The Immigrant Visa Process

Email sent successfully!

Thank you for sending a link to the travel.state.gov page to the following email(s):

Collect and Submit Forms and Documents to the NVC

After you have completed Step 1 (Choose an agent) and Step 2 (Pay fees), you will submit your visa application form, and collect and submit the required documents to the the National Visa Center (NVC). This process will be explained in Steps 3 through 6.

After the necessary forms and documents have been collected, and when your priority date is current (if applicable), the NVC will schedule your interview at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The NVC will then transfer your case file to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Back

Español

Who's Involved

U.S. Embassies and Consulates: Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, nearest your residence abroad, where you will apply and be interviewed for your U.S. visa.

National Visa Center: After petition approval, the National Visa Center (NVC) handles processing for certain kinds of documents, sending them onward to U.S. Embassies & Consulates. When and how to Contact NVC

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): USCIS oversees immigration to the United States and approves (or denies) immigrant petitions, and more. Learn about USCIS.