F4 Category: 2026 Interview Processing Timeline for United States Immigration – First Consulting Group

With over 23 years of experience in immigration case consultation, First Consulting Group understands the biggest concerns when filing an F4 sibling petition: long waiting times, the risk of derivative children aging out, and constantly changing immigration regulations. This article outlines the step-by-step process for sponsoring siblings to immigrate to the United States based on the latest updates, helping you proactively track your case and optimize your family reunification opportunities.

F4 Category: Sponsoring Siblings for U.S. Immigration – Insights from First Consulting Group

U.S. citizens sponsoring siblings for permanent residence in the United States

The F4 category is an immigrant visa under the Family Preference group, allowing U.S. citizens to sponsor their brothers and sisters for lawful permanent residence. In addition to the principal beneficiary, this category also permits the beneficiary’s lawful spouse and unmarried children under 21 to immigrate together under the same petition.

Petitioner (U.S. Citizen)

In the F4 category, the petitioner must be a U.S. citizen; lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) are not eligible to sponsor siblings. The petitioner must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen (U.S. nationality), proven by a U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization
• Be residing lawfully in the United States
• Demonstrate sufficient financial ability to support the beneficiary as required by law

Beneficiaries and Derivative Family Members

Eligible beneficiaries may include:

• Biological siblings
• Half-siblings (same father or same mother)
• Step-siblings, provided the parents’ marriage took place before the child turned 18
• Adopted siblings, if the adoption was legally finalized before the age of 16

Derivative beneficiaries may include the principal beneficiary’s lawful spouse and unmarried children under 21.

All principal and derivative beneficiaries must meet health and security requirements and must not fall under any grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law.

What Is the Process and Required Documentation for an F4 Immigrant Visa?

Processing at USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The first stage focuses on establishing the legal relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. An F4 petition typically includes Form I-130, proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship, and documentation establishing the sibling relationship, such as birth certificates.

If a birth certificate is unavailable, alternative civil documents may be submitted and supplemented later.

After filing, the petitioner will receive a Receipt Notice (Receipt Number) to track the case status online. The processing time for Form I-130 can take several years and varies depending on each case.

NVC – National Visa Center

Once the petition is approved, the F4 case will be transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. F4 visas are subject to annual numerical limits and are issued based on priority date order, as shown in the Visa Bulletin. Applicants should regularly monitor the Visa Bulletin to determine when their priority date becomes current.

When the priority date is close to becoming current, the following steps are completed with the NVC:

• Step 1: Pay the Affidavit of Support fee ($120) and the Immigrant Visa (IV) fee ($325)
• Step 2: Submit Form DS-260
• Step 3: Submit Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and supporting financial documents
• Step 4: Upload required civil documents as requested
• Step 5: NVC reviews the file (typically 1–3 months if complete). If qualified, the case is marked “Documentarily Qualified.” The case will then wait for the priority date to become current (based on the Final Action Dates chart).
• Step 6: NVC schedules the visa interview when the priority date is current

Medical Examination, Vaccination, and Interview

Once the NVC confirms the case is Documentarily Qualified, the applicant enters the interview scheduling stage at the U.S. Consulate. When the priority date becomes current under the Final Action Dates chart, the applicant will receive an interview appointment notice.

Before the interview, the applicant and accompanying family members must complete a medical examination and required vaccinations at an authorized clinic.

If the interview is successful, the immigrant visa will be issued. Upon entry into the United States, the Green Card will be mailed to the registered U.S. address.

Fees for F4 Sibling Immigration Cases

Applicants should prepare for the following fees:

• Form I-130 filing fee with USCIS
• Immigrant visa fee and Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) processing fee at the NVC
• Fees related to the U.S. Consulate
• Costs incurred in Vietnam such as document translation, police certificates, and medical examination

The total cost for an F4 case typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,000 or more (depending on the number of applicants included in the petition).

How Long Does an F4 Petition Take? Insights from First Consulting Group

F4 is currently one of the longest-processing family-based immigration categories. For cases involving applicants from Vietnam, the process often takes over 18 years from the time Form I-130 is filed until the interview is scheduled.

Note: Processing times may vary depending on the agency handling the case and several other factors, including the applicant’s country of chargeability, case volume, completeness of documentation, policy changes, and other variables.

Why Does the F4 Category Take So Long?

F4 falls under the family-sponsored preference category with low priority and strict annual visa limits. Meanwhile, demand for sibling sponsorship within the Vietnamese community remains high due to strong family reunification traditions. As a result, visa backlogs extend for many years.

Tracking an F4 Immigration Case

Throughout the F4 process, applicants should regularly monitor both their case status and the Visa Bulletin to determine where their case stands and when it may become current.

1. Check Case Status

• • At USCIS: Use the Receipt Number to check the status of Form I-130 (approved or pending).
  • At NVC: Once the case is transferred, use the Case Number to log into the CEAC system and monitor progress.

2. Check the Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly, including two key charts:

• • Chart A – Final Action Dates: Determines when an interview can be scheduled and a visa issued.
  • Chart B – Dates for Filing: Indicates when applicants may submit documents to the NVC.

Applicants should select “Family-Sponsored Preferences,” choose the F4 category, and compare their Priority Date with the Cut-off Date listed in the corresponding chart to determine whether their case is current.

Latest F4 Interview Updates

According to the Visa Bulletin for February 2026, cases under “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” (which includes Vietnam) are currently being processed for priority dates of January 8, 2008. This means sibling petitions typically take more than 18 years from the date Form I-130 is filed to become eligible for interview scheduling.

Sponsoring siblings under F4 is a long-term process that can span many years and carries certain risks if not handled strategically from the beginning. Proper preparation and accurate guidance can help minimize issues and avoid unnecessary delays. Partnering with First Consulting Group ensures you receive professional support and proactive case management throughout your family’s immigration journey.

For more information, please contact:

• Garden Grove Office: (877) 348-7869
• San Jose Office: (408) 998-5555
• Houston Office: (832) 353-3535
• Vietnam Office: (028) 3516-2118

The information provided above is for reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized consultation and detailed guidance, please contact First Consulting Group directly.