F4 visa processing time in India: Steps, costs, and tips

The American dream begins with family. For siblings hoping to reunite and live in the US, the F4 visa processing time in India can feel like a long wait, but it’s the path for US citizens to sponsor their siblings and bring families together.

Planning ahead helps you stay ready for each step. This guide walks you through the F4 visa process from India, outlines typical costs, and explains what to expect.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents
Understanding the F4 visa: What is it and who is eligible? How does the F4 visa process work from India: Step-by-step What is the typical F4 visa processing time in India How much does the F4 visa cost in India?

Understanding the F4 visa: What is it and who is eligible?

The F4 visa is the fourth family‑based immigrant category, specifically for siblings of US citizens. It leads to a Green Card, which is official proof of lawful permanent residence in the US.¹

A US citizen sponsor must file a petition for a brother or sister, and once approved, the beneficiary may move to the US and live there permanently.

Here are the key eligibility points for Indian applicants applying for the F4 visa:

• The sponsor must be a US citizen aged 21 or older. Green Card holders can’t sponsor siblings²
• The beneficiary must be the sponsor’s brother or sister
• Eligible sibling relationships include full siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings (if parents married before the child turned 18), and adopted siblings with proper documentation
• Dependents (the sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21) can be included on the petition

Note: For the F4 visa, US immigration law requires that the parents were legally married before the step-sibling turned 18 for the relationship to count.³ Otherwise, the sponsor can’t use that relationship to petition under the F4 category.

How does the F4 visa process work from India: Step-by-step

The F4 visa process from India follows a clear set of steps, but it still requires patience and careful planning. From the initial petition to the final interview, each step below moves you closer to lawful permanent residence in the US, with the option to become a US citizen later on.

Step 1: The US citizen sponsor files Form I-130

The first step begins with the US citizen sponsor filing Form I-130 to establish the sibling relationship. This form proves the qualifying sibling relationship using documents like birth certificates and, if applicable, marriage or adoption records.

The sponsor must be at least 21 years old and a US citizen. Filing the I-130 places the beneficiary in line for an F-4 visa but doesn’t yet grant any immigration status.

Step 2: Get a priority date.

Once the petition is filed, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (the agency that reviews family-based petitions) receives the Form I-130 and assigns a “priority date.”

This date marks your place in the queue for an F4 visa. You track this using the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the US Department of State (DOS).

Step 3: Wait for visa availability

F4 visas from India are limited each year, with about 65,000 visas available worldwide, plus any unused numbers from other family categories. A 7% per-country cap applies, which significantly affects India due to high demand.⁴

During this time, cases stay on hold until the priority date is “current.” Families usually use the wait to keep documents up to date, track the Visa Bulletin, and plan their finances and relocation.

Step 4: Submit documents to the National Visa Center

Once the priority date is current, the application moves to the National Visa Center (NVC), which collects fees, forms, and required documents before scheduling the embassy interview.

For F4 visa processing in India, this usually includes:

• Form DS-260 (immigrant visa application)
• Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with financial evidence
• Birth certificates for the sponsor and beneficiary
• Marriage certificate, if applicable
• Police clearance certificates
• Passport biographic page
• Court or adoption records, if relevant

The NVC reviews all submitted documents before moving the application forward.

Step 5: Schedule and complete biometrics and medical exam

After the NVC review, the beneficiary provides biometrics and completes a medical exam. Medical exams in India must be done at US embassy-approved clinics or hospitals, such as Rele Clinic (Mumbai), Max Med Centre (New Delhi), Apollo Hospitals (Chennai and Ahmedabad), and the Center for Migration Medicine (Hyderabad).⁵

The exam checks vaccinations and health conditions under US immigration rules. Results are sent directly to the embassy or provided in a sealed envelope, depending on instructions.

Step 6: Attend the visa interview

The immigrant visa interview takes place at the US Embassy or designated consulate in India, often in New Delhi or Mumbai. Applicants are typically asked:

• How are you related to your US sponsor?
• When did your sibling become a US citizen?
• Where will you live in the US?

Bring all your original documents to the interview. Missing or incorrect paperwork may delay your visa decision.

Step 7: Receive the visa and travel to the US

Once approved, the applicant receives an immigrant visa stamped in their passport. After entering the US, they become a lawful permanent resident. The physical Green Card is mailed to the US address provided, usually within a few weeks.

What is the typical F4 visa processing time in India

According to the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, the “Final Action Date” for F4 cases from India is November 1, 2006,⁶ meaning only priority dates before that are currently being processed. That puts the backlog at roughly up to 20 years or more for many Indian sibling petitions, with little forward movement in recent months.

The F4 visa processing time in India is long compared to many other Green Card categories because of tight annual limits and high demand. While waiting, keep your documents up to date and monitor the Visa Bulletin so you’re ready when your priority date becomes available.

How much does the F4 visa cost in India?

Here’s a breakdown of the main visa application fees for Indian applicants, covering required US government and consular charges, as well as local costs:⁷

• Form I‑130: $675
• Immigrant visa application fee (DS‑260): $325
• Affidavit of Support review fee (Form I‑864): $120
• USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235
• Medical exam and vaccinations: ~$100–$500

These lead to a total cost of around $1,400–$2,000 per applicant, not including police clearances, birth or marriage certificates, and document translations.

F4 visa process from India: Frequently asked questions

Can Green Card holders apply for an F4 visa?

No. Only a US citizen aged 21 or older can petition for a sibling under the F4 category. Green Card holders can’t sponsor their brothers or sisters for this visa.

For how long is the F4 visa valid?

Once issued, an F4 immigrant visa is generally valid for up to six months from the date of issuance. Applicants must use it before it expires to travel to the US and receive their permanent resident status.

Does the F4 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. The F4 visa is an immigrant visa. After entering the US with it, a beneficiary becomes a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) and can later pursue US citizenship if eligible.

Can interview appointment slots for F4 visas in India fill up?

Yes. Appointment availability for biometrics and the consular interview can be limited, and slots may fill quickly. This can delay scheduling, so applicants often need to check availability and book early once the NVC opens dates.

Can I track the “priority date” for F4 visa applications from India?

Yes. You can track when your priority date becomes eligible by following the monthly Visa Bulletin published on the DOS website. When your date is before the cutoff listed for India in the F4 category, you can proceed with processing.

Can a sibling apply for other visas while waiting for the F4 priority date?

Yes. A sibling can apply for non‑immigrant visas, like visitor or student visas, while waiting. However, having an active F4 petition may affect these approvals, since some visas require showing intent to return home. Applicants should demonstrate strong ties to India.

Counting the years, planning the move

Securing an F4 visa from India requires patience, but staying organized and planning ahead keeps you prepared for every step. Alongside preparing documents and covering visa fees, applicants should also consider moving costs and living expenses in the US.

With the Wise account you can have local account details in 10 currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP — all in one place.*

*Eligibility is subject to verification of customers' identity.

Get a Wise Account
in minutes 💰

Sources

1. USCIS - Green Card
2. USCIS - Conditions on sponsoring siblings
3. Foreign Affairs Manual - Conditions on sponsoring step-siblings
4. DOS - Visa Bulletin information
5. US Consulate General Mumbai - Approved panel physician sites for India
6. DOS - India visa bulletin
7. DOS - Government fees for visa services

Sources checked 03/09/2026