How long it takes?

[Newyorker2021 21]

I am a US Citizen and want to bring my brother to the US. How long it takes these days? I am originally from Pakistan. Only respond if you have been through the process or if you have information. 

 

Thanks

[appleblossom 2,803]

7 minutes ago, Newyorker2021 said:

I am a US Citizen and want to bring my brother to the US. How long it takes these days? I am originally from Pakistan. Only respond if you have been through the process or if you have information. 

 

Thanks

 

20+ years as a rough estimate. 

 

 

[Newyorker2021 21]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

20+ years as a rough estimate. 

 

 

So it's useless to even apply?

[appleblossom 2,803]

3 minutes ago, Newyorker2021 said:

So it's useless to even apply?

 

No, it gets him in the line for a visa. But it's a long wait, so if he has another route to a visa, he'd be better off trying another way as well (I'd still suggest you file for him, just as back up). 

 

File for him asap, then keep an occasional eye on the Visa Bulletin to see which filing date is eligible for visas. As you can see from this months, those that applied 17.5 years ago are now able to get visas, but that timeline is increasing as more people apply. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-december-2024.html

 

And of course, there's a good chance Trump will try and end that visa category, so another reason to apply asap - it may be that those who've already applied are safe if he does, and only new applicants will be at risk. 

Edited December 15 by appleblossom

[Newyorker2021 21]

23 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

20+ years as a rough estimate. 

 

 

According to the website, it's 9.5 years at the moment. Please don't share incorrect info online! Thanks

20 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

No, it gets him in the line for a visa. But it's a long wait, so if he has another route to a visa, he'd be better off trying another way (although I'd still suggest you file for him, just as back up). 

 

File for him asap, then keep an occasional eye on the Visa Bulletin to see which filing date is eligible for visas. As you can see from this months, those that applied 17.5 years ago are now able to get visas, but that timeline is increasing all the day as more people apply. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-december-2024.html

 

And of course, there's a good chance Trump will try and end that visa category, so another reason to apply asap - it may be that those who've already applied are safe if he does, and only new applicants will be at risk. 

Trump can't do (removed)He is not above the law! 

Edited December 15 by Ontarkie
by-passing language filter

[appleblossom 2,803]

Just now, Newyorker2021 said:

According to the website, it's 9.5 years at the moment. Please don't share incorrect info online! Thanks

 

Which website? It's wrong!

[Newyorker2021 21]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

Which website? It's wrong!

USCIS official website. I have always used it and it usually takes way less time than what the processing time shows according to data on their website.

[appleblossom 2,803]

Just now, Newyorker2021 said:

USCIS official website. I have always used it and it usually takes way less time than what the processing time shows according to data on their website.

 

That's only for the I-130 processing time then, so just the first step in the process. After that comes applying for a visa, and that cannot be done until the Priority Date is current on the Visa Bulletin, as you can see from that, those that applied 17.5 years ago are only just now eligible to apply for a visa. 

 

[Boiler 45,733]

By the time a newly filed F4 would be currently Trump would be 100 and change.

 

Now I am not a Doctor but would be very surprised.if he lived that long.

 

Comprehensive Immigration Reform has been talked about for as long as I can remember and nothing has happened 

 

File and check in 20 years, see how it is going.

[Newyorker2021 21]

2 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

That's only for the I-130 processing time then, so just the first step in the process. After that comes applying for a visa, and that cannot be done until the Priority Date is current on the Visa Bulletin, as you can see from that, those that applied 17.5 years ago are only just now eligible to apply for a visa. 

 

Any other option to bring siblings?

Just now, Boiler said:

By the time a newly filed F4 would be currently Trump would be 100 and change.

 

Now I am not a Doctor but would be very surprised.if he lived that long.

 

Comprehensive Immigration Reform has been talked about for as long as I can remember and nothing has happened 

 

File and check in 20 years, see how it is going.

I don't even know if I am gonna be alive in 20 years and I am in my 30s lol

[Boiler 45,733]

Just now, Newyorker2021 said:

Any other option to bring siblings?

Marriage preferably to a USC

[appleblossom 2,803]

Just now, Newyorker2021 said:

Any other option to bring siblings?

 

Not through you. He can look at other visa options though i.e. employment based, EB-5 investment visa, or perhaps there is another family member that could petition him and it would be quicker (i.e. a parent)??

[Newyorker2021 21]

Just now, Boiler said:

Marriage preferably to a USC

hm but isn't it unfair. I live alone and want my family around me. Shouldn't take decades. Sadly, we follow the legal path and suffer. So sad

[Newyorker2021 21]

2 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Not through you. He can look at other visa options though i.e. employment based, EB-5 investment visa, or perhaps there is another family member that could petition him and it would be quicker (i.e. a parent)??

We don't have parents anymore.

[appleblossom 2,803]

2 minutes ago, Newyorker2021 said:

hm but isn't it unfair. I live alone and want my family around me. Shouldn't take decades. Sadly, we follow the legal path and suffer. So sad

 

No other country that I can think of allows relatives like siblings to be petitioned for a visa, so at least it's an option in the US, albeit one with a big wait. 

 

I'd just file asap, and then get him to try and find other routes over, maybe employment based if he has specialist skills (and if he doesn't now, he could work towards it and it may still be quicker than you sponsoring him).

 

Best of luck.