Consulate General of the United States Jerusalem

After analyzing the large number of incoming emails we receive (we average more than 1,000 messages every month), we are providing this automatic response to answer the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive.   

I have sent multiple inquiries, but have not gotten a response.  Why?

Our hard-working Immigrant Visa Unit receives thousands of inquiries every month.  However, experience has shown some applicants, send multiple e-mails or send a faxes, all asking the same question or a variation of that question.  Regrettably, we do not have a separate unit dedicated specifically to the hundreds of emails and faxes we receive every month; the staff who answer your inquiries are also responsible for processing the thousands of Immigrant Visa applications we receive every year.  Thus, in order to serve applicants faster, we simply cannot continue to respond to inquiries requesting confirmation of receipt of documents or faxes.  In addition, we hope that this list of FAQs will empower you with specific answers to commonly asked questions.  We will truly attempt to answer every legitimate question not covered by these FAQs, and do so as quickly as possible.

To improve response times, ALL email inquiries are REQUIRED to include the following information in the SUBJECT LINE of the message:  CASE NUMBER, BENEFICIARY’S FULL NAME  (i.e.  JRS2005205905, John Doe)    

I am a friend of the applicant and have sent an inquiry, but have not gotten a response.  Why?

We are prohibited under the Privacy Act and INA 222(f) from providing information about specific visa applications to third parties.  The applicant, petitioner or lawyer (with a complete G28 on file) are the only parties who will receive such a response.

I sent an inquiry asking when my interview would be scheduled and have not received a response.  Why?

We will make every effort to schedule your appointment at the earliest possible date.  As soon as it is scheduled, we will contact you by postal mail. 

As an American, how can I file an immigrant petition for my spouse or child or parent?

Information on filing a petition is available at our website at Step 1 - Petition.  Americans can only file at our Post if they have been continuously resident in our Consular District for the previous six months (at a minimum), and are present in a permanent status (not on a student or tourist visa).  Americans who do not meet these requirements must file through a USCIS service center in the United States.  Visit http://www.uscis.gov for more information.

A wealth of information on issues such as "domicile," "ineligibilities" and more is available at: Immigrant Visa for a Spouse (IR1 or CR1).

How long does it take between filing the petition and visa issuance?

Generally, it takes about six months between petition filing and the visa interview.  We cannot predict how long it might take between visa interview and issuance, as every case is unique.  Cases can take between one week and several years.  We assure you that we will do everything we can to process your case as quickly as we can (you are important to us), but applicants should not make travel plans or commitments prior to having the immigrant visa in hand.

Once visas are ready for issuance, the Consulate General will request applicants’ passports.  Due to administrative procedures and U.S. regulations, there is no way to predict the exact timeframe required to complete the visa issuance process.  We appreciate your patience.

Where is the Consular Section located?  How can I contact you?

The best way to contact us is by email.  We are located at 14 David Flusser in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem.  Our mailing address is P.O.Box 290, Jerusalem 91002.  Additional contact information is available at: http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/contact_us4.html

Where can I get more information about Immigrant Visas and the NVC?

You can learn more about immigrant visas and the National Visa Center, at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1309.html

For information about the interview process, please visit our website at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

A glossary of technical definitions of terms for visas can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/glossary/glossary_1363.html

Another useful website, for the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS), responsible for adjudicating waivers, processing green cards and granting U.S. citizenship, can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov

Where can I get more information about the Diversity Visa?

Please visit this site on the Diversity Visa for more information.  Be aware that there are currently numerous scams related to Diversity Visas.  There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. The Department of State notifies successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter, and NOT by e-mail.  If you have questions about a message saying you are a winner of the Diversity Visa, we encourage you to review: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html#3

When will I get an appointment?

If your inquiry concerns an immigrant visa case where the I-130 petition was filed at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, please be aware that there is a high volume of cases waiting to be scheduled for appointments.  Resource shortages may delay processing for a number of months after we receive notification that you have all of your required documents.  You can avoid delays by remembering  to bring ORIGINAL documents of birth, marriage, divorce certificates, etc.  Thank you for your patience.  If you have submitted a checklist and 4 months have elapsed and you have not received an interview date yet, please inform us immediately.  

If NVC sent you a letter stating that your file is complete and it has been sent to Jerusalem for scheduling, the file has, in fact, NOT been sent to Jerusalem.  Rather, it is waiting at the National Visa Center (NVC) until an appointment is scheduled.  You will receive an appointment letter in the mail when your appointment has been scheduled by NVC.  You can expect to receive this appointment letter several weeks before your appointment.  Please remember to bring ORIGINAL documents of birth, marriage, divorce certificates, etc.

If your inquiry concerns an immigrant visa case where the I-130 petition was filed in the U.S. and it has not been scheduled for an appointment, please send your inquiry directly to the National Visa Center. To contact NVC, please forward your inquiries by email to: NVCInquiry@state.gov.  If you have been informed by USCIS that your petition has been approved and forwarded to the Department of State, please contact NVC directly.

If I cancel my appointment when will I be rescheduled?

Due largely to our high volume of cases and workload, rescheduled appointments generally occur 2 to 3 months from when we were notified of the appointment cancellation.  This may vary from case to case, due to visa number availability and the visa class being requested. 

Where will the interview take place?

All visa interviews for Immigrant Visas take place at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.  We are located at 14 David Flusser Street in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem. 

What documents do I need to bring?

