What is the National Visa Center (NVC)?
The National Visa Center (NVC) is the part of the U.S. Department of State that performs pre-processing tasks for visas on behalf of U.S. embassies. Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the NVC does much of the basic processing for immigrant visas (green cards) to take the burden off each embassy.
How does the National Visa Center fit into the immigration process?
National Visa Center. How does the National Visa Center fit into the U.S. immigration process? After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your immigrant visa petition, USCIS forwards your petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth, NH for immigrant visa pre-processing at the correct time.
Where does an immigrant visa go after it is approved?
Visa petitions are first submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security. Once the immigrant visa petition has been approved, it is sent to the National Visa Center. The National Visa Center holds onto them until the case is ready to be adjudicated at a consulate or embassy.
Where is the National Visa Center in New Hampshire?
The National Visa Center is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a closed-down Air Force base. The National Visa Center is run by a private contractor. Calling the National Visa Center
How long does National Visa Center take to process?
Each form has its own processing time. For example, in 2021, the time for the most general Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, was 12.9 months. In comparison, in early 2022, the time was 26.2 months.
Why is the National Visa Center taking so long?
If the Embassy does not have any available slots, the case will remain warehoused at the NVC until slots become available. Depending on the volume of cases waiting for interview availability, this could take a long period of time.
Is USCIS the same as National Visa Center?
National Visa Center: Pre-Processing of Your Visa The National Visa Center (NVC) is the place where petitions for immigrant visas (or petitions for green cards) are sent after they are approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This center is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
How long does it take for the NVC to schedule an interview 2021?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Is NVC scheduling interview 2022?
After reviewing your application, the NVC will schedule your immigrant visa interview. As of April 25, 2022, the NVC is reviewing documents submitted on or before February 4, 2022. Applicants must still complete all necessary formalities for their applications before the NVC reviews their case.
How long does it take for NVC to send case to Embassy 2022?
Your petition is awaiting an interview appointment. At this time, no further action is required. We appreciate your patience. After the NVC sends you this confirmation, then you can expect to wait between 2-6 months for the NVC to schedule you an interview at the U.S. consulate in your home country.
What happens when my case is at NVC?
Applicants whose case is at NVC should submit requests using NVC's online inquiry form. NVC will forward the request to USCIS and change the visa category back to F2B upon receipt of USCIS's approval.
Why NVC send my case back to USCIS?
The 5 reasons for a return are: statutory ineligibility, fraud, withdrawal of petition, missing or incorrect information, and death of petitioner/qualifying relative. If the petition is missing information or there are inaccuracies, then USCIS will issue Request for Evidence (RFE).
How long does it take USCIS to send case to NVC?
First, USCIS has to send your file to the NVC. That can often take six to eight weeks after approval of the I-130, and possibly even longer. When NVC receives your case, it will send you a notification, typically via email. If you're a "preference relative" (on a waiting list), that delay won't affect you much.
What is a current priority date with NVC?
The date your petition was filed is called your priority date.
What next after NVC accepted documents?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY FORMS AND DOCUMENTS TO NVC? After NVC receives all of the requested paperwork, it will administratively review them. NVC's work is clerical in nature and is meant to ensure you have the documents consular officers need to see.
How do I know when my NVC case is complete?
Confirming NVC Case Complete Call NVC directly at 1-603-334-0700. In general, the call center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to midnight, Eastern Standard Time. Consequently, the operator will confirm if you have NVC case complete.
Why is USCIS taking so long 2022?
The reasons for these delays are twofold: (1) the COVID19 pandemic impacted the efficiency and productivity of USCIS and all government functions, including mail delivery, and (2) the Trump Administration delayed processing of visa petitions as a way to reduce the number of legal immigrants entering the United States.
Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2021?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints resulting from the prior administration, USCIS inherited a significant number of pending cases and increased processing times.
How long does it take to get scheduled interview after being Documentarily qualified?
Since we work only one month at a time, we cannot predict when a case will be scheduled. We suggest waiting at least 90 days from notice that your case is documentarily qualified before calling.
How do I know if NVC is reviewing my case?
If everything says “Paid,” “Complete,” “In Process,” or “Submitted,” that means NVC is reviewing your case.
Is a visa application confidential?
Note: Visa records are confidential under Section 222 (f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), so information can only be provided to visa applicants. There are some exceptions, such as providing information to U.S. sponsors, attorneys representing visa applicants, members of Congress, or other persons acting on behalf of the applicants.
Does the National Visa Center accept mail?
On June 1, 2020, National Visa Center will no longer accept or respond to inquiries through mail. National Visa Center has modernized the way we pre-process visa applications. This has allowed NVC to streamline services to case parties and to U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Elimination of paper correspondence is the next step in this modernization.
What happens if a USCIS officer adjudicates a beneficiary's visa application?
