What is an F-4 Visa?

An F-4 visa is a type of immigration visa for the siblings (brothers or sisters) of U.S. citizens. The U.S. citizen sponsor needs to be at least 21 years old and the foreign national sibling needs to be outside of the United States. This type of visa allows the sibling to come to the United States and apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence) once in the U.S.

To apply for an F-4 visa, the U.S. citizen sponsor must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of the sibling. Once the Form I-130 is approved, the sibling can then apply for an F-4 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Who Qualifies for F-4 Visa?

To qualify for an F-4 visa, the following criteria must be met:

1. The U.S. citizen sponsor must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
2. The foreign national sibling must be outside of the United States and must not have any other immigration status in the U.S.
3. The U.S. citizen sponsor must be able to demonstrate that they are the biological or adopted brother or sister of the foreign national sibling.
4. The U.S. citizen sponsor must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the sibling with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay the required fee.
5. Once the Form I-130 is approved, the foreign national sibling must apply for an F-4 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, and pay the required visa application fee.
6. The foreign national sibling must pass security and background checks, and must meet other visa requirements, such as providing proof of financial support and having no inadmissible factors.

How to Apply for F-4 Visa?

To apply for an F-4 visa, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Gather all necessary documents, including a valid passport, two passport-style photos, proof of financial support, and any other supporting documents required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. Your U.S. citizen sponsor must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on your behalf with the USCIS. They will also need to pay the appropriate fee.
3. Wait for the Form I-130 to be approved by the USCIS. This can take several months to several years, depending on the workload of the USCIS and the applicant’s country of origin.
4. Once the Form I-130 is approved, you will receive a notice from the National Visa Center (NVC) which provides instructions on how to pay the Affidavit of Support fee and the visa application fee.
5. Complete the online visa application (DS-260) and pay the visa application fee.
6. Schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. You will need to bring all original documents, including your Form I-130, to the interview.
7. Attend the interview and answer any questions the consular officer may have.
8. Wait for a decision on your visa application. If approved, you will be issued an F-4 visa, which will allow you to enter the U.S. as the sibling of a U.S. citizen.

What is the F-4 Visa Interview Process?

The F-4 visa interview process is for individuals who are seeking to enter the United States as a relative of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The process typically includes the following steps:

1. Submit a visa application: You will need to fill out an online application form, pay a fee, and submit any required documentation.
2. Schedule an interview: Once your application has been reviewed, you will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
3. Attend the interview: You will be required to bring certain documents to the interview, including a valid passport and the original copy of the Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) that was filed on your behalf by your relative in the U.S.
4. Wait for a decision: After the interview, the consular officer will review your application and make a decision on your visa. You will be notified of the decision by mail.

What are the Required Documents for F-4 Visa?

The required documents for an F-4 visa will vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case and the U.S. embassy or consulate where you are applying. However, generally, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. A valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.
2. Form DS-160: This is the online nonimmigrant visa application form.
3. Form I-130: This is the Petition for Alien Relative that was filed on your behalf by your relative in the United States.
4. Photograph: You will need to provide one passport-style photograph that meets the U.S. Department of State’s requirements.
5. Proof of relationship: You will need to provide evidence of your relationship to your relative in the United States, such as a birth certificate or family registration record.
6. Proof of financial support: You will need to provide evidence that your relative in the United States is able to financially support you while you are in the United States.
7. Proof of ties to your home country: You will need to provide evidence that you have ties to your home country that will encourage you to return after your stay in the United States.

What is the F-4 Visa Fee?

The fee for an F-4 visa application includes:

1. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative fee: This fee is currently $535 and is paid by your U.S. citizen sponsor when they file the Form I-130 on your behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. Affidavit of Support fee: This fee is currently $88 and is paid after the Form I-130 is approved.
3. Visa application fee: This fee is currently $325 and is paid when you schedule your visa interview. It’s important to note that this fee is non-refundable and must be paid even if your visa application is denied.

What is the F-4 Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for an F-4 visa can vary depending on several factors, including the workload of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply. Additionally, F-4 visa category is subject to quotas and has a long waiting time. Processing times can also fluctuate depending on how many people are applying for visas at the same time, and whether additional security checks are required.

Generally speaking, the processing time for an F-4 visa can take several years from start to finish. After the Form I-130, (Petition for Alien Relative) is filed with the USCIS, it can take several months to several years for the petition to be approved. Once the Form I-130 is approved, it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) where the visa application process will continue. It can take several months to several years for the NVC to process the case and for the visa application to be processed and for a decision to be made on your application.

F-4 Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the F-4 visa:

1. Who is eligible for an F-4 visa?
   A: An F-4 visa is for individuals who are seeking to enter the United States as a relative of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
2. How long does it take to process an F-4 visa?
   A: The processing time for an F-4 visa can vary depending on the workload of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you are applying. It’s best to check with the specific embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information on processing times.
3. Can I work with an F-4 visa?
   A: F-4 visa holders are not authorized to work in the United States, but they can study.
4. Can I bring my dependents with me on an F-4 visa?
   A: Yes, you can bring your dependents (spouse and children under 21) with you to the United States on an F-4 visa. They will need to apply for an F-4 dependent visa.
5. Can I apply for permanent residence while on an F-4 visa?
   A: Yes, you can apply for permanent residence while in the United States on an F-4 visa. However, it is important to note that this process can take several years and it does not guarantee that you will be approved for permanent residence.
6. Is there an age limit for F-4 visa applicants?
   A: There is no specific age limit for F-4 visa applicants. However, consular officers may take into consideration the applicant’s age and their ability to support themselves in the U.S.