F4 visa: Requirements, process, fees, and processing time
Family immigration can take years. The F4 visa is a good example of how slow U.S. immigration can get. It's for the brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens. If you qualify, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can usually come along, or follow you later, as derivative applicants.
This guide takes you through the F4 visa process step by step. You'll start with the Form I-130 petition, then get to the immigrant visa interview, and finally to the day you enter the United States. Along the way, we'll cover the requirements, how long processing really takes, what the fees are right now, how priority dates work, and what happens once you're approved.
What is an F4 visa?
The F4 is a family-sponsored immigrant visa category for the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old. If you qualify, your spouse and children can usually be included in the case too.
In simple terms, what is F4 visa status? It is the fourth family-sponsored preference category. It is an F4 immigrant visa route to permanent residence for qualifying siblings of adult U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Department of State places F4 under the fourth family-sponsored preference. U.S. immigration law limits the number of visas available in this category each year.
F4 visa at a glance
To understand what the F4 visa is, take a look at this snapshot:
|
Question |
Answer |
|---|---|
|
Who can sponsor? |
A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old |
|
Who can be sponsored? |
A qualifying brother or sister |
|
Visa type |
Family-sponsored immigrant visa |
|
Leads to Green Card? |
Yes. An immigrant admitted through the F4 category enters as a lawful permanent resident. |
|
Is there a waiting list? |
Yes. F4 is subject to annual numerical limits and country-based allocation rules. |
|
Can spouse/children be included? |
Yes. A spouse and eligible children can generally receive derivative status. |
|
Is there a fixed processing time? |
No. The total time depends heavily on the priority date and Visa Bulletin. |
The Department of State's October 2026 Visa Bulletin1 lists F4 as a limited family-sponsored preference category. It also shows separate dates for different countries of chargeability.
Who is eligible for an F4 visa?
An F4 case starts with the relationship between the petitioner and the person seeking a visa. Your sibling, who is a U.S. citizen and planning to sponsor you, has to meet a few requirements before they can file for you. Also, the type of family relationship has to fit the definition of a qualifying sibling bond as per U.S. immigration law. One must also note that husband / wife and their issues may qualify as derivative applicants.
The U.S. citizen petitioner
The petitioner must be:
- A U.S. citizen;
- 21 or older.
An F4 petition for a sibling cannot be filed by someone who is already a Green Card holder. Understanding this distinction matters. Citizens or those who are lawful permanent residents can file petitions for their legal partners and issues. However, siblings are not included in the family-preference categories that are available to Green Card holders.
USCIS makes it clear that only a U.S. citizen who is at a minimum age of 21 years can bring a petition to the department for a brother or sister under the fourth preference category. The petitioner normally begins the case by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS.
The brother or sister
The sibling relationship must meet U.S. immigration law requirements. It is not enough to simply describe someone as a brother or sister.
Depending on the circumstances, a qualifying relationship can involve:
- biological siblings;
- adopted siblings;
- step-siblings;
- half-siblings.
USCIS guidance explains that siblings generally must have been children of at least one common parent under the immigration-law definition of child. A blood relationship is not required in every qualifying relationship. Adoption and qualifying step relationships can also matter.
The exact documents depend on the family relationship. Birth certificates are common evidence. Adoption records, marriage records involving a stepparent relationship, and other civil documents may be needed in other cases.
USCIS also explains that when an official document cannot be obtained, secondary evidence may sometimes be used with an explanation from the relevant civil authority.
Can a sibling’s spouse and children come too?
Yes. The spouse and eligible children of the principal F4 beneficiary may receive derivative status. They don't need their own F4 petitions from your U.S. citizen sibling. Only the principal beneficiary, which is you, gets the petition.
Your spouse and kids are covered under your case. They get the same status and the same place in line as you. It doesn't matter if they travel with you or come over later. The October 2026 Visa Bulletin backs this up.
What are the F4 visa requirements?
The main F4 visa requirements are easier to understand when separated into the petition stage and the visa stage.
|
Requirement |
What it means |
|---|---|
|
U.S. citizen petitioner |
The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. |
|
Age |
The petitioner must be at least 21 |
|
Sibling relationship |
The petitioner and beneficiary must have a qualifying sibling relationship under immigration law. |
|
Form I-130 |
The U.S. citizen files Form I-130 for the sibling. |
|
Supporting evidence |
Documents need to make clear the family relationship and other required facts. |
|
Visa availability |
An immigrant visa number must become available under the F4 preference category. |
|
Financial sponsorship |
The petitioner generally must submit Form I-864 and supporting financial evidence. |
|
Admissibility |
The beneficiary must be admissible to the United States or qualify for an applicable waiver. |
There is one distinction worth remembering: F4 eligibility is not immediate visa availability.
