The F4 visa is a fourth category family preference visa that allows U.S. citizens to bring their siblings and their families to the United States under an immigrant visa.
If you are interested in sponsoring your sibling for an F4 visa, call us on +1 844 290 6312. We can help assess your eligibility and guide you through the visa process.
What Is a Family Green Card?
A family-based green card is an immigrant visa that is issued based on a qualifying familial relationship that exists between a foreign national applicant and a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It is one of the most popular ways of obtaining permanent residency among other green card categories in the United States. Up to one-third of the over 1 million green cards issued annually goes to this category. It is divided into two groups – immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and the family preference.
How to Get a Family Green Card
A family-based green card is sponsored by a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary must prove that they have a qualifying familial relationship and that they meet all the eligibility criteria. Both of you will need to complete a series of forms and submit them with supporting evidence. These documents may vary depending on your category and location. Generally, the following items are usually required:
The Petitioner Will:
- File an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Submit proof of citizenship
- Submit the I-864, Affidavit of Support
- Submit biographic information
When can I expect my welcome letter from NVC?
You can expect your welcome letter between 30 and 60 days once your priority date gets current in visa bulletin chart B , But we have seen delays of up to 3-4 months. There are so many reasons for the delay in getting a welcome letter from NVC. You can call NVC or write an email at ASKNVC if you don’t receive your welcome letter after passing eight weeks.
What happens after NVC sends a welcome letter?
Once you receive the welcome letter from National Visa Centre, you can find the NVC Case number and invoice number. Then, you need to go online to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) to pay your fees and fill out the DS-260 application form.DS-260 is an important form and should be filed only by an attorney or paralegal.
How long does it take to get a green card after a welcome letter?
You have to pay the Visa fees and fill out the DS-260 correctly, and NVC will take 90-120 days to review it, and after that, you will get an email from NVC stating that your documents are qualified, and NVC will also mention your DQ Date. NVC will process the interviews according to DQ Dates.
How long is the F4 visa processing time?
The F4 Visa processing time is generally long. Depending upon your country, it could take anywhere between 18 and 25 years to get your visa processed.
What is F4 visa status?
As of May 2022, The priority date 2006 Jan is current for the F4 welcome letter in India, and Jan 2005 to March 2005 is for the US. Immigration Interviews. You can also find the current priority date in the visa bulletin.
Does NVC send a petition welcome letter?
Yes, The National Visa Centre will start creating your case for a welcome letter once your priority date becomes current in visa bulletin chart B.
How long does it take NVC to schedule interview 2020?
As of May 2022 , The National Visa Centre has started the F4 Visa Interviews for DQ Date Jan 2020 .For more information please contact NVC.
Can an F4 visa be denied?
Yes, If your sibling falls under any of the following grounds of inadmissibility, they will be denied an F4 Visa green card: Incorrect DS260, Criminal backgrounds. Security and espionage grounds, etc.
How long does the f41 visa take?
Depending on your country, it may take 18-25 years. This is because the F4 Category has limited visa numbers issued each year.
Why is F4 visa so slow?
The F4 Visa Category has a quota with limited numbers. In the last ten year, F4 Category filing has increased remarkably. The U.S. citizens sponsor their siblings under F4 Visa Category; thus, the waiting time is longer now. The total waiting time for F4 visas in India has increased by 18-22 years in the last five years, and it may increase up to 30 years in coming years. India, China, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam have higher waiting times because their US CITIZEN siblings sponsor more.
Is NVC scheduling interviews in 2022?
Yes, The National Visa Centre has started the interviews for all visa categories. Applicants with F4 Visa and CR-1 are getting more interviews appointment than other visa categories.
How do I know if my case is complete at NVC?
The National Visa Centre will send you an email mentioning that your documents are qualified and you have to wait according to your DQ Date.
Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2020?
This backlog is mainly due to the USCIS office closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the staff shortage in uscis.
How can I speed up my F4 visa?
The F4 Visa category is moving forward very slowly due to the limited number of visas issued each year. Currently, NVC is sending the interviews for Jan 2005 with DQ Date-Feb 2020 as of 13 May 2022.
How much does an F4 visa cost?
The filling I-130 petition for the F4 Visa Category USCIS fee is 535$ and 325$+120$ for filling your DS260 fee. The medical check-up fee depends on your country at the interview.
Why is NVC taking so long?
If the U.S. Consulate does not have any available slots for visa interview appointments, Your case will remain at the NVC until the visa appointments become available. Depending on the volume of visa cases waiting for interview availability, this could take an extended period.
How long does it take to get an interview after submitting documents to NVC 2022?
Well, it depends on your documentary qualified Date. The National Visa Centre will process the interviews according to DQ Date only.
How can I expedite my case at NVC?
The NVC will process the interview according to DQ Date , You have to wait if you have received the email from NVC saying that NVC has accepted your documents and your documentary qualified is mentioned in the email
How long does a case stay at NVC?
It depends on your visa category; if USCIS has sent your case to NVC after the approval, NVC will not take any action until your priority date becomes current in visa bulletin chart -B.
What happens after NVC approves documents?
Suppose NVC has approved your documents and issued a qualified documentary date. You have to wait until your priority date gets current in visa bulletin chart-A or your DQ Date is current for a visa interview.
FAQ
What questions are asked in an family based immigration interview?
- How and where did you meet?
- Where was your spouse living when you met?
- Who did he or she live with before you got married?
- When did your relationship become romantic?
- Who proposed between the two of you?
- Where and when did the proposal take place?
Can F4 visa be denied?
What are some of the questions they ask on a visa interview?
- What is the purpose of your visit to the US? …
- Have you been to the US before? …
- Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US? …
- Details on your friends / relatives in the US. …
- Where will you be residing in the United States?
How long does it take to process F4 visa?
F4 Visa Processing Time
Since the number of F4 visas that are issued every year is limited, the processing time is generally long. It could take anywhere between 1 and 10 years to get your visa processed.
