The DV lottery winner gets unconditional LPR status for him/herself and also eligible children. However, people will often wonder how they can bring other family members. That is where Family based immigration comes in.
As an LPR (Green Card Holder)
An LPR can petition immediately for:-
- Spouse
- Unmarried son or daughter
A spouse or a child under 21 years old would be in the F2A category, whilst an unmarried child 21 or over would be in the F2B category. There are waiting periods for these visas and the process is lengthier than the DV process. So – the LPR should anticipate around a 2 year process to obtain a Green Card for a new spouse or child under 21, longer if the child is over 21. Check the latest visa bulletin to see category preference dates.
After gaining citizenship
After 5 years (3 if married to a US citizen) an LPR can apply for citizenship. Doing so opens up more possibilities for sponsoring family members. A citizen can petition for:-
- Spouse
- Son or daughter
- Parent
- Brother or sister
A citizen can sponsor an “immediate relative” (spouse, unmarried child under 21, and parents, if the citizen is over 21) with no waiting period. For other relatives, the relative would be placed in line according to the following categories.
- Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens – (F1 around 7 years wait, more for Mexico and Philipines)
- Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens – (F3 – currently around 11 year wait)
- Brothers and sisters – (F4 – currently around 12 year wait)
Be sure to check the visa bulletin to confirm these timelines – as these are approximate timelines at this time.
November 7, 2022 at 16:20
hi simon, hope you are doing well, can you please help me find the gov.site that says it takes 12 years to bring siblings
November 12, 2022 at 15:44
The visa bulletin has the waiting times for each category. The dates change, but right now category F4 (siblings of citizens) is back to 2007 – so 15 years…
August 2, 2021 at 21:30
Am a gr
Hi sir
My husband is a green card holder for just 4months now.Can he file in for me and 2 minor children
August 4, 2021 at 04:45
I don’t know anything about your circumstances, and I only answer DV lottery questions.
November 18, 2020 at 18:47
Hi Brit
I am a green card holder and I’ve been living USA for one year now.
Can I apply visit visa for my parents?
Can I apply visit visa for my brothers or their children?
How long it will take ?
Thank you
November 18, 2020 at 19:39
Your status doesn’t affect their visa applications. They apply for themselves, not you.
September 28, 2020 at 07:27
What about someone who won the DV got married after his Visa was issued with 4kids out of wedlock.can he go and file in for her and the kids
September 28, 2020 at 18:42
Please don’t try and involve me in your attempt at fraud.
September 28, 2020 at 07:23
Thanks sir for your quick response
September 27, 2020 at 06:02
Hi Brit
My husband won the DV lottery included us but still the form came as single so now he is going to US as a single mean while we are married for 4yrs,2children.my question is can he use our 4yrs married certificate to file for me and my kids
Thanks
September 27, 2020 at 14:35
So he committed fraud to obtain his Greencard, so no he can’t file for you because that reveals his fraud.
February 4, 2020 at 06:39
Hi Brit,
Im green card holder and my wife is syrian.
Is she under travel ban or no.
And how long it takes for her to get green card.
February 4, 2020 at 18:00
I only advise on DV lottery cases.
February 4, 2020 at 21:23
Can you advice me of a lawyer to help me in the issue
February 4, 2020 at 21:43
I’m sorry, no.
January 10, 2020 at 12:52
Hi Brit and everyone, I hope this finds you well. I participated in the DV2021 program and patiently waiting for the results. I have been reading the articles/questions/answers on this blog quite extensively, and have noticed a trend which is quite worrying. I would appeal to all participants, although this may not sit well with others, that please let us all be patient and read the articles here. Most of the questions asked have already been answered in other areas. It only takes a matter of minutes and discipline to find them. For instance, on this particular blog post, the question of sponsoring spouse/sibling was already answered. Re-asking/submitting questions to which there are already answers, which require only a few minutes of reading, is a bit nuisance at least in my opinion. Brit I believe works full time and yet spends considerable amount of time attending to us. Let’s value his time, experience and knowledge, and research before we ask questions. Thank you.
