Immigrant Visas

The Immigrant Visa

Immigrant visas are normally valid for travel to the United States for six months from the date on which they are issued.

If, for any reason, the applicant is unable to use the visa, it should be returned to the Consulate with a covering letter indicating whether or not the holder wishes to immigrate to the United States. Failure to return the unused visa may result in unnecessary delay in the issuance of a new visa to you or to some other qualified applicant, as an immigrant visa once issued, cannot be extended beyond its current validity.

If you do not use the visa for travel to the U.S. within its validity period, you must obtain a new visa and pay the visa issuance fee again, in order to travel to the United States. The visa fees you have paid are not refundable.

What does my visa consist of?

The Immigrant Visa consists of:

• a visa foil in your passport
• a sealed envelope with all your personal documents
• x-ray film handed to you at the medical examination

Under no circumstances should you tamper with these documents or open the sealed envelope. Should you do so the visa becomes automatically invalid and must be reissued. In addition, you will be required to pay the visa fees again and possibly also have to obtain updated documents.

>> Entering the U.S. on an Immigrant Visa