FAQs about Employment (Immigrant) Visas

The consular officer will return the foreign worker’s passport with machine readable visas along with a sealed envelope containing the documents previously provided and other documents prepared by the United States embassy or consulate. Before departing for the United States the foreign worker must pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee ($165) online. Upon entry, the sealed… Read More

An immigrant visa is valid for 6 months after issuance. This means that the foreign worker must enter the United States prior to the expiration of the 6 month period.

At present, the immigrant visa application fee is $405 per applicant. Each applicant must pay a separate application fee. Click here for a list of applicable fees. Please note that the immigrant visa application fee is paid to the National Visa Center (NVC).

Once the United States embassy or consulate officer is satisfied, the immigrant visa application is approved and a machine readable visa is placed in the foreign worker’s passport 1 week after the interview.

The issuance of an immigrant visa requires processing by the USCIS, NVC and United States embassy or consulate. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) limits the number of employment based immigrant visas that are issued each year based on the EB preference category. Each preference category is assigned a number of immigrant visas. In addition,… Read More

The United States embassy or consulate might deny the immigrant visa for a variety of reasons. From an administrative perspective, immigrant visas can be denied for failing to present requested documents, a divorce decree for example; or incorrectly completing documents.

At the interview, the consular officer will verify that all required documentation has been provided. Second, and more importantly, the consular officer may question the foreign worker in detail with respect to the specifics of the position and the U.S. company. Assuming that the consular officer is satisfied, the immigrant visa application is approved and… Read More

An approved Immigrant Petition and continued offer of full time, permanent employment. The foreign worker is not inadmissible because of medical, criminal or other reasons.

An immigrant visa is issued by the United States embassy or consulate in the foreign worker’s home country. An immigrant visa allows the foreign worker to legally enter and live permanently in the United States.