A foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the United States requires an immigrant visa (IV). To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).
There are two types of family-based immigrant visas:
Immediate Relative – these visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child or parent. The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year.
Family Preference – these visas are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year.
Keep in mind that U.S. citizens can file an immigrant visa petition for their:
• Spouse (F-1)
• Parent (F-2)
• Son or daughter (F-3)
• Brother or sister (F-4)
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can only file an immigrant visa petition for their:
•Spouse
•Unmarried son or daughter
Step 1: Submit a Petition
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident petitioners residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done either electronically or through the traditional paper process through the mail.
To learn more about USCIS and to access forms and instructions, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/
Filing Petitions from Inside the United States
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident sponsors residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility, following instructions on the USCIS website. U.S. employers must file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, as instructed on the USCIS website.
Filing Petitions from Outside the United States
While most immigrant visa petitions are filed in the United States, filing certain types of petitions outside the United States is possible. Learn about filing petitions outside of the United States.
Petition Approval
Your immigrant petition must be approved by USCIS before your case can proceed to the National Visa Center.
Step 2: Begin National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
After USCIS approves your petition, they will transfer your case to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing. The first step in this processing is the creation of your case in our system. Once this is complete, USCIS will send you a Welcome Letter by e-mail or physical mail. With the information in this letter, you can log in to CEAC to follow up. Once you submit your fees, forms, and supporting documents to NVC, NVC will review your case to ensure you provided all the documentation required to schedule the immigrant visa interview. Interviews are based on the availability of appointments offered at the Embassy/Consulate.
When NVC forward your immigrant visa case file to the US Embassy, here at Qazi Law Associates, Immigration Lawyer can assist your as your authorized agent/representative to deal with the onward processing and if your case falls within the criteria of expedite processing, our lawyer can covert your normal processing into expedite category and will follow up/liaison with the US Authorities as well as petitioner of the case for smooth processing within shortest span of time and will do all the paper work, online forms, respond to the queries of the US Authorities, will guide/prepare for immigrant visa interview and to do all things necessary to be done until final decision/outcome of your immigration petition.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to schedule of appointment for free consultation session.
