Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visa processing time varies considerably depending on a number of factors. For applicants resident in Germany, the following two-stage process applies.

Stage one – the filing of the petition – is done through the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petitioner resides in Germany and files the petition with Frankfurt USCIS, the processing time is approximately three months. If the petitioner resides in the United States, the processing time varies depending on the service center where the petition is pending. Applicants are recommended to contact their USCIS service center directly.

Note: Applicants in numerically limited visa categories face a long waiting period after petition approval before their case becomes current. They should not begin preparing for stage two until their case is current or nearly current. For waiting times, please see the following link: Visa Bulletin

Applicants in unlimited visa categories may begin collecting all relevant documents listed on our Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants (pdf) while waiting on petition approval. This will help in moving quickly on to stage two.

Stage two – immigrant visa processing – is done through the Department of State, Immigrant Visa Unit at the American Consulate in Frankfurt. Once we have an approved and current petition on file in the Immigrant Visa Unit AND the applicant has informed us that he/she has collected all relevant required documents, we make every effort to schedule a visa interview as soon as possible. Due to heavy demands, the waiting time for an interview is approximately four to six weeks at present.

For medical emergencies, please inform us immediately so that we may do our best to be of assistance.

Applicants requiring additional administrative processing may experience delays (from several weeks to several months) during stage two. We will inform applicants when this processing applies.

If the applicant’s file is complete at the time of the interview, it typically takes five to ten days for visa printing and delivery by German registered mail.

Tips for avoiding delays:
• File the petition as early as possible.
• Ensure all of your biographical data is accurate and complete.
• Collect documents in a timely manner.
• Respond immediately to additional document requests.

Last updated: December 2006