green card. The legal basis is INA § 203(a)(4), which allocates 65,000 family-sponsored visas annually to siblings of U.S. citizens. The petitioner must be at least 21 years old. The sibling relationship must be biological, half-sibling, or step-sibling established before age 18. The process requires filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. Current visa bulletin wait times for siblings from most countries exceed 15 years due to per-country caps and high demand. A Sibling Petition Lawyer Tompkins County helps families handle these complex timelines and filing requirements.

Official Resources for Sibling Petitions

Insider Procedural Edge for Tompkins County Sibling Petitions

Immigration cases for Tompkins County residents are processed at the applicable USCIS Field Location — NYC residents at 26 Federal Plaza, Manhattan, NY 10278; Long Island residents at the Holtsville office; upstate NY residents at field offices based on ZIP code. Removal (deportation defense) proceedings are heard at the New York Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza or Varick Street Immigration Court. New York has strong sanctuary policies — NYC Executive Order 41 limits city cooperation with ICE detainers and enforcement actions. Mr. Sris handles NY immigration matters. SRIS assists with family-based petitions, adjustment of status, naturalization, deportation defense, asylum, cancellation of removal, and VAWA petitions.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility. Confirm you are a U.S. citizen age 21 or older with a qualifying sibling relationship (biological, half, or step-sibling established before age 18).
Step 2: File Form I-130. Submit the Petition for Alien Relative with supporting documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of citizenship) to the appropriate USCIS service center.
Step 3: Wait for USCIS Approval. USCIS reviews the petition and issues a receipt notice. Processing takes 12-18 months for most sibling petitions.
Step 4: National Visa Center Processing. After USCIS approval, the case transfers to NVC. The sibling pays fees and submits the Affidavit of Support (I-864) and civil documents.
Step 5: Wait for Visa Number. The sibling waits for a visa number to become current under the F4 category. This wait varies by country of birth — 15-20+ years for most countries.
Step 6: Consular Processing or Adjustment. When the priority date becomes current, the sibling attends a consular interview at the U.S. embassy abroad or files I-485 if already in the U.S.

In Tompkins County, sibling petition processing involves federal immigration timelines and fees rather than criminal penalties.

Offense	Classification	Incarceration	Fine	License Impact	Additional Consequences
Filing a fraudulent sibling petition	Federal crime — INA § 274C	Up to 5 years	Up to $250,000	N/A	Deportation, permanent bar from immigration benefits
Misrepresentation on immigration forms	Federal crime — 18 U.S.C. § 1546	Up to 10 years	Up to $250,000	N/A	Inadmissibility, removal proceedings

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your Sibling Petition?

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor with a background in accounting and information systems. 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. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute) and is frequently consulted by Indian Consulate officials in Washington, D.C. on U.S. legal matters. The firm provides full representation for sibling petitions, including I-130 filing, consular processing, and visa bulletin strategy.

Mr. Sris — Owner & CEO, Managing Attorney

Bar Admissions: Virginia; multi-state practice across VA, MD, DC, NJ, NY

Former prosecutor; founded firm 1997; background in accounting & information systems provides advantage in complex financial/tech cases; successfully amended Virginia Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute); played key role in achieving official Virginia state recognition for Pongal Day (celebrated annually Jan 14 since 2018); Indian Consulate officials in Washington, D.C. frequently consult him informally for insights on U.S. legal matters; provides valuable consultation to Indian nationals handling U.S. legal affairs; keeps personal caseload small to ensure deep involvement; cases handled collaboratively with experienced Of Counsel; every attorney at firm has well over a decade of practice experience; active involvement with professional organizations and community groups.

Case Results for Sibling Petition Matters

Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. These results include successful I-130 sibling petition approvals, consular processing completions, and adjustment of status cases for siblings of U.S. citizens.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Our New York Location

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 NY location serves clients at Tompkins County courts. The location is accessible via I-90 (NYS Thruway), I-81, I-390, and Route 17/I-86.

We serve Ithaca, Dryden, Lansing, Trumansburg, Groton, Newfield, Caroline, and Enfield.

Looking for a sibling petition lawyer near me Tompkins County? We provide remote consultations for Tompkins County residents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sibling Petitions in Tompkins County

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a sibling for a green card?

Yes, a U.S. citizen age 21 or older can sponsor a brother or sister for a green card under the F4 visa category. The sibling relationship must be biological, half-sibling, or step-sibling established before age 18.

How long does a sibling petition take for Tompkins County residents?

It depends. USCIS processing for Form I-130 takes 12-18 months. After approval, the wait for a visa number under the F4 category ranges from 15 to 20+ years for most countries due to annual visa caps.

What is the filing fee for a sibling petition?

The filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 as of 2026. Additional fees include the Affidavit of Support fee ($120) and consular processing fees ($325) when the case reaches the National Visa Center stage.

Can a sibling petition be expedited?

No, sibling petitions under the F4 category cannot be expedited. The wait time is determined by the visa bulletin priority date system. Humanitarian expedite requests are rarely granted for family-based fourth preference petitions.

What documents are needed for a sibling petition?

You need your birth certificate, your sibling’s birth certificate, proof of your U.S. citizenship (passport or naturalization certificate), and evidence of the sibling relationship. If sponsoring a half-sibling, include marriage certificates showing the common parent.

Can a married sibling be sponsored?

Yes, a U.S. citizen can sponsor a married sibling. The sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may also receive derivative visas as accompanying family members under the F4 category.

Related Legal Services

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.

Sibling Petition Lawyer Tompkins County | SRIS, P.C.