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Other close family members of U.S. citizen: Brothers and Sisters

This category includes the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. To apply for a green card for his or her brother or
sister, the U.S. citizen must be 21 years of age or older. Furthermore, to qualify as a brother or sister of a U.S.
citizen, both the brother or sister and the U.S. citizen must have been children of the same parent.

Immediate family members of the brother or sister may also apply for a green card with the brother or sister of a
U.S. citizen at the same time. The annual visa allotment available for this preference is 65,000, plus any visas not
used by the first three preferences. Please see "Visa Bulletin" for the latest information on usage of the visa
quota.

There are two scenarios for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens to apply for immigration:

The first scenario is that the alien brother or sister is already in the United States in a nonimmigrant
status. In this case, the U.S. citizen may only file an immigration petition (Form I-130) for the brother or sister.
The brother or sister has to wait for the immigrant visa number to become current before he or she may apply to
adjust to permanent resident (Form I-485). During this waiting period, the brother or sister needs to
independently maintain a valid nonimmigrant status.

The second scenario is that the brother or sister is outside the United States. In this case, the U.S. citizen
needs to file an immigration petition and request that the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (formerly
Immigration & Naturalization Service) notify a U.S. Consulate in the country where the brother or sister lives.
Once the immigration petition is approved and an immigrant visa is available, the National Visa Center of the U.S.
State Department sends a forms and information package, "Packet 3", to the U.S. citizen. After the necessary
forms are completed, the brother or sister goes to the U.S. Consulate overseas to apply for an immigrant visa. On
the day that the brother or sister enters the United States on an immigrant visa, he or she becomes a U.S.
permanent resident.

What Kinds of Supporting Documents are needed for the Petition?

The documents needed for the immigration petition (Form I-130) are as follows:
1.

Copy of the U.S. citizen's Birth Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship;

2.

The U.S. citizen's birth certificate showing the name of both parents; and

3.

The bother or sister's birth certificate showing the name of both parents.

The documents needed for an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) are as follows:
1.

Two recent identical color photos of the brother or sister;

2.

Medical exam report I-693 and supplement of the brother or sister (sealed);

3.

Evidence of financial condition of the brother or sister if he or she has a job:

--- Job letter on business letterhead;
--- W-2 forms for past three years;

4.

Evidence of financial support for the brother or sister:

--- The sponsor's employment verification letter on business letterhead;
--- The sponsor's W-2 forms for past three years;

5.

Copy of the brother or sister's passport, visas, and I-94;

6.

Documents showing the brother or sister's legal status after coming to the U.S., such as child's I-797, I20, IAP-66, where applicable; and

7.

Birth certificate.

What kind of information is needed for preparing the petition?

The information sheet for the immigration petition (I-130) to be filled out by the U.S. citizen is as follows:
1.

Last Name ________________ First Name ________________ Middle Name ____________

2.

Address:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

3.

Place of Birth (town or city) ______________________ (country) _____________________

4.

Date of Birth ________________

5.

Male ___ Female ___

6.

Marital Status ___ (married) ___ (single) ___ (widowed ) ___ (divorced)

7.

Other names used (including maiden name) ______________________________________

8.

Date and place of present marriage, if married (date) _______________________________

(place) ___________________________________________________________________

9.

Social security number _______________________ A#, if any _______________________

10.

Names of prior husbands/wives _______________________________________________

Dates marriages ended _____________________________________________________

11.

Has your brother or sister ever been in the U.S.? ___ yes ___ no

12.

If your brother or sister is currently in the U.S., complete the following:

He or she last arrived as a _________________________ (visitor, student, without inspection, stowaway, etc.)
I-94 number ____________________________ Date arrived _______________________
Date authorized stay expired, or will expire ______________________________________

13.

Name and address of present employer, if any

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Date this employment began __________________________________________________

14.

Has your brother or sister ever been under immigration proceedings? ___ yes ___ no
If yes, where ______________________________________ when __________________

15.

List husband/wife and all children of your brother or sister:

Name

Relationship

Date of Birth

Country of Birth

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
16.

Address in the U.S. where your brother or sister intends to live:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

17.

Your brother or sister's address abroad (in English)

_________________________________________________________________________

18.