If the consular officer adjudicating the beneficiary's visa application believes the underlying USCIS petition was approved in error or is no longer approvable the officer may return the petition to USCIS for revocation/reconsideration. This communication occurs directly between the consulate and the USCIS. NVC is no longer involved.
What is the NVC case number?
As soon as it receives the petition from the USCIS, NVC gives the petition a case number through which the status of the petition may be tracked and contacts the applicant confirming that the petition was received. Note that this case number differs from the USCIS case number and also from the immigrant visa number (that, for capped categories, may not be immediately available).
What happens if you don't respond to a NVC visa?
If the applicant does not respond, the NVC continues processing it for a visa application. However, the numerical limits apply to all petitions regardless of whether method (1) or method (2) is used, and are managed by the Visa Reporting and Control Division of the Department of State.
What is provisional unlawful presence waiver?
A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver is a waiver provided by the USCIS indicating that it waives unlawful presence in the United States as a ground of inadmissibility for a given applicant. It is obtained by applying with Form I-601A to the USCIS. It is used by people currently unlawfully present in the United States prior to departing the United States for a consular interview. USCIS notifies NVC once the Form I-601A is approved and the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver is granted, so that NVC can process any visa application for the applicant based on a petition listing him or her as a beneficiary.
How long does the NVC hold a visa?
It holds the visa petition until an interview can be scheduled with a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. NVC's first communication with the visa applicant, even before collecting fees, asks the applicant to choose an agent to represent him or her in communication with the NVC.
What is an I-130?
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by United States citizens and permanent residents to petition for immigrant status for their immediate relatives. The IR subcategory in the Form I-130 category is uncapped, and therefore the NVC immediately begins processing the application. However, the F subcategory has numerical limits, and is generally backlogged, and therefore applications in this category may have to wait. Note that wait times depend both on the type of visa in the F category, and the country of chargeability .
How does the time taken by the USCIS affect the total time taken to obtain a visa?
The time taken by the USCIS to process the petition affects the total time taken to obtain the visa only if it is in an uncapped category or it exceeds the NVC wait times. This is because the Priority Date for a petition is set as the date that the USCIS receives the petition, not the date it starts or finishes processing the petition.
What is the National Visa Center?
The National Visa Center processes all approved immigrant visa petitions. The National Visa Center also processes K-1 visa applications for fiancees and K-3 visa applications for the nonimmigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.
What happens if your visa number isn't recognized?
If your visa case number isn't recognized, it's likely that the National Visa Center hasn't yet received your case and cannot report your case status.
What does the first three characters on a visa receipt number mean?
The first three characters in the visa receipt number indicate which USCIS service center is processing your visa application. There are four service centers that are noted as WAC, EAC, SRC, or LIN.
What is the USCIS receipt number?
The USCIS assigns a number to each visa application. This 13-digit case number is used to identify your individual visa application and to check your National Visa Center case status. This receipt number can be found on Form I-797.
What is the I-797 form?
Once your application is filed with USCIS, you'll receive a Form I-797 or a Notice of Action. The Notice of Action is a notification that the visa application was received by USCIS and provides a case number. Your case number can be used to check your case status online with USCIS.
How to check visa status?
To check on your case status you can email, call, or mail them. You must have your visa case number or INS receipt number. This is the 13-digit number that identifies your visa application.
How to withdraw a visa application?
To withdraw a visa application, either the applicant, the petitioner, or the lawyer of the applicant must submit a signed, written statement. It's important to explain why the visa applicant is requesting to withdraw their visa application.
What is a K-3 visa?
In addition to the immigrant visa cases, the NVC also processes K-1 (fiance/e) and K-3 (nonimmigrant spouse of a U.S. citizen) cases for consular interviews once the petitions are approved by the USCIS.
How long can a petition stay at NVC?
Petitions may remain at NVC for several months or many years before the priority date becomes current for a given case. NVC cannot guarantee how long it may be before you are scheduled for an appointment for a visa interview.
What is the NVC?
National Visa Center (NVC) processes all approved immigrant visa petitions after they are received from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and retains them until the cases are ready for adjudication by a consular officer abroad.
What is NVC email?
Email is N VC’s most preferred method of communication regarding specific questions about a case.
What do you need to submit to the NVC?
In such a case, you must submit medical documentation declaring a life or death medical emergency to the NVC, in the form of a letter or statement from a physician or medical facility and include medical contact details such as an address, telephone, and e-mail.
Does NVC receive USCIS?
NVC only has information on petitions it has received. If the automated service does not recognize the USCIS file or receipt numbers you entered, most likely NVC has not yet received your petition. Email is NVC’s most preferred method of communication regarding specific questions about a case.
Can the NVC expedite an immigrant visa?
Family emergency and expedition. Irrespective of the type of emergency, NVC is not able to expedite the immigrant visa petition until the priority date is current. Once the priority date is current, the NVC can expedite its procedure in case of life or death medical emergencies.
