I would think the length of time already spent outside the US might have an effect on a USCIS decision regarding a re-entry permit. Good luck on your quest.
How long have they been outside the US? Sounds like they might have already abandoned their Green Cards. Even returning could pose some risk of being sent before an immigration judge.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-july-2025.html
Final action date is 1 January 2008 for F4.
No. I would not muddy the waters further with another N-400. You seem to have already missed the oath multiple times after multiple N-400s already. I would just wait it out.
No. An F4 (sibling) can have derivatives.
Note: Immediate relatives of US citizens such as spouses and children (IR/CR cases), do require separate I-130s.
Make sure both of you go. Our officer wanted to see evidence of marriage and living together from date of I-751 submission to date of interview. Driver's licenses, leases, bank statements, and wife travel documents.
In our case, wife received an email from the local office only two days before her N-400 interview informing her that I was required to be there because it would be a combo interview. Luckily I had been preparing for a combo the entire time....and I was ready with required evidence. Officer wanted to see evidence of us living together from the day we submitted the I-751 until combo interview date.
That is an issue with certain CBP agents. They must endorse all immigrant visas. They are supposed to stop stamping visitor visas, but you are right. It is extremely important that they place a physical endorsement in an immigrant visa.
^^^^^ I also recommend this^^^^^ There are several factors which come into play when deciding things such as whether to file US taxes separately or jointly.
That would not apply to a spousal visa. It might apply to an adjustment of status case after entering on a B2, for example, since an I-130 would be filed. I have not seen that list in a few years. Thanks for sharing it.