I am 21 years old and I live (temporary) with a Student visa (F1) and I have been living here for the past 10 years (other visas). My sister was born here and she's five. If I can get it through a relative, how would I? Does my dad have to get a green card first and then I get it through him?
Anonymous
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Once your sister is 21 she can sponsor you. Then it will take another 11-12 years until you will get a greencard. Your dad, however - as long as he is legally in the US - has no such wait time. But your dad also has to wait until your sister is 21 years.
Also your sister has to earn 125% above the poverty level for the family size which includes everybody she sponsors. So if she isn't making any money at 21 she can't sponsor anybody until she does.
Getting a degree and getting a work visa is probably more realistic.
Anonymous
It takes over ten years to get a sibling visa, so don't expect to be able to stay in the US while you get it.
And if you are on a student visa, what visa is your dad on? How did you get a student visa if your sister was born in the country five years ago?
Anonymous
Er, yes and no. Any siblings who are US citizens may petition for you to get a Green Card, but only if they're over 21. Waiting the 16 years for your sister to come off age is not a practical option, I imagine. (The same applies if your parents wanted to get a Green Card through their daughter).
pianojangee
When your sister becomes 21 years of age, she can file Petition for you. Once her petition is approved, you will get Priority Date. When your PD becomes before the cut off date according to monthly Visa Bulletin, you can apply immigrant visa or green card.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f63da6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f63da6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Currently waiting time for PD for the siblings of US Citizen is from 11 years to 15 years (if you are Mexico citizen) or 23 years (if you are Philippines citizen) in addition to waiting for 18 years until your sister becomes 21 years of age.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5603.html
Anonymous
Your looking at least at 26 years before you would get a greencard through your sister. If you are from outside Europe your looking at 30-40 years.