Immigrant Visas

Who is eligible?
Spouse of a U.S. citizen; parent or step-parent of a U.S citizen; minor child or stepchild of a U.S. citizen, orphan adopted abroad or to be adopted in the U.S. and widow/er of a U.S. citizen, if married two years or more.

Note: A step-parent or step-child will qualify for immigration only if the marriage creating the step parent/child relationship occurs before the child's eighteenth birthday.

How do I apply?
The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is for the U.S. citizen (petitioner) to file an immigrant visa petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A separate petition must be filed for each immediate relative. U.S. citizens resident in Germany may file the petition with the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) in Frankfurt; U.S. citizens residents in the United States should contact their local USCIS office for further information.

Note: The natural child of a U.S. citizen may have claim to U.S. citizenship. A petition cannot be filed until it has been established that the child is not a U.S. citizen. If this situation may apply to your child, please contact the Passport Unit at the Consulate in Frankfurt, Tel: (069) 7535-2100 between 2pm and 4pm. Fax: (069) 7535-2304 or walk-in 7:30 am to 11:30 am , Monday through Friday.