Are you interested in immigrating to the United States or want to sponsor someone? The U.S. offers immigrant visas based on family ties, employment, special immigrant categories, and the Diversity Visa.
There are two main categories of immigrant visas – family-based and employment-based. However, there are a few types of immigrant visas that do not fall under these categories, such as the Diversity Lottery visa. Here is a list of U.S. immigrant visa categories:
Family-based immigrant visas allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to reunite with loved ones in the U.S.
Employment-based immigrant visas are for skilled workers, professionals, and other qualified individuals who can contribute to the U.S. economy.
When trying to secure a U.S. immigrant visa, you will contact several agencies in charge of processing and approving petitions, preparing applications, and conducting interviews. They include:
USCIS oversees immigration to the United States and is responsible for approving or denying immigrant petitions. For most applicants, the journey begins with filing a petition with USCIS. The agency reviews your petition to determine if it meets the eligibility requirements. Once approved, the petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
Visit the official USCIS website to learn more about the immigration options available and access resources to guide applicants.
Once USCIS approves your petition, the National Visa Center (NVC) takes over the process for certain immigrant visa categories. NVC helps applicants prepare their visa application for the interview stage, ensuring all required documents and fees are submitted before scheduling an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. NVC will notify applicants when they can proceed and provide instructions on submitting supporting documents.
Visit the NVC portal to track your application. Provide the required documentation to ensure your visa interview and approval are completed on time.
The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) is a specialized center responsible for assisting Diversity Visa (DV) applicants. After being selected through the Diversity Visa Program, KCC helps applicants prepare their case for further processing at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Like NVC, KCC guides applicants through submitting the necessary documents and preparing for their visa interviews.
The Kentucky Consular Center does not notify successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter or email. To find out if your entry was selected, you must check your status by visiting the official website.
U.S. Embassies and Consulates play a vital role in the final stages of the immigrant visa application. After completing and submitting documents to NVC or KCC, applicants must attend an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in or near their country of residence. The consular officers will review your application, conduct the interview, and determine whether you qualify for the visa application.
Locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be interviewed as a requirement to apply for U.S. visa.
A foreigner who wants to live permanently in the United States needs an immigrant visa. The applicant must have a sponsor—an immediate relative who is at least 21 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), commonly known as a green card holder.
There are two types of family-based immigrant visas:
U.S. Citizens can file a petition for their:
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) can file a petition for their:
Approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are available to qualified applicants every fiscal year under U.S. immigration law.
Employment-based visas open doors to opportunities in the U.S. for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Priority Worker and Persons of Extraordinary Ability
This category is for individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, business, or athletics. These applicants can file their own Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140). The subcategories include:
Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
Applicants in this category include professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. A U.S. employer must file Form I-140 on behalf of the applicant.
This category includes two subgroups:
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers
These applicants require an approved Immigrant Petition (Form I-140) and labor certification.
This category includes:
Certain Special Immigrants
This category includes groups such as broadcasters, religious workers, and certain former U.S. government employees. Applicants typically need an approved Form I-360 but do not require labor certification.
Immigrant Investors
The E5 visa is for investors who invest a minimum of $1,000,000 (or $500,000 in targeted employment areas) in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Applicants in this category have to file form I-526.
The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program allocates 50,000 visas annually through a random selection process. Applicants from countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates are eligible. Entrants are selected through a lottery system, and those selected must file the DS-260 application and follow the instructions for their visa interview.
If you are wondering how to apply for immigrant visa, continue reading to learn about the fees, required documentation, and interview process.
When applying for a U.S. immigrant visa, it is essential to know the various U.S. immigrant visa costs associated with the application process. The costs vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, and some categories may have additional expenses beyond the standard application fees.
Below are some of the immigrant visa application processing fees:
It is important to note that these fees cover only the application processing and do not include additional costs like medical exams, document translations, or travel expenses.
Prepare the necessary documentation in advance to avoid delays when applying for a U.S. immigrant visa. The following is a list of general immigrant visa requirements that most applicants must fulfill:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into the United States unless the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country requests a longer validity period.
Complete the DS-260—Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application form, which is a mandatory online form for all immigrant visa applicants.
Submit two (2) 2x2 photographs taken within the last six months. These photographs must meet the requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of State.
Bring original or certified copies of civil documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, and legible photocopies. Certified translations may be required if the documents are not in English.
Applicants whose U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) relative filed the Form I-130 petition need a Form I-864 - Affidavit of Support. This document shows that the petitioner has sufficient financial means to support the applicant.
After completing your medical examination and receiving vaccinations from an approved panel physician, you will be given completed medical forms, which you must submit with your visa application.
After the National Visa Center (NVC) confirms that your file contains all required documentation, they will schedule your immigrant visa interview at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The NVC will send your petition and supporting documents to the consular post, where a consular officer will interview you. You will receive a notification containing the interview date, time, and instructions.
On the day of your interview, you must bring your valid passport and any additional documents not already submitted to the NVC.
The consular officer will review your case and determine whether you are eligible to receive the immigrant visa based on U.S. immigration law.
Following the proper steps simplifies your application process and improves your chances of successfully obtaining a U.S. immigrant visa.
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