Immigrant Visa Processing

Becoming a U.S. immigrant is a process with various stages and documentation. Receiving a notice that your Immigrant Visa Case has become Documentarily Qualified marks a significant milestone in this journey. This blog post will help you understand what this status means, prepare for your embassy interview, and determine what steps you should follow next.

Becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), or “green card” holder, marks the start of a new chapter of opportunities in the United States. This status allows individuals to live and work anywhere within the country and paves the way for them to apply for U.S. citizenship, given that they meet specific criteria. The journey to LPR status navigates through various classes of admission as outlined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This article examines these classes and avenues, such as family reunification, economic contributions, humanitarian grounds, and diversity visas, and examples of each class.

Are you ready to take the next step toward a U.S. visa?  The National Visa Center (NVC) contacts you by e-mail to indicate that it’s time to begin the document collection phase of the immigrant visa process. This stage involves submitting various forms, documents, and fees required for your visa appointment and interview scheduling. Understanding this process can be confusing; we break it down into simple steps here. 

Domicile is a crucial requirement in the immigrant visa process, often mistaken for similar terms like residence or citizenship. Yet, it is distinct for immigration purposes. Domicile is not merely about where you are at the moment; it’s about where you plan to set down your roots permanently or indefinitely. This term refers to a place chosen as a permanent home, where one intends to return even after periods spent elsewhere. We discuss the importance of domicile for immigration purposes here. 

Securing a visa through the U.S. Department of State involves submitting documents electronically to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC plays a pivotal role in your visa acquisition journey, organizing fee payments, preparing applicants for their interviews, and scheduling crucial meetings. This guide aims to highlight key pitfalls to dodge during this critical phase.

The interview is a crucial step in obtaining a U.S. visa. However, life sometimes interrupts our plans, and it becomes necessary to reschedule or cancel the appointment. Let’s discuss the process and implications of changing your visa interview date, ensuring you are prepared and aware of the importance of the interview.

The immigration journey can often be lengthy, particularly after the approval of the USCIS I-130 Petition for a foreign relative. Understanding when and how to expedite your case at the National Visa Center (NVC) can be pivotal in certain situations. We discuss the process of requesting expedited processing with the NVC here. 

Securing a US immigrant visa involves several steps, including the medical examination. This examination, conducted by an embassy-approved Panel Physician, is mandatory for the primary applicant and all eligible family members. This guide explains the medical examination process, what to expect, how to prepare, and the importance of this step in your visa application.