As a US Permanent Resident can I apply for my brother to live in the US also?

Question

I am a permanent resident of the US, and have been for over 5 years, I am now elligable to apply for my US Citizenship, but just have not got around to it yet.
My brother who lives in the UK (where I am originally from) is wanting my husband and I to sponsor him, so he too can apply for residency here.
I know I am able to apply for Father, Mother, Brother, Sister.. but am not sure if I have to be a US citizen before I can apply for them to live here, with permanent residency??

Anybody know anything on this...??

Additional Details

Okay, so if it takes 12 yrs for all that...
is there any other way that he can stay he for a longer period of time.
He has just been granted a tourist visa for 6 mths with the option to extend to 12 mths... other than this.. is there anything else he can apply for.. that wont take 20 yrs to get!!!!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

As a legal permanent resident, you can only sponsor your spouse and unmarried children, whether they are minors or adults. Once you become a citizen, you can sponsor your other relatives, including your brother, but as has been pointed out, that takes quite a while to accomplish. If you filed for your parents after you became a citizen, those petitions would be valid immediately once approved, as under US immigration law, they fall into a higher category, immediate relatives.

Answer 2

Yes, ones you become a citizen you can apply.


Your husband can not sponsor him.


You need first to become a U.S Citizen. At this time can take anything from 180 days to 2 years.

After that you can apply for your brother.


The problem is that the waiting time right now for brothers and sisters of U.S Citizens is 12 years.


Total around 15 years for your brother to move to the U.S with a green card.


Welcome to the wonderful world of American Immigration system

Answer 3

You need to be a citizen first, but I warn you that the government only gives out a certain number of each kind of visa a year. Sibling sponsorship takes almost 12 years now. You'd have to become a citizen, then sponsor him and get it approved, then the visa will become available in about 12 years.

It sucks.