Gavin Howe
If you are a US citizen, you can petition for your sister-in-law from the Philippines to come to the United States. However, it is important to note that the process can be lengthy and complex. The first step is to file a Form I-130 petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As of February 2023, the filing fee for this petition is $535, but there may be additional costs for things like medical examinations and travel. Once the petition is approved, your sister-in-law will receive a priority date and will be placed on a waiting list for a visa. The wait time for a visa can be extraordinarily long—at least 20 years for the Philippines—due to the high demand and per-country limits on this type of visa. During the waiting period, your sister-in-law may be able to visit the United States on a temporary basis with a B-2 tourist visa, which requires proof of strong ties to their home country and no intention of remaining in the US. To successfully complete the petition process, you must also submit proof of your relationship and be willing to financially support your sister-in-law once they enter the US. Given the complexity of the process, it is recommended to consult an immigration lawyer for guidance.
Petitioning for a sister-in-law from the Philippines
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can petition? | A US citizen who is 21 or older |
| Who can be petitioned? | Married or unmarried siblings of the petitioner |
| Sibling's spouse and children | May immigrate with the sibling |
| Married children of the sibling | Will not be eligible as a derivative |
| Sibling's children turning 21 | May become ineligible |
| Proof required | Proof of relationship, proof of financial support, proof of US citizenship |
| Costs | $535 filing fee, additional fees for documentation and medical examination, other costs such as travel and legal fees |
| Time taken | 20 years for the Philippines, 18 years for India, 22 years for Mexico, 15 years for other countries |
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What You'll Learn
- Only US citizens can petition for their sister-in-law
- The petitioner must be 21 years old or above
- The petitioner must be willing to financially support their sister-in-law
- The sister-in-law must not have any criminal record or certain medical conditions
- The general filing fee for an I-130 petition is $535
Only US citizens can petition for their sister-in-law
The process of immigrating a sibling to the US can be lengthy and complex. It is important to note that the sibling of a US citizen is in the family fourth preference (F4) category for immigration, which has a long waiting list due to the limited number of visas issued in this category each year. The wait time for a visa in this category is typically at least ten years for most countries, but it can be even longer for certain countries, including the Philippines. The current estimated wait time for the Philippines is 20 years, but it is important to note that actual wait times can vary significantly.
During the process, you will need to demonstrate that you are willing and able to financially support your sister-in-law once she enters the United States. This is typically done by submitting an Affidavit of Support. Additionally, your sister-in-law must not have any disqualifying factors, such as a criminal record or certain medical conditions, that would make her ineligible for a visa.
While your sister-in-law's spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age can be included in her petition, her married sons or daughters will need to follow a different route and will not be eligible as derivatives. It is recommended to consult an immigration lawyer for guidance on the specific requirements and processes involved in petitioning for a sister-in-law from the Philippines.
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The petitioner must be 21 years old or above
If you are looking to petition for your sister-in-law from the Philippines to come and live with you in the United States, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, only U.S. citizens are eligible to petition for their siblings, and they must be 21 years old or above. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to file an I-130 petition for their siblings.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need to file a Form I-130 petition, which will place your sister-in-law on the waiting list for a visa. Unfortunately, siblings of U.S. citizens are at the bottom of the family preference list in the family fourth preference (F4) category. This means that the waiting list for a visa is extremely long, with typical wait times of at least 10 years for people from most countries. However, due to per-country limits on this type of visa, applicants from the Philippines can expect even longer wait times, with estimates ranging from 20 to 25 years.
As the petitioner, you must be able to prove that you are willing and able to financially support your sister-in-law once she enters the United States. This is typically done by submitting an Affidavit of Support. Additionally, your sister-in-law must not have any disqualifying factors, such as a criminal record or certain medical conditions, that would make her ineligible for a visa.
