Immigrant Visa Processing - General FAQ: Part II

When I Filed a Petition for My Relative, I Was a Legal Permanent Resident (green card holder). I Recently Became a U.S. Citizen. How Can I Upgrade the Petition?


You should make a copy of your Naturalization Certificate. Send the copy - NOT the original - to the NVC with a letter containing the case number and beneficiary name of the petition you want to upgrade.

I Have Been Waiting for a Very Long Time for My Relative to Get an Immigrant Visa. Now There is a Family Emergency and I Need My Relative to Immigrate Soon to the U.S. Can NVC Help Me?

If a visa is available for your relative’s category, and their case involves a life or death medical emergency, processing of your case may be expedited. To request a review for expedite, please submit a letter (or statement) to the NVC from a physician (or medical facility). The letter must include the physician’s (or medical facility’s) contact information, and declare a life or death medical emergency exists. This documentation may be in the form of a scanned attachment to an e-mail.

If a visa is not available, unfortunately there is nothing that the NVC can do to expedite the petition. Immigrant visa processing is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, which controls availability of visas. There is no provision within the law that would allow the Department of State to issue a visa to someone for whom a visa is unavailable.

My Relative Went for His Interview for an Immigrant Visa at the U.S. Embassy, but Was Refused. Can NVC Review This Case?

No, the NVC cannot change a visa decision. You should contact the U.S. consular office where the visa case was processed.

What Do I Need to Do to Remove an Attorney from My Case?

If you no longer want to be represented by your attorney, you must contact the NVC in writing.

What Do I Need to Do to Add an Attorney to My Case?

If you wish to hire an attorney, please submit a signed form G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative to the National Visa Center (NVC).

What Do I Need to Do to Withdraw a Case?

To withdraw a petition, you must send a signed written statement requesting that the petition be withdrawn and explaining the reason to the NVC. If an attorney or accredited representative submits the request, a G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative, must accompany the request.