Immigrant Visas
Visa Processing at the National Visa Center
Upon receipt of the approved petition from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the National Visa Center (NVC) will send the beneficiary (visa applicant) the Form DS-3032 (pdf), Choice of Address and Agent Form and the petitioner an Affidavit of Support, processing fee bill.
The DS-3032 (pdf) may be used by the visa applicant to choose an "agent" to assist him or her in his/her application and to receive mailings from the NVC. The "agent" may be the one who filed the immigrant visa petition, an attorney, friend or non-governmental or community-based organization. He or she cannot sign documents for the visa applicant but can assist with fee payments and document collection. If the DS-3032 is not returned within one year, the NVC will begin terminating the case.
There is no requirement that you nominate an agent. The NVC may send all correspondence directly to you if you wish so. You should complete the relevant section of the DS-3032 (pdf) and return the form directly to the NVC.
A DS-3032 (pdf) is not required if
• a G-28 is received from USCIS indicating that an attorney is the agent;
• the visa applicant filed the petition on his or her behalf;
• a child is being adopted.
Reminder: DO NOT DOWNLOAD AND SEND IN ANY FORMS TO THE NVC until you have received official notification from them that they are ready to proceed with your application. Forms received before they officially notify you that they are ready to process your case will be discarded.
What happens once the NVC has received the DS-3032?
On receipt of the DS-3032 (pdf), the NVC will mail the "agent" or visa applicant instructions on the steps which must be taken to apply for the immigrant visa, including information on payment of the visa processing fee of $400 per visa applicant. The fee is paid to the NVC which will provide the applicant with detailed information on method of payment. On payment of the fees, the NVC will mail the agent or visa applicant the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants which consists of the Form DS-230 Part I, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration - Biographic Data, and Form DS-2001, Applicant's Declaration of Qualification for Immigrant Visa Interview. The Form I-864 Affidavit of Support will be mailed to the petitioner.
Who completes the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864?
The petitioner, that is to say the American citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident who filed the immigrant visa petition on behalf of the visa applicant. The petitioner must complete an I-864 if filing a petition on behalf of a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, or if he or she filed an employment based petition or has a 5% or more ownership interest in the company which filed the petition. Further information is available from the Department of State's website. The I-864 will not be sent to the petitioner until the NVC has received the Affidavit of Support processing fee.
What do I do with the forms?
Complete the biographic data form DS-230, for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. The form may be photocopied if insufficient copies are received. The completed DS-230 should be returned to the NVC.
Review the information concerning police certificates: All applicants 16 years and over are required to furnish a police certificates (certificate of good conduct) to cover any period of residence of twelve months or more since reaching the age of sixteen; the period of residence is six months if country of birth or current residence.
Assemble all of the requested documents required in support of the application and forward the form DS-2001, Applicant's Declaration of Qualification for Immigrant Visa Interview to the NVC. The documents must not be mailed to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Consulate. Required documents do have to be mailed to the NVC upon request.
What happens next?
On receipt of the forms DS-230, DS-2001 and all further required documents, the NVC will conduct any additional processing required and forward your file to the Immigrant Visa Section at the Frankfurt U.S. Consulate. Once your file has been received at the Consulate and all administrative processing is completed as well as visa numbers are available for numerical limited visa categories you will receive an invitation letter for the visa interview at the Consulate.
If you don’t reside in Germany your file will be forwarded to the Embassy/Consulate having jurisdiction over your place of residence.
How long is the processing time for an Immigrant Visa?
What is the next step? What documents do I need for my Immigrant Visa?