Your brother or sister's name (in his/her native language) __________________________________

Your brother or sister's address abroad (in his/her native language)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

19.

Have you ever filed a petition for this or any other alien before? ___ yes ___ no
If yes, give name, place and date of filing, and result

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
The information sheet for adjustment of status application (I-485) to be filled out by the alien brother or sister is
as follows:
1.

Last Name ________________ First Name ________________ Middle Name ___________

2.

Date of birth __________________________ Country of birth _______________________

3.

Social security number _______________________ A#, if any _______________________

4.

Date of last arrival _____________________ I-94# _______________________________

5.

Current INS status _____________________ Expires on ___________________________

6.

City/town/village of birth _____________________________________________________

7.

Current occupation _________________________________________________________

8.

Your mother's first name _________________ Your father's first name ________________

9.

Place of last entry into the U.S. (city) _________________________ (state) ____________

10.

Were you inspected by a U.S. immigration officer? ___ yes ___ no

11.

In what status did you last enter? ________________________________

12.

Nonimmigrant visa number ______________________________________

13.

Consulate where visa was issued ________________________________

14.

Date visa was issued __________________________________________

15.

Male ___ Female ___

16.

Marital status: ___ married ___ single ___ widowed ___ divorced

17.

Have you ever applied for permanent resident status in the U.S.? ___ yes ___ no
If yes, (date of filing) ______________ (place of filing) ______________ (result) ________

18.

List your present husband/wife, and all sons and daughters:

Name

Date of Birth

Country of Birth

Relationship

A#

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
19.

List your present and past membership in or affiliation with every political organization, association, fund,
foundation, party, club, society or similar group in the U.S. or in any other place since your 16th birthday. Include
any foreign military service in this part. Include name of the organization, location, dates of membership, and the
nature of the organization.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Biographic information to be filled out for the brother or sister is as follows:

1.

Family Name ________________ First Name ________________ Middle Name __________

Write Your Name in Your Native Language _______________________________________

2.

Male ______ Female ______

3.

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy) _____________________

4.

Nationality ________________________________

5.

File Number A______________________________

6.

All Other Names Used (including names by previous marriages) _______________________

7.

City and Country of Birth _____________________________________________________

8.

Social Security Number (if any) ________________________________________________

9.

Information About Your Father:

Family Name ________________ First Name _______________ Date of Birth ___________
City and Country of Birth _____________________________________________________
City and Country of Residence _________________________________________________

10.

Information About Your Mother:

Family Name ________________ First Name _______________ Date of Birth ___________

City and Country of Birth _____________________________________________________

City and Country of Residence _________________________________________________
11.

Information About Your Husband or Wife (if married):

Family Name (For wife, give maiden name) _______________ First Name _______________
Date of Birth ______________________ City and Country of Birth ____________________
Date of Marriage ______________________ Place of Marriage _______________________

12.

Information About Former Husbands or Wives (if any):

Family Name (For wife, give maiden name) _______________ First Name _______________
Date of Birth ___________________ Date and Place of Marriage _____________________
Date and Place of Termination of Marriage _______________________________________

13.

Your Residence During the Last Five Years. List Present Address First:
(1). Street and Number ______________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To present time;
(2). Street and Number ______________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To (mm/yy) ______________;
(3). Street and Number ______________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To (mm/yy) ______________;
(4). Street and Number ______________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To (mm/yy) ______________;
(5). Street and Number ______________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To (mm/yy) ______________;

14.

Your Last Address Outside the United States of More Than One Year:
Street and Number _________________________________________________________
City _______________________ Province or State ___________ Country _____________
From (mm/yy) ______________ To (mm/yy) ______________

15.

Your Employment During the Last Five Years (if any). List Present Employment First:
(1). Full Name and Address of Employer _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To present time;
(2). Full Name and Address of Employer _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To (mm/yy) ____________;
(3). Full Name and Address of Employer _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To (mm/yy) ____________;
(4). Full Name and Address of Employer _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To (mm/yy) ____________;
(5). Full Name and Address of Employer _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To (mm/yy) ____________;

16.

Your Last Occupation Abroad if Not Shown Above:

Full Name and Address of Employer _____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Occupation __________________ From (mm/yy) ____________ To (mm/yy) ____________.