Where is the NVC located?
Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the NVC does much of the basic processing for immigrant visas (green cards) to take the burden off each embassy. However, they also handle some nonimmigrant visa types. If you’re filing a family-based petition such as Form I-130 for a relative or Form I-129F for a fiancé, here’s what you should know about ...
How to send proof of citizenship to NVC?
Send the proof of citizenship to the NVC as an attachment via the Public Inquiry Form.
What is the NVC?
National Visa Center Explained. The National Visa Center (NVC) is the part of the U.S. Department of State that performs pre-processing tasks for visas on behalf of U.S. embassies . Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the NVC does much of the basic processing for immigrant visas (green cards) to take the burden off each embassy.
What is the NVC timeframe?
The NVC timeframes page only describes the general processing time for all cases. To reach a reasonable expectation for your case, it’s important to understand how it will be processed.
What is consular processing?
State Department for consular processing. Consular processing encompasses the activities to complete the visa overseas. Common examples of visa petitions include the following forms:
Does an approved petition mean the NVC will process the green card?
However, an approved petition does not necessarily mean that the NVC will begin processing the green card. To start, the beneficiary must have an immigrant visa immediately available.
Is there a limit on the number of immigrant visas issued to immediate relatives?
That’s because there is no annual limit on the number of immigrant visas issued to immediate relatives. On the other hand, family-based preference categories and employment categories do have a wait in most cases. Congress set a limit on the number of immigrant visas issued in these categories each year.
How long does it take for a petition to be approved?
How Petitions Are Handled. It can take up to six weeks for a petition to get from the USCIS to the National Visa Center after approval. After that, it can take up to three weeks for the case to be entered into the system. At this point, a letter goes out with an NVC case number.
How long does it take to change status after receiving visa?
If you wish to change your status after you receive notice that a visa is available, you must let them know within 30 days . Don't pay the fees and contact the USCIS for further instructions. The NVC then holds your petition until requested by the USCIS. If you don't respond in 30 days , the visa petition is processed.
What form is needed for a visa application?
When a visa becomes available or will soon be available, you receive a Choice of Agent and Address notice which includes form DS-3032 and completion instructions. If your petition was an I-130, your petitioner receives an AOS, or Affidavit of Support invoice, as well as instructions to pay the required fee. Follow these instructions to the letter; failing to do so or sending too little or too much information could delay your application.
What documents are needed to process a visa application?
Any documents required to process your application should be sent in a single mailing. This includes any Affidavit of Support, financial evidence, civil documents, and more. If you don't send all documents in one package, the case can see major delays. Make sure you keep in touch with the National Visa Center.
What is the national visa center?
The National Visa Center is the branch that handles all resident immigrant applications after they've been submitted from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). In essence, this office is a processing center for national immigrant visas.
How long does it take to get a green card if you don't respond?
If you don't respond in 30 days , the visa petition is processed. For those green card holders who filed petitions and then later became citizens, you can update your petition by sending a copy of your Certificate of Naturalization. Please note you should send a copy—never the original.
What is packet 3?
You receive a packet with more information and instructions on how to go ahead from here. The bundle you receive is known as Packet 3 and varies based on your country of origin. You're then scheduled for an interview at a U.S. Consulate office where you discuss your need for a visa. Be sure to follow all instructions, bring all required documentation listed in your information packet to the interview, and be on time.
Overview
The National Visa Center (NVC) is a center that is part of the U.S. Department of State that plays the role of holding United States immigrant visa petitions (as well as Form I-129F petitions for K-1/K-3 visas) approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services until an immigrant visa number becomes available for the petition, at which point it arranges for the visa applicant(s) (the petition beneficiaries) to take the visa interview at a consulate abroad. It is located in Ports…
Petitions that go through the NVC
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by United States citizens and permanent residents to petition for immigrant status for their immediate relatives. The IR subcategory in the Form I-130 category is uncapped, and therefore the NVC immediately begins processing the application. However, the F subcategory has numerical limits, and is generally backlogged, and therefore applications in this category may have to wait. Note that wait times depend both on the type of v…
Distinction between immigrant visa applications outside the United States and Adjustment of Status applications
There are two ways to become a United States Lawful Permanent Resident.
1. Have an immigrant status petition listing one as a beneficiary approved and then use that to apply for an immigrant visa from outside the United States. In this case, after receiving the immigrant visa, the beneficiary can apply for a Green Card for delivery to their United States address, and then enter on the immigrant visa and transition to LPR status upon entry.
Steps
When the USCIS receives a petition, it puts it in a processing queue handled by USCIS and marks the date of receipt of the petition. If approved, and in the case that the category is numerically capped, the petition's Priority Date will be set to this date of receipt. Note that for I-140 petitions that require labor certification, the Priority Date is set as the date that the application for labor certification is received.