Sponsoring Sister (F4) Questions

[thinblueline 11]

I know I'm asking ahead of time (still have to attend my N400 Interview) but my 26 year old sister is hoping I can sponsor her for a green card once I receive my US Citizenship, and it has left me with more questions than answers (I have done everything so far without an attorney in my immigration process).

 

First, can I sponsor her for an F4 Visa (form I-130)? I know this is not a quick process, so is it really worth it for her?

 

Second, she is currently single (never married), should she get married after I-130 is filed, would that complicate things for her down the road? (She doesn't have plans to get married in the immediate future, but this process takes years)

 

Third, as she lives in Canada and close to the US Border, would day trips/vacations complicate things for her with a I-130 filed? Day trips are very common between the US and Canada. Travel between the US and Canada require little more than presenting your passport (or Nexus Card, which she has) at the border.

 

That being said, would she be better off coming in on a tourist visa (B2) and then requesting a AOS (form I-485)? Is the process any quicker or just as long as filing form I-130 with her in Canada? I figured she would not be allowed to leave the US while her application is pending.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Crazy Cat 41,865]

10 minutes ago, thinblueline said:

That being said, would she be better off coming in on a tourist visa (B2) and then requesting a AOS (form I-485)? Is the process any quicker or just as long as filing form I-130 with her in Canada? I figured she would not be allowed to leave the US while her application is pending.

A person can not enter the US via a B2 with the intent to stay and adjust status......that is visa fraud.....so that is not an option.

[thinblueline 11]

2 minutes ago, missileman said:

A person can not enter the US via a B2 with the intent to stay and adjust status......that is visa fraud.....so that is not an option.

Thank you, I did not know that, so that is not an option.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Yes it’s a long process - probably 15 years from now

whether it’s worth it is something only she can answer

 Marriage makes no difference 

she could only contemplate a 485 when her PD is current anyway in 15 years or so (and as above she can’t enter on b with that intent, maybe if she has a h visa etc )

no way to speed it up, everyone takes their place in line and waits... and waits... 

[aleful 1,905]

hi

 

aside that it is visa fraude, the petition, will take 14 years or more, who knows how long it will take in the end

 

you file the i130, and then forget about the petition, it will take years, a very long time for approval

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,865]

5 minutes ago, thinblueline said:

Thank you, I did not know that, so that is not an option.

Unfortunately, the immigration process is not fast for anyone these days.  and it requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money.....best wishes to you and your family....

Edited February 17, 2019 by missileman

[thinblueline 11]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

Unfortunately, the immigration process is not fast for anyone these days.  and it requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money.....best wishes to you and your family....

Thank you! She's been asking since I announced I received my N400 interview, and I thought I'd ask here first since I have received a lot of helpful information in my case. . . I'm willing to sponsor her, but with the time involved and different situation, I'm almost tempted to reefer her to an attorney in Canada specializing in US Immigration Law.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

 

an attorney will make no difference, that;'s how long the process will take, an attorney can't do anything about it, you file once you get your naturalization certificate, and after 14 or 15 years, who knows, she will get an immigrant visa.

 

very simple with family petitions

[geowrian 22,337]

The process for non-spousal family based immigration - assuming no edge cases, inadmissibilities, etc. - is pretty simple. It just takes a long time (~14+ years for Canada, currently).

It all begins with an I-130. That then waiting the ~14 years. There's no way to make that wait go any faster for a sibling petition.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

From a US perspective, a sibling is not considered enough of an immediate relative for a visa number be available right away. Unlike a spouse of a USC which you (the OP) used to get a green card. 

 

15 or so years for a sibling to get a green card. She can apply at the border to be admitted as a visitor, but no guarantees she'd be let in if CBP doesn't want her in. Forget the i485 for her. It's fraud to enter with a B2 to adjust status. 

 

So.. once you take the oath as a US citizen, you can petition her, and then wait. And wait. And wait some more!

[Boiler 45,519]

The 14 whatever years is how long people have been waiting who are getting their visa's now, the number being applied for has increased substantially so will the wait times.

 

File and forget, see if she interested in moving whenever that time comes due.

 

 

[NikLR 13,227]

It'd be faster to hook her up with one of your USC friends  LOL

[JFH 12,190]

Does she work in a field that would make her eligible for a TN visa? If so, she might want to do that for a while to see if she even likes living here. It’s not for everyone avd the grass isn’t always greener...especially considering how good Canadians have it with regards to healthcare and other social provisions. 

[nastra30 2,287]

There's a faster route for sibling. And the faster route is file I-130 plus wait 15+ years.

[Deanwinchester 11]

Yes I agree, somewhat, have her look for love in America. You can want to be a usc and still really love the American too. You just date people who are usc and know why it’s only Americans (but not only for a green card). 

There are other routes too. Working, studying, etc.