A person can have a valid sibling relationship. USCIS can approve the I-130. The applicant can still wait years before an immigrant visa number becomes available. The Department of State explains that preference categories are subject to numerical limits. Visa availability depends on the priority date, category, and country of chargeability.
How does the F4 visa process work?
The F4 visa application usually moves through the following stages.
Step 1: U.S. citizen files Form I-130
Your U.S. citizen sibling is the one who files. They send in Form I-130, as well as proof that the two of you are really related as brothers or sisters. USCIS takes the form online or on paper, though each route has its own filing rules. It is advised and is worth checking the instructions before you send anything.
Step 2: USCIS processes the petition
USCIS reviews the petition and supporting evidence. It may approve the petition, deny it, or request additional evidence.
Step 3: Priority date is established
The priority date is generally the date USCIS properly receives the I-130 petition. This date becomes extremely important in an F4 case. It determines the applicant's place in the preference queue.
Step 4: Wait for an F4 visa number to become available
This is usually the longest part. The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month. It provides dates for family-sponsored preference categories.
For October 2026, the F4 final action date for most countries was October 22, 2011. For India, it was December 15, 2006. For Mexico, it was April 22, 2001. For the Philippines, it was March 22, 2009. China-mainland-born applicants were also listed on October 22, 2011. This means an applicant's country of chargeability can make a major difference.
Step 5: NVC begins immigrant visa processing
The case can move to the National Visa Center (NVC) after USCIS approves the petition. Approval still does not mean the visa can immediately be issued. NVC explains that limited categories can remain pending until an immigrant visa number becomes available.
Step 6: Submit fees and documents
When the case becomes ready for processing, the applicant and petitioner submit the required fees, forms, financial evidence, and civil documents.
The principal applicant and each qualifying family member immigrating with them generally complete the required immigrant visa application process.
Step 7: Medical examination
The applicant and accompanying derivative family members must complete a medical examination with an authorized panel physician before the interview. The Department of State says the medical examination must be completed with an embassy-approved physician.
Step 8: Immigrant visa interview
The interview takes place at the U.S. embassy or consulate handling the immigrant visa case. The consular officer reviews the application, documents, and answers given during the interview.
Step 9: Visa decision
The officer may approve the visa, refuse it, or request additional documents or administrative processing. Administrative processing can add time after the interview. The Department of State says the length varies according to the individual case.
Step 10: Enter the United States
If the visa is issued, the principal applicant travels to the United States before or at the same time as accompanying derivative family members. Admission is still decided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.
Step 11: Become a permanent resident
Once admitted on the immigrant visa, the applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident. The immigrant visa is not a temporary F4 status. It is an immigrant visa issued under the F4 category and is used to enter the United States as a permanent resident. The Green Card is then produced and mailed after the required USCIS immigrant fee is paid.
How long does an F4 visa take?
There is no single F4 visa processing time for every applicant. The total period can include:
The backlog is the big factor. For F4 visa processing time by country, the October 2026 Visa Bulletin gives a useful snapshot. The F4 final action dates were:
|
Country/chargeability |
October 2026 F4 Final Action Date |
|---|---|
|
Most countries |
October 22, 2011 |
|
China-mainland born |
October 22, 2011 |
|
India |
December 15, 2006 |
|
Mexico |
April 22, 2001 |
|
Philippines |
March 22, 2005 |
These dates are not promises of a fixed waiting period. The Visa Bulletin can move forward or backward. The Department of State specifically notes that visa availability is monitored and that dates can change as demand and annual limits change.
NVC processing adds another layer after the priority date becomes current enough for processing. For example, the National Visa Center2 reported on September 21, 2026, that it was creating cases received from USCIS on September 1, 2026, and reviewing documents submitted on July 28, 2026. These figures change regularly.
For that reason, an article that promises a fixed number of months or years for every F4 applicant would be misleading.
How much does an F4 visa cost?
F4 visa fees come from several stages. As of the current fee information checked for October 2026:
$625 when filed online or $6753 for a paper filing under the USCIS fee schedule.
$3254 per person for immediate-relative and family-preference immigrant visa applications.
$120 when a domestic review fee applies. The Department of State says there is no AOS review fee when the I-130 and subsequent Affidavit of Support are filed outside the United States.
$2355 for people immigrating as lawful permanent residents, according to the current USCIS fee schedule.
There can also be medical examination costs, translations, civil-document fees, police certificates where required, travel costs, and other expenses. Fees can change, It is prudent to check the current USCIS and Department of State fee schedules before you pay.
