Processing Your Case Overseas
Citizens of foreign countries who wish to obtain permanent resident status in the U.S. generally must obtain immigrant visas at the nearest Consulate or U.S. Embassy. With consular processing, the interview for an immigrant visa takes place at a U.S. embassy or consulate located in the aliens country of nationality. Unlike nonimmigrant tourist, student, and specialty worker visas, which allow someone to remain in the United States for a limited period of time, an immigrant visa permits the person who receives it to live indefinitely in the United States and to seek employment.
There are 3 types of immigrant visa categories:
- Employment based immigration
- Family based immigration
- Diversity Visa – Lottery
The Applicant for an Immigrant Visa will complete Visa Forms DS-230 Parts I & II, undergo a medical examination and appear for an interview or visa appointment at the Consulate.
Current processing procedures at the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire allow you to pay Immigrant visa fees online using a credit card. Thereafter the application forms are submitted to the National Visa Center. The Center will process all the paperwork and if an interview slot is available at the United States consulate, the National Visa Center will schedule the interview and notify you of the Interview Date.
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