The F4 visa category is designed for siblings of U.S. citizens, allowing U.S. citizens to sponsor their brothers and sisters for lawful permanent residency. However, due to annual visa limits and high demand, the F4 visa process often takes years — sometimes even decades — to complete.
For most applicants, knowing how long the wait might be is one of the most stressful parts of the immigration journey. That’s where our F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator comes in handy.
This simple yet powerful online tool helps you instantly calculate the estimated waiting period between your priority date and the current visa bulletin date, giving you an easy-to-understand breakdown in years, months, and days.
Whether you’re tracking your family-based petition progress or planning your next immigration steps, this calculator provides quick and reliable insights — without the need for manual date counting or confusing time conversions.
F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator
What Is an F4 Visa?
The F4 visa falls under the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category. It allows U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to sponsor their siblings (brothers and sisters) living abroad to immigrate to the United States.
Each year, only a limited number of F4 visas are available, which means there’s often a long waiting period based on your priority date — the date when your Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) was filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Since the Visa Bulletin updates monthly, many applicants check it regularly to see if their priority date has become current. Until it does, you remain in the waiting phase — and that’s exactly what this calculator helps you measure.
How the F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator Works
Our F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator is a smart, browser-based tool that performs a simple but useful calculation. It compares two key dates:
- Priority Date – The date when your Form I-130 was officially received by USCIS.
- Current Visa Bulletin Date – The most recent date listed in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for the F4 category for your country of chargeability.
Once you enter both dates and click the “Calculate” button, the calculator instantly shows:
- Estimated Waiting Time: in years and months
- Total Days Difference: the precise number of days between the two dates
You can also click the “Reset” button to clear all fields and start a new calculation.
How to Use the F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator (Step-by-Step)
Using this tool is incredibly easy — no technical skills or math needed. Here’s how:
- Go to the F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator page.
- In the “Priority Date” field, select your I-130 petition date using the calendar picker.
- In the “Current Visa Bulletin Date” field, select the latest date from the U.S. Visa Bulletin for your category and country.
- Click the “Calculate” button.
- Instantly view your estimated waiting time in years, months, and total days.
- To start over, click “Reset” and enter new dates.
That’s it — your results appear in seconds!
Example of F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculation
Let’s look at a simple example to understand how this tool works in real life:
- Priority Date: March 10, 2010
- Current Visa Bulletin Date: October 10, 2025
After clicking “Calculate”, the tool might display:
- Estimated Waiting Time: 15 Years, 7 Months
- Total Days Difference: 5,745 Days
This means that the waiting time between your petition date and the current visa bulletin date is approximately 15 years and 7 months.
While this doesn’t predict when your case will be current, it helps you track how long you’ve been waiting — a key insight for understanding your immigration timeline.
Why This Calculator Is Useful
The F4 visa backlog can vary greatly based on your country of chargeability (for example, India, Mexico, or the Philippines often have longer queues). By knowing your waiting duration:
- You can track progress relative to past years.
- You can plan travel or document collection more efficiently.
- You gain a clearer idea of how close your priority date is to becoming current.
- You can discuss your case more accurately with an immigration attorney.
This calculator simplifies what used to be a tedious manual calculation into an instant, error-free experience.
Tips for Accurate Results
To ensure your F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator results are accurate:
- Always use the official Visa Bulletin date from the U.S. Department of State website.
- Double-check that your priority date matches the one on your USCIS I-797 Notice of Action.
- Remember that visa bulletin dates change monthly — it’s best to recalculate each month for the most current data.
- The calculator provides an estimate; actual waiting times depend on government processing and visa quotas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the F4 visa category?
The F4 visa allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings (and their spouses and children) for permanent residency in the U.S.
2. How long does the F4 visa process take?
It varies by country, but the waiting time can range from 15 to 25 years depending on visa backlog.
3. What is a priority date?
The priority date is the date when your I-130 petition was filed and accepted by USCIS.
4. What is the Visa Bulletin date?
It’s the date published monthly by the U.S. Department of State showing when green card applications can move forward.
5. How accurate is the F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator?
The calculator provides an estimated difference between two dates — accurate mathematically, but not predictive of future approvals.
6. Can I use this tool for other visa categories?
No, this version is specifically designed for the F4 visa category.
7. Do I need to install anything to use the calculator?
No, it’s an online web tool — works instantly on any device with internet access.
8. What does “current” mean in the Visa Bulletin?
When your priority date is earlier than the bulletin date, it means your visa is current and you can proceed with processing.
9. Can the waiting time decrease over time?
Yes, if visa movement speeds up in future bulletins, your remaining wait may shorten.
10. What happens if my priority date is later than the current bulletin date?
The calculator will alert you that your priority date cannot be later — meaning your case isn’t current yet.
11. Can I save or print my result?
You can screenshot or print the page after calculation for your records.
12. Does this calculator predict visa approval?
No, it only estimates time differences, not approval outcomes.
13. Is the calculator free to use?
Yes, it’s completely free and accessible to everyone.
14. How often should I check my waiting time?
Check it monthly, right after the new Visa Bulletin is released.
15. Can I use this tool for multiple family members?
Yes — just reset and re-enter different priority dates.
16. Is my personal data stored?
No, the tool runs entirely in your browser; no data is saved or sent anywhere.
17. What if the Visa Bulletin shows “C” (Current)?
That means visas are available — you can proceed with your next steps.
18. Do I need to enter the same country’s bulletin date?
Yes, always choose the date relevant to your country of chargeability.
19. Can I access this tool on my phone?
Yes, the calculator is mobile-friendly and works smoothly on smartphones.
20. Who should use this calculator?
Anyone tracking an F4 sibling petition — petitioners, beneficiaries, or immigration consultants.
Conclusion
The F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator is a simple yet valuable online resource for anyone navigating the U.S. family-based immigration process. By entering just two dates, you can instantly determine how long you’ve been waiting — expressed in years, months, and days.
Whether you’re an applicant planning your next move or a petitioner keeping tabs on your loved one’s case, this calculator saves time, eliminates confusion, and keeps you informed about your F4 visa journey.
Keep checking your Visa Bulletin monthly and use our F4 Visa Waiting Time Calculator regularly to stay updated on your path to U.S. residency.