An immigrant visa is valid for 6 months after issuance. This means that the foreign relative must enter the United States prior to the expiration of the 6 month period.
FAQs about Immigrant Visas
What is the immigrant visa fee at the United States embassy or consulate?
At present, the immigrant visa application fee is $230 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).
How long does it take the United States embassy or consulate to issue an immigrant visa?
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 relative’s passport 1 week after the interview.
How long is the entire immigrant visa process?
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 family based immigrant visas that are issued each year based on a preference category. Each preference category is assigned a number of immigrant visas. In addition, there… Read More
Why would the United States embassy or consulate deny an immigrant visa?
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; incorrectly completing documents, or failing to provide adequate evidence of ability to financially support the foreign relative. From a… Read More
Can a foreign spouse’s children come to the United States after the foreign spouse enters the United States?
Yes. Since the immigrant visa is valid for 6 months after issuance, the foreign spouse’s children can enter the United States at any time prior to the expiration of the 6 month period.
For how long is a child’s immigrant visa valid after issuance?
The child’s immigrant visa is valid for 6 months after issuance, the same length of time as the foreign spouse’s immigrant visa. This means that the foreign spouse’s children must enter the United States prior to the expiration of the 6 month period.
Can a foreign spouse’s child(ren) come to the United States?
Yes. If your foreign spouse has children from a previous marriage or otherwise and you marry your foreign spouse before the children reach the age of 18, the United States embassy or consulate will issue an immigrant visa to any minor (under 21 and unmarried) children of the foreign spouse.
What happens after you receive the immigrant visa?
The consular officer will return your foreign spouse’s and any child’s passports 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 spouse and any children must pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee… Read More
How is an immigrant visa (CR-1 or IR-1) processed by the United States embassy or consulate?
At the interview, the consular officer will verify that all required documentation has been provided. Second, and more importantly, the consular officer will question your foreign spouse in detail with respect to the specifics of your marriage in order to determine its legitimacy. Assuming that the consular officer is satisfied, the immigrant visa application is… Read More
