Visto n' Visa

How many years can the F4 visa queue take?

The F4 category, for siblings of U.S. citizens, has long waiting times that can exceed 14 years, varying according to country and demand.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on September 28, 2025
2 min read
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In the context of United States Family Based visas, the F4 category is designated for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and it is known for having very high demand. This means that, unfortunately, waiting times can be quite long.

Currently, the wait times for the F4 queue can vary significantly and, in some cases, exceed 14 years, potentially reaching over 20 years depending on the country of origin and the number of pending applications. These estimates are based on the monthly reports from the Visa Bulletin, which assesses the availability of visa numbers for each category and country. Since the immigration scenario is constantly changing, it is important to follow these updates regularly.

Furthermore, many factors can influence this waiting time, such as changes in immigration policies, fluctuations in demand, and changes in applicable laws. Therefore, it is essential for interested parties to stay well informed and avoid relying on fixed numbers or promises guaranteeing exact timeframes.

It is always advisable to strictly follow United States immigration laws and seek reliable sources for updated information-whether through the official Department of State website or through immigration professionals. This way, you avoid falling victim to scams or marketing campaigns that promise miraculous and unrealistic results.

I hope this explanation has clarified your doubts about the waiting time in the F4 queue. Remember that the best strategy is always to stay well informed and guided by safe and reliable sources.

Learn more about Family Based

Type
Family-sponsored Green Card
Sponsor
U.S. citizen or LPR
Petition
Form I-130
Processing
12 months to several years
All about Family Based

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

How many years can the F4 visa queue take?

The F4 category, for siblings of U.S. citizens, has long waiting times that can exceed 14 years, varying according to country and demand.

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