January 10, 2020 at 18:17
Yeah – that trend is my reality…
October 16, 2019 at 20:46
Hello Simon,
Thank you for your efforts. My CN is 2020AF14***. I haven’t received the documents submission e-mail yet. I e-mailed KCC asking about that matter, their response was that they are still processing the DS260 which I submitted that in May 17th and got confirmed. Do you think it is a bit late or not to be worried? thanks a lot
October 17, 2019 at 03:34
Nothing to worry about.
October 13, 2019 at 06:20
Hi Brit
First of all thank u gor ur blog..it is really very useful.. I am the lottery winner & me amd my spose got visa together…after arriving US
1. can my husband sponser to his brother in law?
2. Will my husband live as my dependant or can he also lives as a green card holder means can he allow to apply for the US citizenship?
October 13, 2019 at 15:20
1. Explain what you mean to avoid confusion.
2. He will have his own GC and after 5 years can apply for citizenship – same as you.
October 16, 2019 at 15:09
Can my husband sponser to his sister after getting us citizenship?
October 17, 2019 at 03:22
Yes – it takes a LONG time.
October 17, 2019 at 04:29
Thank you
March 27, 2019 at 09:34
Good evening. i went to the usa after winning dv lotery and i will soon be 10 years old since i went to the usa. I would like to know if I can sponsor my little brother. thank you
March 27, 2019 at 14:30
Read the article.
November 29, 2018 at 03:20
Hey simon,
After getting green card if i married the girl from my own country nepal than how much time it takes for her to get greencar??
November 29, 2018 at 04:27
Around 2 years
November 29, 2018 at 16:06
Thanyou simon
Today i received email from kcc which asked me to submit police report , passport biodata page and police repot..
My question is that within how many days i should submit my these documents to kcc??
Can you help me in this case ??
November 29, 2018 at 17:30
It varies. Just follow their instructions.
November 18, 2018 at 02:08
Hey simon,
I got visa for 2019 dv,, I am not married yet .. I want to take my spouse after marriage how long it would take me for the processing and in between theses can my spouse can visit to usa in visiting visa??
November 18, 2018 at 15:07
It will take about 2 years. During that time your spouse cannot visit the USA.
November 3, 2018 at 00:00
Hi brit,
knowing that my brother already made a petition for me, my question is if I win DV Lottery for this year, should cancel the previous petition ?
November 3, 2018 at 04:09
No need. You can have two petitions running at the same time.
October 16, 2018 at 19:33
Hello Sir:
I arrived to US in September 2017(now I have a green card), and I live in CA. till September 2018 I was receiving all the welfare from government. I didn’t have job. But in October 2018 I got a new job and my annual income is/will be $50000. We are 4 people in house. One of my friend asked me to be sponsor for his mother’s case. My friend is a US citizen. And he needs a sponsor for his mother’s case. I haven’t done any tax return yet. So can I be his mother’s sponsor?
Thanks
October 17, 2018 at 02:46
I doubt it – but I only answer DV lottery questions.
October 13, 2018 at 13:16
hello brit
My cousin went to the USA SINCE 2008, it’s been 10 years he went, I would like to know if he can sponsor me when he will be 12 years old in the USA in 2020
October 13, 2018 at 14:40
Of course not.
October 7, 2018 at 04:25
Hi Bret,thanks to your blog I got to be one of the winners of dv 2018
Keep up the good job
August 5, 2018 at 17:35
Hi. I have a green card. How can i bring my parents for a short visit to the US? How long would it take?
August 5, 2018 at 18:06
Your status has nothing to do with their non immigrant visa (NIV). They need to follow whatever NIV process they would normally follow.
July 28, 2018 at 15:23
Hi dear
Please I would like to know how will it take my wife who won dv lottery now in US and has her green card to file for me the husband and children under 21years?
Thanks
July 28, 2018 at 20:22
Around 2 years. During that time she will have to maintain a job with sufficient income to sponsor you all.
June 26, 2018 at 17:28
Dear Mrs. Simon,
If I get a permanent green card through the dv lottery then how can I bring my girlfriend along and our five year old twin?
June 26, 2018 at 19:22
Were the children were on the original entry?
If yes – then you should marry asap and process as a family.
