Green card for my half brother, question 2

Question

Does anyone know how long it take to obtain a green card for a half brother, and how long once he got it it would take him to get his family members with him

Answer 1

Actually, Fred S already answered this question for you and his response was correct. If you are the person filing the petition, it will take a minimum of 11 years before the petition, in the F4 family preference category, and 22 if you are Filipino. However, the petition would also cover his wife and their children, including future children, which given the time frame is certainly possible. Check out the Visa Bulletin in the immigrant visa section at travel.state.gov and you can check on the time frame for yourself.    

Answer 2

This site can give you approximate wait times:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Process...

You'll need to file an I-130 for your brother.  They are just now finishing up the applications they got in April of 2001. (wow!  I guess they don't give very high priority to siblings.)  Once he is approved, he can apply for his family members in the same way.  Right now they're just finishing applications they got in January of 2005, so it seems like there is a 3.5 year wait.  I was wrong before about the V visa; it is no longer available.  His spouse and children can come to visit while waiting for the applications to be approved, but they should be prepared to prove that they do not intend to overstay their visit.  

This is a pretty terrible policy, if you ask me, and one that just begs for people to break the rules (or bend them.)  I suggest moving to Canada. :P