Vital information and Resources for New and Potential United States Immigrants

Petitions Required to be Filed in the United States

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident sponsors residing in the United States file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility, following instructions on the USCIS website.

U.S. employers file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, as instructed on the USCIS website.

Filing Immigrant Petitions Outside of the United States

Some petitions may be filed outside of the United States. Review Filing Immigrant Petitions Outside the United States to learn more.

http://www.uscis.gov/ 

Immigrant Visa Processing - The National Visa Center (NVC)

After an immigrant petition filed in the United States is approved by USCIS, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing. NVC plays an important role in the next steps of the immigrant visa process by providing instructions to petitioners, sponsors, and visa applicants; reviewing required Affidavit of Support forms from sponsors; and receiving fees, application forms, and other required documents from visa applicants.

 For numerically limited family preference petitions, NVC contacts the petitioner once the petition’s priority date is about to become current. 

Learn more about the National Visa Center (NVC) and processing at the NVC.

Click on the links below for more information on forms to use, “how to” instructions for Affidavits of Support, genetic (DNA) testing and more: 

• Affidavit of Support Information
• Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS 230
• National Visa Center - Frequently Asked Questions
• Poverty Guidelines
• Visa Bulletin   
• Vaccinations Required

More....

• Countries with Limited or No Visa Services
• DNA Testing
• Ineligibilities and Waivers
• Photograph Requirements
• Returning Resident Visas and International Travel for Permanent Residents
• Information on Website Fraud Warning
• Safety and Security of U.S. Borders: Biometrics