sponsoring relatives

[long&kieu 1]

I've been trying to search, but couldn't find much,

Is there a write-up for sponsering for a relative or is it pretty much the same as doing one for my spouse??

How long does my wife have to be here before starting for her parents and siblings??

Thanks, Long.

[Anh map 2,098]

She has to be a citizen to petition for her parents. That petition will take about the same time as a spouse petition.

The faster way for her siblings to come is for the parents to petition once they are green cardholders. Though they must be unmarried.

If they are married then they can only be petitioned by a US citizen.

For her parents It will be 4+ years from now since your wife is not a GC holder yet.

Her siblings - much longer.

You can look at the current visa bulletin to get a sense of the wait times. >> http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5692.html

[long&kieu 1]

Thanks for the info Anh Map...

[quann 26]

i have a relative who petitioned his children over. the unmarried ones came 3 years earlier than the 2 married ones with children (although i'm not sure it's by choice or not).

i also have a friend who came over by marriage (now 9 years and have citizenship) trying to petition her sister over. if i remember correctly she said she has to wait 10 years. for now she's looking at a student visa for the sister.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

i have a relative who petitioned his children over. the unmarried ones came 3 years earlier than the 2 married ones with children (although i'm not sure it's by choice or not).

i also have a friend who came over by marriage (now 9 years and have citizenship) trying to petition her sister over. if i remember correctly she said she has to wait 10 years. for now she's looking at a student visa for the sister.

For all family preference visas the wait depends on the visa bulletin. Sometimes the cutoff dates advance quickly. Sometimes they advance slowly. Sometimes they move backwards. Family preference includes adult sons and daughters (F1 if they're not married, F3 if they're married), and brothers/sisters (F4). Parents are immediate relatives rather than family preference. They don't have to wait for their priority date to become current. They can apply for a visa as soon as the petition is approved and sent to the consulate, just like a spouse.

The current visa bulletin can be found here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html

The priority date is the date the petition is first accepted by USCIS.

[long&kieu 1]

but regardless...my wife can't do it with the 2 year green card, correct?? we have to wait until the 2 years are up and apply for the 10 year?? Thanks, Long.

[Anh map 2,098]

but regardless...my wife can't do it with the 2 year green card, correct?? we have to wait until the 2 years are up and apply for the 10 year?? Thanks, Long.

She has to be a US citizen, not a green card holder.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Anh Map is correct. Only a US citizen can petition for parents and siblings.