The required documents are listed on the checklist provided by NVC or on our prior communications with you.  Remember, however, that each case is different.  Please remember to bring ORIGINAL records of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, etc., including birth certificates of the petitioner if the petitioner is a son, daughter or sibling of the applicant.  Please bring photocopies and certified translations for us as well.  Passports are always required.  For more details about original documents, please visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3741.html

What do you mean, certified translation?

The document should be certified by someone who fluent in both English and the original language.  The translator should append to the translation the statement, "I (name), certify that I am fluent in both English and (language)."  The translator should then print and sign their name, and date their signature.  Translations are only required for documents in languages other than English, Arabic or Hebrew.

Does the petitioner need to come to the interview?

Petitioners do not need to accompany the visa applicant on interview day.  Due to space constraints, we ask that ONLY the applicant appear.

Who must attend the interview?  Do I need to bring all my children?

All immigrant visa applicants must appear at the interview.  Waiting times at the Consulate can sometimes be long.  Please be prepared to wait, and know that we will process your application as quickly as we are able.

Can I pick up the visa the same day?

Because of the administrative processing associated with visa issuance, it is not possible to issue visas on the same day of the interview.  Assuming that the applicant appears with all required documents and the case does not require additional administrative processing, the visa could be ready in as little as one week.  However, most cases do require additional processing, and this can take significant time.  Please do not make travel plans until you have your visa in hand.  Visas will be returned to applicants by courier when they are ready.

Do I owe any money for the visas?

If you have been receiving documentation from the National Visa Center, then most likely you have already paid the visa fee.  If not, the current IV fee schedule can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

Fees can be paid at the time of interview.  Please do not pay the non-immigrant (visitor) visa application fee unless you are applying for the special K-1 or K-3 visas for immigration.  If this is the case, the fee may be paid either at the Israel Post Office or at Cairo-Amman Bank.

How do I book my Medical Exam?

We can only accept Medical Examinations from our list of authorized Panel Physicians.  Please visit this website for an up-to-date list of our panel physicians:  http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3739.html

How do I check the status of my waiver? 

The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) adjudicates all waivers.  If you have applied for a waiver, it is pending with USCIS.  We will inform you as soon as we have received a response to your waiver request.  Please do not contact our office for an update on the status of your waiver as we will simply refer you to the USCIS. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues I-551 (green cards) in the United States.  The Consulate does NOT issue replacement green cards. New green cards can ONLY be obtained in the USCIS office in the United States. 

If you are overseas and your green card was lost, stolen, or has expired and you HAVE been out of the U.S. for less than 365 days (if you have been out of the U.S. for MORE than a year, you may have lost your status), you may request a boarding letter from either the US Embassy in Tel Aviv or from the US Consulate General in Jerusalem to allow you to return to the U.S.  U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv accepts walk-ins for this service Monday through Friday from 8:30-9:00 a.m.  Information on this service from the Embassy is available from nivtelaviv@state.gov and by visiting the Lost, Stolen, or expired Green Cards Link.

To request this service at the US Consulate in Jerusalem, you must send an email request to jerusalemIVinquiries@state.gov, requesting an appointment.  In your email you must include your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number).  Appointments for this service are only available on Friday mornings. 

I am LPR (green card holder) and had a baby overseas.  How do I return to the U.S. with my child?

The Consulate can provide you with a boarding letter for your child if:

1. Your child was born subsequent to issuance of your immigrant visa before you traveled to the United States on that immigrant visa, or
2. You are an LPR (green card holder) and your child was born during your temporary visit abroad provided the child is less than two years old and you have not returned to the U.S. since the birth of the child

To request this service at the US Consulate in Jerusalem, you must send an email request to jerusalemIVinquiries@state.gov, requesting an appointment.  You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number), as well as your child’s  name, your child’s date of birth and passport number.   Appointments for this service are only available on Friday mornings, and both the parent and child must appear. 

I am LPR (green card holder) and have been outside the U.S. for more than a year?  Can I return to reside there? 

Legal permanent residents (LPRs) who have remained outside of the U.S. for more than 365 days have, in most cases, lost their permanent resident status.  Such individuals may apply for permission to apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1); however, to obtain this visa they must convince a consular officer that the reason for the extended absence from the U.S. was "beyond their control."  Applicants who wish to make this application should send an email request to jerusalemIVinquiries@state.gov, requesting an appointment.  You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, former status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number).   

I am LPR (green card holder) and wish to remain outside the United States for an extended period.  Can I apply for a reentry permit?

Reentry permits are only issued by USCIS.  You should visit http://www.uscis.gov for further information.  We are unable to assist you with this process.

I am LPR (Green card holder) and wish to relinquish my green card (I-551).  How do I do that?

You are welcome to surrender your I-551 when you next apply for a non-immigrant visa (at any U.S. Consular Section), or when you next appear for other scheduled business at the Consulate General.  If you have a pressing need to do so sooner, you may send us an email at jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov and we will schedule you for an appointment to appear before a Consular Officer to undertake the relinquishment.  The form you will need to complete is available at http://athens.usembassy.gov/uscis/i-407.pdf (PDF 623 KB)

Have you received the documents I just sent yet?

All documents received by our office are passed to a consular officer for review.  Please note that we cannot confirm receipt of documents until the documents are actually reviewed by a consular officer and a decision is made.  Additionally, if your case is missing several documents the case will only be reviewed when all of the requested documents are received.  Please wait at least 3 weeks after sending all of the requested documents before contacting us.