webster2007

I have been reading various threads re: siblings and have learnt that the timings for visa can be 12+ years.

Is this the same if I file for my sister in the UK? I know the timings are considerably shorter for my husband - just wondering if the same may apply for sister?

Cheers

BritishGuy36

I don't know why you are asking? You told us the answer yourself on the first line.

webster2007

So I'm asking for confirmation - not cheek!!

Duncan Roberts

I was confused as well. Why would her/his sibling be different to other peoples?

webster2007

Maybe because she's not rude.

Up til this point this forum has been very helpful - shame some people have to spoil it.

And the point is that the threads I have read all came from people filing for their siblings in the USA not UK - so the difference is location not person.

BritishGuy36

The location makes no difference, you don't jump the queue because you are filing in one place instead of the other.

And why would you file for a sibling anywhere other than the US? The sponsor has to either be in the US or move with the beneficiary to the US.

Duncan Roberts

Huh? I don't get what your asking. You started off by saying that visa processing for siblings was 12+ years. You then ask if it will be the same if you file for a visa for your sister in the UK. Are you asking about a UK visa or a US visa? The timeline is because of the number of visas available. Immigration via marriage is very different.

meauxna

sigh, why do you all get so combative?!

There are different classes of relatives that US citizens may sponsor (and all of this information is available at uscis.gov under Green Card through a Family Member).
The 'top' priority class is known as Immediate Relatives; there is no wait for a visa number for this class.. an unlimited number of them may enter the US every year.
Immediate Relatives are Parents, Spouses and Children under 21.

Every other relative is on a quota system; there are a finite number of visas available for them every year. Since more people apply than there are visa numbers available, the line/queue gets longer every year.

webster, please refer to the Visa Bulletin on travel.state.gov for more details.

BritishGuy, consider that she meant 'my sister (who is) in the UK'.

There are longer waits for applicants from Mexico, mainland China, India and the Philippines.

webster2007

I was only asking for the information you just gave - that it doesn't make any difference where you file.

I am a dual citizen due to move back to the US to teach high school next year. I saw that the forum was saying that filing for my husband whilst still in the UK is a faster process that in the US, so only wondering if same applied for sibling.

Did not infer anything into this question...and don't appreciate somebody trying to do so.

meauxna

If you review the instructions for filing I-130 in the UK, you'll see that it's only available for certain relatives--Immediate Relatives. So yes, you can file for your spouse overseas, but not your sibling. Those petitions go to a US Service Center.
It's not the petition processing time you need to be concerned with.. it wouldn't matter if your I-130 for her were approved today. There is no visa number available for her for whatever the wait is.. 12-15 years.

It *does* matter where you file, because if you file it in the UK, it will be denied or refused.

BritishGuy36

a) Difficult to understand why a question is being asked when it's already been answered by the person asking?

b) Apparently not! The question appears to now be "can I file in the UK for my sister", not "can I file for my sister who is in the UK".

webster2007

thanks meauxna - help without the cheek.

It's the teacher in me - I deal with lippy teenagers for a living and so the responses are now automatic!

cheers!

BritishGuy36

Ahhh to be a teenager again.....

Duncan Roberts

I think the fact that 3 people who answered th original post thought 2 different things, neither of which was what the OP meant proves a! Still not sure where the hostility came from though. Bad day I guess.

meauxna

And do you feel vindicated?

It's not a competition here; we are trying to help each other understand the lingo and the process better, not try to look clever.

When in doubt, ask questions nicely. Basically, your first post was correct, but everyone seems ready to be offended these days.

I miss my favorite coffee place (ultimately, Starbucks got them); their slogan was Good Coffee, No Backtalk.
Of course, you paid $4 a cup for the privledge.