Immigrant Visa Processing - General FAQ: Part I

Why Don't You Have My Case at the NVC Yet?


When you complete a petition (I-130, I-140, etc.) for an immigrant visa, you send it to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security for approval. If the USCIS approves the petition and you wish to process for a visa outside the United States, the USCIS will send you a Notice of Approval (I-797) and send the petition to the NVC. It often takes longer for the petition to arrive at the NVC than for you to receive your Notice of Approval. Therefore, we recommend that you wait at least three weeks after you get your Notice of Approval before calling the NVC.

I Am the Beneficiary (applicant) and My Case Is at NVC. Now What Happens?

If a visa is available for your petition (or if the Department of State believes that one will be available in the next several months), the NVC will send you, the beneficiary, a Choice of Agent and Address letter containing the form DS-3032 and instructions for completing the form. If you are the beneficiary of an I-130 petition, the NVC will send your petitioner an Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee Bill Invoice along with instructions for paying the AOS fee.

If visas are not available for your visa category, the NVC will notify you that the NVC received your petition and will hold it until a visa becomes available.

How Do I Pay the Fees Associated with the National Visa Center’s (NVC) Services?

The NVC will send the Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee Bill Invoice (if applicable) and the Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee Bill Invoice when the fees become due. You must follow the payment instructions in the fee bill letter you will receive from the NVC.

Note: It is important to follow the NVC’s instructions carefully. Sending the NVC documentation (or paying fees) when they were not requested by the NVC will delay your visa.

How Much Are the Fees for Immigrant Visas?

For current fee amounts for Immigrant Visa Application Processing, Affidavit of Support Review, and Immigrant Visa Security Surcharge, see Fees for Visa Services.

I Am in the United States and Would Like to Adjust My Status. How Do I Do That?

When a visa is available for your petition (or if the Department of State believes that one will be available in the next several months), the NVC will send you a letter asking what you plan to do. If you respond that you plan to adjust your status, the NVC will hold your file until a USCIS office requests it. If you do not reply, after 30 days, the NVC will begin processing your petition.

Requests for adjustment of status are processed by USCIS not by the NVC. You should contact the USCIS office nearest you for adjustment of status information.

I Am Adjusting My Status with USCIS, What Do I Do About the Fees Requested by the NVC?

If you are planing to adjust status with USCIS, do not submit any fee payments to the NVC. Notify the NVC of your intent to adjust status and contact the USCIS for further information.