When USCIS approves a family petition for a relative abroad, the case moves to the State Department’s National Visa Center. The NVC prepares the case for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Families often wait here longer than they expect, usually because one document is missing. This is what the NVC needs.
Building the case at the NVC
- The NVC sends a welcome letter with a case number. You use it to log in to the State Department’s online system.
- Pay the fees the system lists. The amounts are on the State Department’s fee page.
- The immigrant completes Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application.
- The U.S. petitioner submits Form I-864, the affidavit of support, with tax records. A joint sponsor may be needed if income is not enough.
- Upload civil documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates and any court records.
When everything is accepted, the case is documentarily qualified. That is the step that puts the case in line for an interview.
Before the interview
Immigrants who also need a visa number wait for their priority date to be current. Immediate relatives do not.
Once the interview is scheduled, the immigrant completes a medical exam with a physician approved by the embassy, and registers for any courier or appointment system the post uses.
The interview and after
A consular officer reviews the documents and asks about the relationship. If the visa is approved, it is placed in the passport.
Pay the USCIS immigrant fee before travel. The green card is mailed to the U.S. address after entry.
If the officer asks for more documents, the case is put on hold until they arrive. Send them quickly.
Sources
Published May 12, 2026.