How to file an immigrant visa petition for a brother or sister

The Department of Homeland Security has delegated authority to Consular officers to approve petitions for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who have their principal residence in the Netherlands and have maintained that residence for at least six months or more. 

If you have non-American siblings you can file an I-130 immediate relative petition for them with the Consulate General in Amsterdam.  The approved petition will put your sibling in the family based 4th preference category (F4*).  You will have to prepare and bring the following:

• Form I-130 immediate relative petition: one for each brother or sister wishing to immigrate to the U.S.  Please fill out the form as completely as you can.  The Consulate will assist you where necessary, when you come in to file.;
• Copy and original of your birth certificate and your sibling's birth certificate;**
• Copy and original of Dutch residence permit(s). If dual national bring both U.S. and Dutch passports;
• Copy and original of your passport and your sibling's passport. Copy of Military ID card and orders stationing you in The Netherlands, if applicable.  If you do not have a U.S. passport, bring also a copy and original of your U.S. birth certificate;
• Translations: original and copy of sworn translations into English of all documents not in Dutch or English;
• The appropriate filing fee;
• You must come in and file in person during the immigration service opening hours. An appointment is not necessary.;
• Your sibling is most welcome to accompany petitioner but it is not a strict requirement, as long as you bring all original documents.  Beneficaries over 21 do not necessarily have to reside in the Netherlands.

The Consular officer will initially accept the petition but cannnot approve until the petitioner has been screened by the DHS, a law enforcement agency, as required by the provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act ("Adam Walsh Act"), Pub. L. No 109-248, amended section of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

*The Consulate will accept and approve your petition but forward it to the National Visa Center in the United States for storage until it's filing -aka- priority date has become current for visa processing.  The F4 category is limited by law as to how many immigrants can receive their visa each year.  Oversubscription has led to a very long wait (currently more than 10 years). 

**Dutch birth certificates are available in international versions from the 'Dienst van de burgerlijke stand', the Civil Registry Office, and most often have a letter A in the right hand top corner.