F4 visa vs other family-based visas
Family-based immigrant visas cover several different relationships. The category in which a person falls depends on who is petitioning and how that person is related to the beneficiary. F4 applies specifically to siblings of adult U.S. citizens. The other preference categories cover spouses, children, or sons and daughters under different circumstances.
|
Visa category |
Family relationship |
|---|---|
|
F1 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens |
|
F2A |
Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents |
|
F2B |
Unmarried sons and daughters, 21 or older, of lawful permanent residents |
|
F3 |
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens |
|
F4 |
Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens |
The categories have different annual limits and Visa Bulletin dates. F4 is specifically the fourth preference category for siblings of adult U.S. citizens.
F4 visa interview
The F4 visa interview takes place at the U.S. embassy or consulate responsible for the immigrant visa case. Applicants should prepare their documents well before the appointment. Usually, documents can include:
- valid passport;
- interview appointment information;
- DS-260 confirmation;
- birth certificate;
- marriage certificate, if applicable;
- divorce or death certificates from previous marriages, where applicable;
- police certificates where required;
- medical examination results;
- financial sponsorship documents;
- evidence of the petitioner's U.S. citizenship;
- evidence establishing the sibling relationship;
- original or certified civil documents and required translations.
The Department of State specifically requires civil documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates in immigrant visa cases.
For applicants interviewing in Pakistan, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad publishes additional instructions. Its immigrant visa checklist has included the original birth certificate, English translation, passport, medical results, financial sponsorship documents, and evidence of the family relationship among the required materials. The exact checklist can change. Applicants should always follow the instructions for the embassy handling their case.
What happens after an F4 visa is approved?
The basic sequence is:
The immigrant visa itself is not a “temporary F4 status.” F4 is the preference category under which the immigrant visa is issued. Once the applicant is admitted to the United States on that immigrant visa, the applicant enters as a lawful permanent resident.
Before traveling, the applicant must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee unless an exemption applies. USCIS then produces the Permanent Resident Card. The Department of State also warns applicants not to make non-refundable travel arrangements or major life changes until the immigrant visa has actually been issued.
Staying connected with family during the F4 process
An F4 case can keep families a far for years. Calls, mobile expenses, and financial support still have to continue during that time. BOSS Revolution offers connectivity services that can help families stay in touch while an immigration case is moving through the system.
Mobile top-up is available across 95 countries and more than 280 mobile carriers. Families can use the website or app to send mobile airtime to a relative abroad. BOSS also offers scheduled top-ups, which can be useful when someone regularly helps a family member with phone expenses.
The BOSS Revolution app also brings international calling, mobile top-ups, and money transfers together. Calling rates vary by destination, and the website lets users check the applicable rate before making a call.
For families waiting on an F4 case, these services can handle some of the everyday needs that continue during a long immigration process. The visa petition may be pending, but staying connected with relatives does not have to stop.
Who qualifies for an F4 visa?
A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old can petition for a qualifying brother or sister. The sibling relationship must meet U.S. immigration law requirements.
What is the age limit for an F4 visa?
The U.S. citizen petitioner must be at least 21 years old. There is no equivalent age requirement for the sibling beneficiary.
Can a Green Card holder sponsor a sibling?
No. A lawful permanent resident cannot file an F4 sibling petition. The F4 category is available to U.S. citizens who are at least 21.
How long does an F4 visa take?
There is no fixed timeframe. The wait depends heavily on the priority date, country of chargeability, Visa Bulletin movement, I-130 processing, and later NVC and consular processing.
What is the F4 visa priority date?
The priority date is generally the date USCIS receives the properly filed I-130 petition. Applicants compare that date with the applicable Visa Bulletin date to determine visa availability.
Can my spouse and children come with me on an F4 visa?
Generally, yes. A qualifying spouse and eligible children can receive derivative status as accompanying or following-to-join family members.
How much does an F4 visa cost?
The main costs can include the I-130 filing fee, the $325 immigrant visa fee per applicant, applicable Affidavit of Support fees, the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee, and additional costs such as medical exams and document preparation.
Can an F4 visa applicant live in the U.S. while waiting?
An F4 petition does not itself give the beneficiary a right to live or work in the United States while waiting. The beneficiary normally remains outside the United States during the immigrant visa process unless they independently qualify for and maintain another lawful U.S. immigration status or have another legal basis to be present. An approved I-130 is a family immigration petition. It is not a temporary visa or a work permit.
Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of October 6, 2026
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/nvc-timeframes.html
- https://www.uscis.gov/i-130
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
- https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee
This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.
