NVC Processing (2024)

Step 2: Begin National Visa Center (NVC) Processing

After USCIS approves your petition, they will transfer your case to the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing. The first step in this processing is the creation of your case in our system. Once this is complete, we will send you a Welcome Letter by e-mail or physical mail. With the information in this letter, you can log in to our Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) to check your status, receive messages, and manage your case.

Once you submit your fees, forms, and supporting documents to NVC, we will review your case to ensure you provided all the documentation required to schedule the immigrant visa interview. Interviews are based on the availability of appointments offered at the Embassy/Consulate.

To determine which cases NVC is currently reviewing, please refer to theNVC Timeframes pageon the right navigation bar.

Number of Visas Each Year is Limited in Some Categories

United States law limits the number of immigrant visa numbers available each year in certain visa categories. This means that even if USCIS approves an immigrant visa petition for you, you may not get an immigrant visa number immediately. In addition, U.S. law also limits the number of visas available in certain categories by country. For limited categories, the availability of immigrant visa numbers depends on the date your petition was filed and the number of others waiting for the same visa category. The date your petition was filed is called your priority date.

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Priority dates are posted monthly on the Visa Bulletin,which providesup-to-date priority dates for cases NVC is processing. Please note that while NVC attempts to contact all applicants when their visa number is available, you can also use the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin to check whether a visa is available for your petition. If a visa is available and NVC has not yet contacted you, please let us know by using our Public Inquiry Form.

Important Notice: Termination of Registration:

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(g) provides that the “Secretary of State shall terminate the registration (petition) of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year” of notice of visa availability. The petition may be reinstated if, within two years of notice of visa availability, the alien establishes that the “failure to apply was for reasons beyond the alien’s control.” Therefore, if you do not respond to notices from NVC within one year you risk termination of your petition under this section of law and would lose the benefits of that petition, such as your priority date.

NVC Processing (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get answer from NVC? ›

It can take 60-90 days for the NVC to review documents submitted. If you have concerns submit an inquiry through AskNVC instead of just submitting the documents again.

What happens after NVC processing? ›

The NVC then checks your DS-260 form and the supporting documents, and forwards them to the consulate that is responsible for scheduling and conducting your immigrant visa interview. The embassy or consulate then makes the final decision on your immigrant visa petition after the interview.

How do I know if my NVC case is complete? ›

‍A Step-By-Step Guide To Checking Your NVC Case Status
  1. ‍Step 1: Open the U.S. Department of State's Visa Status Checker.
  2. ‍Step 2: Enter Your Immigration Visa Number.
  3. Step 3: Review Your Case Status.
Jan 17, 2023

What to do if NVC is taking too long? ›

  1. Once you've paid all fees, you must submit all the required documents to the NVC. ...
  2. If significant delays occur or if there are urgent circ*mstances, you can contact the NVC directly.
  3. The processing time at the NVC varies depending on several factors, including priority dates, payment processing, and document submission.

How long does NVC take to schedule an interview after documentarily qualified in 2024? ›

How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.

What is the priority date for NVC case status? ›

The date you filed your immigrant visa petition is called the Priority Date and you will need to check the Visa Bulletin. If the Priority Date matches or will soon match the most recent date allowed (the Cut-Off date), the NVC will request the immigrant visa application fee and all documents.

Can NVC reject your case? ›

If NVC finds an error on a required document, they will reject the document and tell you what needs to be corrected.

How long after DS-260 for interview? ›

After the DS-260 is submitted, you will need to upload the required supporting documents. Once those are reviewed and approved, you are in the documentarily qualified queue. The length of time until interview varies widely with the backlog at the consulate - 2 months to 2 years.

How do I know NVC approved my documents? ›

If NVC determines you have paid the necessary fees, submitted the required immigrant visa application, Affidavit of Support, and supporting documents to NVC, you will receive an email that your case is documentarily complete and NVC will work with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment for ...

How many cases are pending in NVC? ›

Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report
Number of IV applicants whose cases are documentarily complete at NVC and ready for interview as of April 30387,068
Number of eligible IV applicants still pending the scheduling of an interview after May 2024 appointment scheduling was completed337,307
1 more row

How long will NVC review my case? ›

Following this, you'll receive a “Welcome Letter” containing essential details like your Case Number and Invoice ID, signifying the beginning of active case preparation. Document Submission and Review: The subsequent 1 to 4 months are dedicated to reviewing your submitted documents, including fee payments.

How long to wait for an interview after an NVC approved? ›

Since they tackle one month at a time, it's tough to predict precisely when your case will get scheduled. A good rule of thumb is to wait about 90 days from when they tell you that your case is "documentarily qualified" before reaching out. However, some people might need to have their visa application expedited.

How fast is NVC processing? ›

The longer you take to submit these items, the longer it will take for the NVC to process your case. You can check out the most recent updates on NVC processing timeframes on the State Department's website. The National Visa Center processes most cases within 2.5 months, but timelines vary by case.

Why is my case stuck at NVC? ›

The National Visa Center (NVC) may encounter office or administrative challenges for various reasons. These challenges often stem from the complexities of managing a high volume of immigration cases and immigrant visa backlogs. Each NVC delay has its unique set of documentation, requirements, and circ*mstances.

How to speed up case in NVC? ›

If a visa is available for your relative's category, and their case involves a life or death medical emergency, processing of your case may be expedited. To request a review for expedite, please submit a scanned letter (or statement) to NVCExpedite@state.gov from a physician (or medical facility).

Does NVC send an interview letter by email? ›

After the National Visa Center (NVC) schedules your visa interview appointment, they will send you, your petitioner, and your agent/attorney (if applicable) an email noting the appointment date and time.

Why have I not received my NVC welcome letter? ›

A: If you haven't received your National Visa Center (NVC) Welcome Letter, the first step is to check if the NVC has received your case from USCIS. You can do this by contacting the NVC directly.

References

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