Immigrant Visas
Visa Processing at the National Visa Center
On 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, Choice of Address and Agent Form and the petitioner an Affidavit of Support, processing fee bill.
What is a DS-3032 and what do I do with it?
The DS-3032 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.
Am I required to nominate an agent?
There is no requirement that you nominate an agent. The NVC may send all correspondence directly to you if you so wish. You should complete the relevant section of the DS-3032 and return the form directly to the NVC.
When is a DS-3032 not required?
A DS-3032 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.
What happens once the NVC has received the DS-3032?
On receipt of the DS-3032, 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 $380 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-I 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 web site. The I-864 will not be sent to the petitioner until the NVC has received the Affidavit of Support processing fee.
The petitioner should return the notarized I-864 to the NVC. The I-864 will be forwarded to the Embassy once NVC has completed the administrative processing of the application.
What do I do with the forms?
- Complete the biographic data form DS-230-I Part I, for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. The form may be photocopied if insufficient copies are received. The completed DS-230-I should be returned to the NVC.
- Review the information concerning police certificates: All applicants 16 years and over are required to furnish a police certificate (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 relevant 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 NVC or the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy. You will be required to furnish the original and one copy of all documents on the day of the formal visa interview and medical examination at the Embassy.
What happens next?
On receipt of the forms DS-230-I and DS-2001, the NVC will conduct any additional processing required and forward your file to the Immigrant Visa Unit at this Embassy.
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.