Brother / Sister
The U.S. citizen of 21
years of age or older can apply for green card for his brothers
and sisters. To qualify as a brother or sister of a U.S. citizen,
the brother or sister and the U.S. citizen must share at least
one parent in common.
The number of permanent
residents in this category is limited to 65,000 per year, plus
any visas not used by the first three preferences. The State
Department's Visa
Bulletin shows the current wait times for a visa
by category.
Immediate family members
of the brother or sister (such as their spouse and children)
may also receive a green card at the same time.
Application
Procedure if Inside the United States
The U.S. citizen should
file an immigrant petition (called an I-130) on behalf of a
brother or sister. The brother or sister must wait for
the immigrant visa number to become current before he or she
may apply to adjust to permanent resident (I-485). During
this waiting period, the brother or sister must maintain valid
nonimmigrant status if they are already in the US .
Application
Procedure if Outside of the United States
If the brother or sister
is outside of the United States , the U.S. citizen should file
an I-130 immigrant petition. The petition should request
that the Immigration Service notify the U.S. Consulate in the
country where the brother or sister lives. Once the USCIS
approves the immigrant petition and an immigrant visa is available,
the National Visa Center of the U.S. State Department sends
“Packet 3” to the U.S. citizen. After the necessary forms
are completed, the brother or sister goes to the U.S. Consulate
overseas to apply for an immigrant visa. The brother or
sister becomes a U.S. permanent resident when he or she enters
the United States on an immigrant visa.
