A critical milestone in the immigration application process is the involvement of the National Visa Center (NVC).
The NVC plays a vital role in processing green card applications. They prepare petitions for consular officers to review and adjudicate. Understanding its function and the timeframes associated with its processing is essential for a smooth immigration journey.
In this guide, we will explore the following:
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The National Visa Center (NVC) is integral to the U.S. State Department. It acts as a centralized processing center for immigrant visa applications. Their primary role is to pre-process green card applications, both family-based and employment-based.
The NVC focuses on pre-processing green card applications for individuals outside the United States. They collect and review the necessary forms and documents before forwarding them to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate for the final decision.
On the other hand, USCIS handles the initial approval process of green card petitions.
Once U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your petition, it will then be forwarded to the NVC for further processing.
The NVC comes into the picture after USCIS approves your green card petition, such as Form I-130 or Form I-140. If you are based outside the United States, USCIS notifies the NVC of the approval, signaling the beginning of the green card pre-processing stage. However, the NVC's involvement depends on your priority date, which determines when they will start processing your application.
If your priority date meets the recent cut-off date in the visa bulletin or is expected to become current soon, the NVC will process your application. However, if your priority date does not meet the current cut-off date, the NVC will hold your application until your priority date becomes current or will soon become current. As your priority date approaches, the NVC will contact you to initiate the processing.
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Once the NVC receives your approved petition from USCIS, they create a case in their system and assign you a unique case number. They then send you a Welcome Letter, either by email or mail, containing your case number, beneficiary ID number, and invoice number. These details are crucial for tracking your case and managing your application through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
The timeline for receiving the NVC notice can vary, but generally, it should arrive within a few weeks after the transfer of your case from USCIS.
Next, depending on your specific circumstances, you may need to file the DS-261 form, also known as the "Online Choice of Address and Agent." This form provides the NVC with information on how to communicate with you during the application process.
After your DS-261 form is processed, you will be required to pay two fees online:
The total amount varies depending on the type of green card you are applying for.
Once the fees are paid and processed, you can file the DS-260 form, which is the primary immigrant visa application. After submitting the DS-260 form, the NVC will send you a confirmation notice to acknowledge receipt. They may also ask you to submit the supporting documents required for your application.
The NVC will give instructions on how to submit these documents, which may vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate processing your application. Ensure that you submit all the required documents within the specified timeframe.
Once you have successfully submitted the fees and supporting documents, the NVC will review your case and deem it "completed" when all necessary documents are received and processed.
The timeframe for case completion at the NVC varies depending on the volume of cases being processed and the accuracy of the submitted documentation. It is important to monitor the progress of your case during this stage.
After your case is completed at the NVC, it will be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate responsible for scheduling and conducting your immigrant visa interview.
The NVC plays a role in coordinating the interview scheduling process. The exact timeframe for interview scheduling will vary depending on factors like the workload of the embassy or consulate and the availability of interview slots.
The final decision on your visa petition will be made by the embassy or consulate after the interview. Thus, always stay informed and prepared for the interview process.
Important Notes:
Once you receive NVC's appointment letter detailing the date and time of your interview at your designated U.S. embassy or consulate overseas, check out important interview instructions. You can find them at NVC's website.
Take note that before your visa interview, you must schedule and complete a medical exam with a doctor approved by the embassy. You may also need to register with a courier service.
Several factors will have an impact on the time it takes for the NVC to process your application:
The priority date is a crucial factor in determining NVC processing times. It is based on the date your green card petition was filed with USCIS.
The priority date determines when an immigrant visa number becomes available for your category and country of chargeability. If your priority date is current or expected to become current soon, the NVC will proceed with processing your application.
The completeness and accuracy of your documentation also influence the timeliness of your case's processing. Submitting all the required forms, including the supporting documents, promptly and accurately is essential.
Failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in delays or even a rejection of your application.
The U.S. State Department regularly issues visa bulletins that provide updates on visa availability for different categories and countries. These bulletins contain cut-off dates, which determine when an immigrant visa number becomes available. NVC processing times may vary depending on the cut-off dates and visa availability for your specific category and country.
USCIS backlogs can affect NVC processing times indirectly. If USCIS experiences significant delays in approving green card petitions, it may impact the flow of cases to the NVC.
Delays at USCIS can cause a ripple effect, leading to longer processing times at the NVC.
The NVC provides several options for checking your case status:
The NVC offers an online case status check tool on its website. To access this tool, visit the NVC's website and provide your case number and other required information. The case number can be found in the Welcome Letter sent to you by the NVC.
With this case status check tool, you can get real-time updates on your case. You will also be aware of any actions you need to take.
If you want a more direct approach, contact the NVC by phone or email.
The NVC website provides phone numbers and email addresses for general inquiries and specific case types.
You may also contact NVC online using their inquiry form. Once submitted, you will receive a response through email.
When contacting the NVC, make sure to have your case number and other relevant information readily available to expedite the process.
Take proactive steps when your case is taking longer than expected.
Here are some actions you can consider:
If you believe your case is experiencing significant delays, the first step is to contact the NVC directly.
The NVC's customer service representatives can provide valuable insights and guidance on how to proceed.
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible to submit an expedite request to speed up the processing of your case.
If you believe your case meets the criteria for an expedite request, gather the necessary supporting documentation and submit the request to the NVC.
If your case is significantly delayed and you have exhausted other options, seek assistance from an experienced immigration attorney.
Experienced immigration lawyers here at Hacking Immigration Law, LLC can provide valuable guidance throughout the process. Also, we will help ensure all necessary documents are submitted accurately and within the required timeframe. That way, we can avoid potential delays and complications.
We offer a range of citizenship and immigration services to help streamline an applicant's immigration journey.
Before your case reaches the NVC, it goes through the initial approval process at USCIS. USCIS is responsible for reviewing and approving green card petitions, such as Form I-130 or Form I-140. The processing times at USCIS vary depending on the type of application and the specific USCIS service center or field office handling your case.
To check the processing times for your application type, you can utilize the USCIS processing times online tool. This tool provides the average processing times for different application types based on the service center or field office processing your case. By entering your receipt number, which can be found on your receipt notice (Form I-797C), you can determine which service center or field office is processing your case and access the corresponding processing times.
Keep track of the processing times to manage your expectations and stay informed about the progress of your case.
By familiarizing yourself with the NVC's function, processing times, and available resources, you can confidently and safely navigate the application process.
Remember to check your case status regularly. Reach out to the NVC if necessary and explore all available options if your case is experiencing significant delays.
Most importantly, seek legal help. Immigration lawyers can help you from start to finish. With the proper knowledge and proactive approach, you can navigate the immigration journey smoothly and achieve your goal of obtaining a green card.
