Immigrant Visas

An immigrant visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the United States to reside there permanently, whether or not that person plans to seek employment in the U.S. The filing of an immigrant visa petition is also the initial step required to receive a Permanent Resident Card (also known as a "green card"). An immigrant visa holder who successfully enters the U.S. with the intention to reside there will receive a Permanent Resident Card during the first year of residency. In most cases, you can only receive an immigrant visa if someone files an immigrant visa petition on your behalf. You cannot petition for your own immigrant visa.

U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas in four general categories:

● Immediate relatives,

● Family based,

● Employment based,

● Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the "green card" lottery).

This page also provides information about Fiancé(e) visas.

Most immigrant visa category petitions cannot be filed at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius. Employment-based, family based and fiancé(e) visa petitions must be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States.

IMPORTANT!

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued
immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant
Fee before traveling to the United States.  For more information please click here.

As of August 15th, 2011, according to the new USCIS regulations, petitioners residing in Lithuania will have to file I-130 Petitions for Alien Relative with the USCIS Chicago lockbox facility.

Please read the official announcement of the State Department concerning the changes to filing I-130 petitions overseas.

All lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) and U.S. citizens resident in the United States or with a permanent address in the United States must file immediate relative (or I-130) petitions at the USCIS service center in the United States having jurisdiction over their place of residence. (A list of service centers is included in the instructions with downloadable form I-130.)