Many immigrants feel lonely in the United States without their families, so seeing a sibling again can be very exciting. Even though technology has made it easy to talk to people all over the world, there is nothing like being with someone in person. But there is one big problem: sponsoring a sibling can be complicated.
The basics of a family sponsorship
Petitioning a green card for a sibling is a type of family-based sponsorship where a relative is the beneficiary. The petitioner must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen to sponsor a family member. Moreover, the relative must be a spouse, child, parent, brother or sister with no applicable barriers to entry into the United States.
Major requirements for sibling green card
One crucial requirement from the U.S. government is the Affidavit of Support. It proves that the petitioner’s income is enough to financially support a sibling. This will prevent the sibling from having to seek financial aid from the government. Until the beneficiary sibling becomes a U.S. citizen or receives credit for 40 quarters of work, the petitioner will be responsible for their finances.
Petitioners must also provide proof of the relationship through birth certificates. Other documents may be necessary, such as their parents’ marriage or divorce certificates, evidence of a sibling’s name change, or an adoption decree.
Unfortunately, a petition for siblings is the lowest preference level among family-based sponsorships and can take longer than average. To avoid further delays, it is a good idea to apply for a green card early and examine the requirements carefully. It would be devastating to let a mistake stand in the way of seeing a sibling again.