June 28, 2018 at 12:15
Thank you!
May 4, 2018 at 13:24
Hi Brit,i am a 2018 dv lottery winner,do i need to go to my interview with any supporting document from my sponsor in the US to show that they are sponsoring me?
May 4, 2018 at 17:12
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
December 31, 2017 at 19:29
BritSimon Hi.
My Sister recently become a US citizen,DV2008 winner. She’s planning on petitioning for our parents to bring them over to the US.
I know it’d be technically out of the DV category but do you reckon we’d stand a chance of getting to the US if our parents ended up petitioning for my other siblings?
December 31, 2017 at 19:50
I don’t know any more than you can find out yourself.
November 14, 2017 at 23:02
Hi Brit, My brother just won the DV lottery. I am his only brother (we’re Irish) from reading the above am I correct in saying that it will take him 5 years to become a citizen and then he can sponsor me but the waiting list is 12 years for me (his brother) to be allowed sponsorship?
November 15, 2017 at 18:14
Yes – based current waiting times. Also – chain migration is something the Republicans want to reduce – so that 12 years might become never. Enter DV2019.
August 17, 2017 at 10:58
Hi sir it’s been a long time, and I’m happy to be back. I have been in the US for a year now, and I want bring my girlfriend over, but I don’t know how to go about it. Please I need help and how long does it take for the process to be complete.
August 17, 2017 at 20:58
You have to marry her and then sponsor her – it will take about 2 years.
August 17, 2017 at 08:14
Hi Brit I won I Dv lottery 6 years a go I’m going to apply for citizenship this year..can I bring my sisters and my brothers in US?
August 17, 2017 at 08:49
You can start the process once you are a citizen – but the current waiting time for siblings is around 12 years.
June 29, 2017 at 11:33
Hi Brit,
my father got accepted in the DV program with me and my mother,
sadly I was ineligible to get a gc cuz I aged out
They both have green cards now
How long does it take for them to sponsor me assuming I am still unmarried?
Thnx a lot
June 29, 2017 at 13:34
You fall into the F2B category which currently has a waiting period of around 6 years.
May 7, 2017 at 17:25
Hi brit.
I’ve been selected for DV 2018. I heard that in SOME cases citizenship can be issued not after 5 years of living in the US but after 3 years. Is this true ? And if true,can I bring my parents to the US after 3 years?
Thanks
May 7, 2017 at 17:33
DV cases will be on a 5 year citizenship path.
May 3, 2017 at 06:08
Hi, I am 19 years old, and I won the DV lottery. Can I sponsor my parents and 5 year old brother?
May 3, 2017 at 06:15
Nope. Well sort of. It will take a long time.
Once you have lived in the USA for 5 years you could become a citizen. Then you could sponsor your parents and once they get their Green Cards your brother would also.
April 25, 2017 at 04:04
Trying but Cant really figure it out. if any help i will appreciate it. thanks
April 25, 2017 at 00:35
Hello Simon
I am a DV Winner and in the United State, please how can i pay for my Green Card on USCIS website, what is the form Number and what is the fees(amount) to be paid. Thanks for your continue cooperation
April 25, 2017 at 03:28
Follow the instructions given by the embassy.
March 8, 2017 at 15:47
Hi Brit.Our sponsor definetely can not sponsor us because of the annual income which is lower.I do not have anybody else in USA to do me an affidavit.Is there any other way for me to find a sponsor online maybe or how to provide self financial support(i think i read since we are husband and wife we should have 5000$ each for person to leave) without any sponsor?
March 8, 2017 at 15:50
You need to show at least $10,000 each. You can’t find a sponsor online because the person should be someone who knows you, why would a stranger take responsibility for you??
January 18, 2017 at 22:53
Hi Simon,
Hope this will find you in a good time. My dad received his GC (which he got via the dvlottery) couple days ago. Now we want to start the process for me. I’m his son, I’m over 21 and am unmarried so I will go into the queue with Second Preference (2B) status, but I’m currently in USA with an F1 student visa (in OPT status to be exact). So far I learned from my research that he needs to fill the form i-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and pay a $535 fee and since I’m already in the U.S. I need to fill the form i-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and pay a $1,140.
