The U.S. immigrant visa is the first step to becoming a legal permanent resident in this country.
It is a long, and sometimes complex, process that involves several
steps to help the U.S. government determine if the applicant is deserving of the opportunity to live and work in the U.S.
Here’s a quick guide to applying for a U.S. immigrant visa.
- An applicant must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, or a prospective employer. The sponsor will file the petition, which should first be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), before the application process can move forward.
Family-based immigration is applicable to spouses, children, parents, and siblings.
It is also important to note your priority date, which is the date your petition was filed. The U.S. government regulates the number of immigrant visas available to each country per year so when the qualified applicants exceed the available visas, there will be a waiting list. The issuance of the visa will then be on a chronological order based on the applicants’ priority dates.
- Petition approved. Once the petition is approved, the applicant will need to submit documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will then forward these documents to U.S. embassies and consulates. Applicants will also need to pay related fees.
- After reviewing the submitted documents, interviews will be conducted to complete the process. Visas will be issued only to eligible applicants. If approved, the applicant will be informed of further details on how and when the passport and visa will be returned. If denied, the reasons for the denial will be discussed with the applicant by the consular officer.
When submitting documents for immigration, it is important to submit only USCIS certified documents. This can be ensured by working with a professional translation agency that has a track record of valid and accepted USCIS certified translation.
The Spanish Group Quality Assurance Director Salvador Ordorica explained, “Submitting a document that does not follow USCIS certified translation guidelines can derail the immigration process or even cause the applicant to get denied. Based on our experience translating immigration documents for clients, we cannot stress enough how important it is to only work with a professional for USCIS certified translation services.”
Lorenzo Saavedra is a San Francisco-based Colombian writer. He has a degree in Journalism and Economics from the University of Miami where he graduated with Latin honors. He is fluent in Spanish, English, Italian, and also speaks “some Arabic.”
During his time in the university, he wrote about Cuban-American population and relations, and the incorporation of Cuban-Americans into mainstream American society.
Lorenzo juggles his time between working as a freelance writer and travelling which is also a source of inspiration for many of his works. His favorite topics are politics and social issues, literary and film criticism, and business.
Lorenzo enjoys going to the beach and learning about new languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does the U.S. immigrant visa process usually take?
Processing times vary significantly depending on the visa category, country of origin, and annual visa limits. Family-sponsored visas may take several months to many years, particularly when priority date backlogs apply.
2. Can I apply for an immigrant visa while already in the United States?
In certain situations, yes. Eligible applicants who are lawfully present in the United States and have a visa number available may apply for Adjustment of Status by filing Form I-485. Others may be required to complete consular processing in their home country.
3. What happens if my priority date is not current?
If your priority date is not current, your case will remain pending until a visa number becomes available. Applicants can track visa availability by reviewing the U.S. Department of State’s monthly Visa Bulletin.
4. Are translations required for all immigration documents?
Yes. Any document not originally written in English must include a complete and accurate certified English translation to avoid processing delays or potential denial of the application.
5. Can an immigrant visa be denied even after petition approval?
Yes. Approval of an immigrant petition does not automatically guarantee visa issuance. A visa may still be denied due to inadmissibility factors such as incomplete documentation, misrepresentation, medical issues, or prior immigration violations.