Family preference · April 2026
How long does F4 take for China (mainland-born)?
Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
Estimated wait · April 2026 bulletin
Approximately 17.9 years
Cutoff date for F4 China (mainland-born): May 15, 2008 (Dates for Filing chart)
This is the visa-availability backlog only — it does not include USCIS processing time on the underlying petition (I-130), which adds 6 to 14 months on top.
Final Action Dates
May 15, 2008
When the green card can be issued
Dates for Filing
May 15, 2008
When Form I-485 may be submitted
What this wait actually means
For April 2026, the F4 Dates for Filing cutoff for China (mainland-born) is May 15, 2008 — roughly 17.9 years behind today's date. This is one of the most backlogged green card lines in the system. A new applicant should plan for a wait that may exceed 15 years, sometimes spanning two decades. Many applicants file knowing they will not see a green card until their children are nearly grown.
The full timeline, step by step
- Petition filed. The U.S. citizen or LPR sponsor files Form I-130 for the relative. USCIS issues a receipt with the priority date — the day they received the form.
- USCIS processes the petition. I-130 adjudication typically takes 6 to 14 months.
- Wait for visa number. Wait for your priority date to become current. Right now that wait is approximately 17.9 years for F4 China (mainland-born).
- File the green card application. If your relative lives outside the United States, the case will go through the National Visa Center and finish at a U.S. consulate (consular processing). If your relative is already inside the United States in valid status and a green card number is available, they may instead file Form I-485 to adjust status without leaving the country.
- Interview and decision. Most green card cases include an in-person interview at a USCIS field office (for adjustment of status) or a U.S. consulate abroad (for consular processing). After approval, the green card arrives by mail within a few weeks.
What you can do right now
- File the underlying petition as early as possible. The priority date locks in on the day USCIS or DOL receives the form, so any delay on your end pushes back the entire timeline.
- Track your priority date against the monthly Visa Bulletin. Set a reminder on the second Tuesday of each month, when the State Department releases the next bulletin.
- Maintain valid status if you are inside the United States. Letting nonimmigrant status lapse can complicate or block adjustment of status later.
- Keep a clean immigration record. New criminal issues, prolonged absences abroad, or unauthorized employment can derail an otherwise straightforward case.
Why these waits exist at all
Congress sets the annual cap at roughly 226,000 family preference visas and 140,000 employment-based visas. No single country may receive more than 7% of either pool — the per-country cap. When demand from a single country exceeds 7% of the worldwide total in a given category, a backlog forms. China (mainland-born) consistently exceeds its 7% share, which is why China (mainland-born)-born applicants face longer waits than worldwide applicants.
F4 wait time in other countries
China (mainland-born) wait times in other family categories
Frequently asked questions
How long does F4 take for China (mainland-born) in 2026?
Based on the April 2026 Visa Bulletin, the F4 cutoff for China (mainland-born) is May 15, 2008. That puts the current backlog at approximately 17.9 years. A new applicant filing today should expect that long before the priority date becomes current, plus several months for USCIS processing.
What is my priority date for F4?
Your priority date is the date USCIS receives your Form I-130 petition. USCIS prints this date on the Form I-797 Notice of Action receipt. You measure your progress against the Visa Bulletin every month using this date.
Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for F4?
Only if you have a separate work authorization. Sitting in the green card line does not by itself give you the right to work in the United States. Many family-based applicants who are abroad have no U.S. work authorization until the green card itself is issued. If you live in the U.S. and have a current priority date, you can file Form I-485 with a Form I-765 EAD application.
Can the wait time get worse?
Yes. The Visa Bulletin can retrogress — meaning the cutoff date moves backward — if more applicants become eligible than visas remain available in a given fiscal year. Retrogression is most common between July and September. The wait estimate on this page assumes today's cutoff stays the same; in practice it can shorten or lengthen month to month.
Do I keep my place in line if I move or change jobs?
Yes for moves — your priority date is locked once USCIS receives your I-130. If your sponsor passes away or revokes the petition, special rules may allow the case to continue.
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
The Visa Bulletin publishes two charts each month. The Final Action Dates chart tells you when USCIS or a consular officer can actually approve your green card — your priority date must be earlier than this cutoff. The Dates for Filing chart is earlier and lets you submit Form I-485 sooner if USCIS allows it for the month. For April 2026, USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for family adjustment filings.
See the raw data
Want the full Visa Bulletin chart for F4 China (mainland-born), including the historical pattern? Visit F4 China (mainland-born) on the Visa Bulletin page.
Sources & Citations
All claims in this guide link to primary government sources.
- 1Visa Bulletin for April 2026— U.S. Department of State
- 2
- 3USCIS Case Processing Times— USCIS
Not legal advice. Wait time estimates are derived from the official April 2026 Visa Bulletin and assume current cutoffs hold. The Visa Bulletin can retrogress without warning. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.