To successfully complete the petition process, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A completed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- A copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your sister-in-law's birth certificate, showing that you have at least one common parent
- Evidence of your U.S. citizenship, such as a valid U.S. passport or a copy of your U.S. birth certificate
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The petitioner must be willing to financially support their sister-in-law
If you are a US citizen with a sister-in-law who is a native of the Philippines, you have the power to obtain a green card (lawful permanent residence) for her. However, you must be willing and able to financially support her in the United States. This means that she will not require any need-based government assistance.
To prove that you can financially support your sister-in-law, you will typically need to submit an Affidavit of Support. This requirement does not apply until your sister-in-law is applying for her immigrant visa or adjustment of status.
The process of petitioning your sister-in-law to come to the United States can be complex and time-consuming. It is important to note that permanent residents (green card holders) cannot file an I-130 petition for their siblings. Only US citizens, whether born or naturalized, are permitted to do so. Additionally, you must be 21 years of age or older to petition for a sibling.
The current wait times for siblings from the Philippines to obtain a visa are estimated to be around 20 years. This is due to the high demand and the limits on the number of visas issued in this category each year. The actual wait time can be significantly longer or shorter, depending on various factors.
It is recommended to consult with an immigration lawyer to guide you through the process and ensure that all the necessary requirements are met. They can help you prepare the required documentation, including the Affidavit of Support, and advise you on any potential issues or complications that may arise.
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The sister-in-law must not have any criminal record or certain medical conditions
If you are a US citizen, you can petition for your sister-in-law to come to the United States. However, for the petition to be successful, your sister-in-law must not have any criminal record or certain medical conditions.
US immigration authorities will carry out background checks to identify any criminal history or record. Even if your sister-in-law satisfies the criteria for a given category of visa, she may still be denied permission to travel to the US if she has been convicted of a criminal offence. This includes convictions that are considered 'spent' in other countries, such as the UK. US immigration law in this area is complex, and applications are subject to considerable discretion on the part of visa adjudicators. It is, therefore, advisable to seek professional advice to ensure your sister-in-law secures the required permission and avoids issues at the border.
Your sister-in-law will also need to undergo a medical examination and submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon. This form will provide evidence that your sister-in-law does not have any health conditions that would render her inadmissible under health-related grounds. Certain vaccinations are required, although as of March 11, 2025, COVID-19 is no longer one of them.
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The general filing fee for an I-130 petition is $535
As of February 2023, the general filing fee for an I-130 petition is $535. This fee is non-refundable, even if your petition is denied. The I-130 form is the first step in helping an eligible relative apply for a Green Card and immigrate to the United States. It is important to note that this form does not provide any immigration benefits or status to the beneficiary.
The I-130 form is used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to prove they have a family relationship with the beneficiary, who wishes to immigrate to the United States and obtain a Green Card. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old to file an I-130 petition for their sibling. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) cannot file an I-130 petition for their siblings.
The I-130 petition must be filed with supporting documents to prove the validity of the family relationship. These documents may include birth certificates, adoption decrees, and proof of U.S. citizenship. In addition to the filing fee, there may be other costs associated with the immigration process, such as travel expenses, medical examination fees, and legal fees.
It is worth noting that the cost of petitioning a relative varies depending on their location. If the relative is located in the U.S., the mandatory filing fees apply. However, if the relative is located abroad, additional expenses may include vaccination fees, document translation fees, shipping costs, and more.
The I-130 petition process can be complex, and it is recommended to consult an immigration lawyer for specific guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Only U.S. citizens can petition for siblings to migrate to the United States. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) cannot file a petition for their siblings. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, and must provide proof that they are willing and able to financially support their sibling-in-law once they enter the United States.
The current wait time for a sibling in the Philippines is 20 years. However, the actual wait time can be significantly more or less than this, as priority dates can shift every month.
In most cases, the beneficiary of a pending or approved immigrant visa will not be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa. However, they may be able to visit the U.S. on a temporary basis, such as with a B-2 tourist visa, if they can demonstrate strong ties to their home country and no intention of remaining in the U.S. beyond their visit.
As of February 2023, the general filing fee for an I-130 petition is $535. There may also be additional fees, such as those for obtaining required documentation or a medical examination, as well as other costs such as travel, relocation, or legal fees.
