What is the National Visa Center (NVC)?
The National Visa Center (NVC) is a branch of the United States Department of State that handles visa pre-processing on behalf of US embassies. The NVC, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, handles much of the fundamental processing for immigrant visas (green cards), relieving each embassy of the load.
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 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
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 NVC located in USA?
Portsmouth, New HampshireThe National Visa Center (NVC) is part of the U.S. State Department and is based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your green card petition (for example a Form I-130), USCIS forwards it to the NVC for green card pre-processing.
How long does it take NVC to schedule 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.
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.
What does it mean when your case is currently at NVC?
At NVC. This means your case or the DS 260 form has not been submitted yet and is held at the National Visa Center.
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.
How long does it take NVC to review documents 2022?
It frequently takes the NVC at least two months to review one's documents.
What is a current priority date with NVC?
Priority date: This is the date that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received your I-130 petition. Think of this date as your place in the green card line. You can find your priority date on the I-797 form mailed by USCIS approving your I-130 petition.
How long does it take to get a welcome letter from NVC?
Generally, the process of gettingwelcome letter take between 30 and 60 days. But people have seen delays of up to six months. There are couple of reasons for delay in getting a welcome letter form NVC.
How long does it take for NVC to send case to Embassy?
After you have submitted all of your required documentation to the National Visa Center, paid the visa fees, and uploaded all of the necessary documents to your Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) portal, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for the National Visa Center to review your documentation and ...
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.
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 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 long does it take for NVC to send interview letter?
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.
How long does it take to get an interview date after a case complete?
As we've mentioned above, you could wait for anything between 1 month and 24 months for your interview to be scheduled. These times are not guaranteed in any way, however. So, if there is a long delay at your field office, it could even take even longer.
How long does NVC take to review resubmitted documents 2022?
Document review takes 70 days.
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.
Where can I apply for an I-129 visa?
For these petitions, once the petition is approved by the USCIS, the beneficiary may directly apply for a visa at a United States consulate or embassy abroad. Some of the Form I-129 categories have numerical limits, but these limits are taken care of by the USCIS at the time it receives the application.
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.
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.
Does the Diversity Immigrant Visa go through the NVC?
Among immigrant visa categories, the Diversity Immigrant Visa does not go through the NVC. The program is managed by the Kentucky Consular Center of the U.S. Department of State.
Does the NVC receive the I-485?
The National Visa Center is involved only for method (1). In case method (2) is being used, the NVC will not receive the petition at all if the Adjustment of Status application (Form I-485) is filed concurrently with the petition. If, however, the petition is filed as a standalone petition, the NVC may contact the beneficiary, ...
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.
Where do you send your visa application?
Once your visa applications priority date become current, the documents are sent to the proper embassy or consulate for the final steps of the process.
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.
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.
How does the NVC know if a petition has been accepted?
It is necessary to note that your application is only transmitted to the NVC once the USCIS accepts the petition. The NVC assigns a case number after receiving the petition from the USCIS. After, the NVC will contact applicants to confirm that their petitions have been received by the agency.
What is the NVC?
The National Visa Center (NVC) is a branch of the United States Department of State that handles visa pre-processing on behalf of US embassies. The NVC, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, handles much of the fundamental processing for immigrant visas (green cards), relieving each embassy of the load. They also process some nonimmigrant visa categories and petitions.
How long does it take for NVC to respond to an email?
NVC typically responds to email queries within 1 to 3 weeks. It may take them some time to respond to your queries. Submit your query with all the required details. The NVC should be notified of any address changes that impact the petitioner or beneficiary using the public inquiry form.
What time does the NVC open?
The NVC can be reached via phone or email. Normal business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. This does not include federal holidays.
How long does it take to schedule an appointment with the NVC?
Although NVC attempts to schedule appointments within three months of receiving all required paperwork, this timeline is dependent on the consular section’s operational condition and capacity.
What does "current" mean on an I-797?
In the context of the visa bulletin, “current” indicates that there is no backlog and that there is no waiting period for a green card. When a priority date reaches the head of the line and a green card is available, it becomes “current.”
How long does it take to get an immigration assessment?
Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.
What is the National Records Center?
Our National Records Center receives and processes FOIA requests and applications for genealogy information.
What is the phone number for USCIS?
We provide a broad range of services and information through our website. We also provide nationwide information and service by phone at 1.800.375.5283.
How long before a naturalization appointment can you enter the USCIS?
You may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes before your appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies). USCIS will provide hand sanitizer at entry points. Everyone 2 years of age or older who has not been fully vaccinated must wear facial coverings.
What is an accommodation in USCIS?
An accommodation is a change in a USCIS practice or procedure that allows a qualified individual with a disability to participate in our programs and activities and access our benefits. An accommodation does not exempt you from a USCIS requirement, but instead modifies how you meet it.
What is the USCIS help line?
USCIS has established a toll-free military help line, 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645), exclusively for members of the military and their families. Services before you file. We provide a broad range of information through our website and by phone. You can check information, get assistance and get forms.
What is asylum office?
Asylum Offices handle scheduled interviews for asylum-related issues only.
Is USCIS open for asylum?
USCIS domestic field offices and asylum offices are open with additional precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In DHS-controlled spaces, this guidance supersedes state, local, tribal, or territorial rules and regulations regarding face coverings.
Where is the National Visa Center?
National Visa Center. The National Visa Center (NVC) was established in 1994 and is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The NVC is tasked with the job of processing all approved immigrant visa petitions after they have been received from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and holds onto them until the cases are ready ...
How to apply for an immigrant visa?
The first step in the immigrant visa application process is to establish communication and register an address and agent. At this point, it is important that the applicant understands which forms are required of her at this time. In addition, there will be a required fee to be submitted in conjunction with the form’s filing. At the initial stages of the immigrant visa application process, the main visa applicant must provide the NVC with a correct mailing address where correspondence related to the application may be sent. If the applicant has a valid email address, that should be provided along with the physical address.
What is the process of a visa petition forwarded to the NVC?
Citizenship and Immigration Services), the petition will be forwarded to the NVC in order to further complete the process . Along with the visa petition, the individual must also include any and all supporting documentation required by the NVC.
What is the purpose of an interview for a visa?
Lastly, the interview will be conducted in order to determine whether the applicant should be issued a visa. If a visa is issued, the applicant will travel to a U.S. port of entry at which point her visa packet will be opened and reviewed by an officer from the Department of Homeland Security. The officer will have the final authority to grant the applicant admission into the United States.
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. The NVC handles pre-processing of immigrant visas at the appropriate times.
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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.