How Long Does an F4 Immigration Visa Take in the U.S.?

The processing time for an F4 Family Preference Visa, which allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings for immigration, varies based on the applicant's country of origin and the availability of visa numbers.

Factors Affecting Processing Time:

1. Visa Bulletin Dates: F4 visas are subject to annual caps, and the U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that shows priority dates for each category and country.

2. Country of Origin: Applicants from countries like India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines often face longer wait times due to higher demand.

3. Priority Date: The date when the petition (Form I-130) was filed establishes the applicant’s place in line.

Estimated Wait Times:

• Global Average: Typically ranges between 13 to 15 years.

• India: Around 15+ years.

• Mexico: Around 20+ years.

• Philippines: Often exceeds 20 years.

Steps in the Process:

1. Petition Filing (Form I-130):

o The U.S. citizen files the petition with USCIS.

o Approval can take several months to a few years, depending on USCIS workload.

2. Waiting for Priority Date:

o After approval, the applicant must wait for their priority date to become current in the Visa Bulletin.

3. Visa Processing:

o Once the priority date is current, the National Visa Center (NVC) processes the application and schedules the visa interview.

o This stage typically takes 6–12 months.

Important Notes:

• Keep track of the Visa Bulletin regularly to monitor the progress of your priority date.

• Be prepared for documentation and financial sponsorship requirements during the final processing phase.

For an accurate timeline, check the latest Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State.