What I don’t understand is why do I need to apply for it too? If I wouldn’t have been here I wouldn’t have to pay that fee. This made me think that maybe they will issue a GC for me without putting me into the 5-6 years queue. I couldn’t find anything related to this on the internet so far. Do you think (or do you know if) they will process my file immediately after I submit it? If not, what is the purpose of this form and why is it putting me in a worse spot than someone residing outside the US?
Thanks!
January 18, 2017 at 23:30
I don’t advise on any cases other than DV lottery.
January 9, 2017 at 12:40
Hello simon
thank you for providing us such as a good topic,i have some question.as you told to obtain a G.C take around 3 to 4 months.after getting G.C your martial status can change.
1.is it possible that you can directly sponsor your wife after those 4 months or you have to wait gaining citizenship(5 years)
2.how long will it take to sponsor your wife or mother
3.what are document required for you wife and mother
4.in sponsoring wife or mother are you required some amount on saving account,how much
January 9, 2017 at 14:29
1. That is answered in the article.
2. Around 2 years for spouse. Mother is immediate once you are a citizen.
3. THat is a whole process that I don’t advise on…
4. Yes, you have to be able to support them through your USA income.
January 9, 2017 at 15:45
2.what does it mean by once your citizen.having a green card or after gaining citizenship(after 5 years)
January 9, 2017 at 15:53
Citizen = citizenship (the clue is in the name). So – that is 5 years.
June 7, 2016 at 07:20
hi brit,
how long for processing document for my husband if i am a greencard holder?
June 7, 2016 at 14:16
About 2 years.
May 23, 2016 at 02:30
Hello Brit
My mother has submited the case to the emigration office six month ago for my brother to get him in Usa .At this time he is not yet 21 old but i dont know how long this process will take because in the February 25,2017 he get 21 age.
Thank you.
May 23, 2016 at 02:32
I don’t advise on that type of case.
March 19, 2016 at 01:15
Hello brit,
If i am US citizen, can i apply green card for my parents now? if yes, what time does it take to get them GC? and once they have their gc they can immidiately petition for their child under 21(i.e. my sister or brother)according to your post. So it takes the same time for my brother or sister (under 21) and my parents to get gc by this way. am i right?
March 19, 2016 at 03:03
You can petition yourparents. That is fast, but them petitioning for their other children will take about 2 years.
January 22, 2016 at 08:06
HOW TO CHECK VB FOR CURRENT TYMLINES?? PLZ GIVE THE LINK
January 22, 2016 at 17:48
Google visa bulletin!
January 1, 2016 at 18:32
you ve indicated after 11 years for bro, is it after 11 years of green card or citizenship ?
January 1, 2016 at 19:14
The 11 years was the F3 category – which is citizens. But check the VB for current timelines….
November 24, 2015 at 07:48
What about married brother?
November 24, 2015 at 15:51
Only once you are a citizen (5 years) and then that would take a long time as the waiting period for that class is about 12 years.
November 10, 2015 at 14:51
Hello Brian.
My mother in USA is completing the A130 form for her son who is in Albania.In this form is the tenth topic which request the Alien Registration Number.Is this number same with our personal number in Albania.Have a good day,
November 10, 2015 at 15:19
No, it is a number she would have from the USA immigration.
June 29, 2015 at 05:53
Hello Simon
That means I cant take my mother for 5 years?
June 29, 2015 at 05:54
Yes.
February 12, 2015 at 20:39
will the embassy notify me of my interview day
February 12, 2015 at 20:50
KCC email you and tell you to check the ESC site. There your selected letter is replaced by an appointment letter.
October 6, 2018 at 23:39
Hi Brit, I am 2018 winner got my visa and am in US now it’s almost two weeks from my arrival yet not got SSN . Is it different from state to state? How long usually it takes? Do we I have to pay for green card fee? If yes how to pay where to pay?
October 7, 2018 at 01:10
The SSN usually arrives in 2 to 3 weeks. If not, go to the SSA office.
Yes you pay for the GC – $220 per person. The embassy gave you instructions about that – so follow the instructions.