US Clarifies Sibling Sponsorship Rules for Green Cards

The US government has clarified the rules surrounding family-based immigration, stating that a US citizen who is at least 21 years old can petition for a sibling to receive an immigrant visa and live permanently in the United States. According to the US Department of State, any foreign national seeking lawful permanent residency must first secure an immigrant visa, requiring a sponsor who is either a US citizen or a US Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) aged 21 or older.

The family-based immigration system is divided into two categories: immediate relatives of US citizens, which include spouses, children, and parents, and family preference visas for more distant relatives. Immediate relatives do not face annual caps on visas, while family preference visas are limited, resulting in longer wait times.

Notably, only US citizens aged 21 or older can file petitions for siblings, whereas green card holders can only petition for spouses or unmarried children. This means that Nigerians or other African nationals can only join siblings in the US if those siblings are US citizens.