When an immigrant or nonimmigrant is outside the U.S. seeking to enter lawfully, or if he or she is inside the U.S. but cannot adjust status to permanent residence without returning to their home country to attend an interview, then they will go through a U.S. consulate or embassy through the U.S. Department of State’s NVC.

In most scenarios, Nonimmigrant visas (NIV) begin via the DS-160 through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) online, while Immigrant visas (IV) begin via the DS-260 through the CEAC. Applicants for IVs through relatives begin by filing the relevant form through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and, once USCIS approves the case, they transfer the file to the NVC for continued processing via CEAC.

Once you have a case with NVC, you can log into the CEAC account using your NVC Case Number and NVC Invoice ID Number to access the DS-260.

NVC will terminate your application and cancel your IV if you fail to maintain contact and proceed on your case each year. You should maintain communication with NVC during the course of your case. If you fail to take necessary actions to continue your case each year, NVC will terminate the case. If you fail to contact NVC or continue your case within a year, you might have to repay the IV and AOS fees.

Immigrant visa petitions first go through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before being transferred to the NVC. If your case is still with USCIS, then the delay exists there, and you should review USCIS Questions for more information about USCIS processing. If USCIS has already approved the immigrant visa application and sent the case to NVC, then a delay could be caused by a number of possible factors. You can check your Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) account to make sure there are no outstanding requests. You can see in the message center if NVC has requested additional evidence from you. You can also see in the evidence pages whether a document has been “submitted,” “accepted,” or “rejected.” If something has been “rejected,” then you need to resubmit it with the required corrections. If you do not have any outstanding evidentiary requests, then your case might be within normal processing times or might not have a visa number available. Verify that your priority date is current, if that applies, through the Visa Bulletin.

NVC will expedite immigrant visa cases in rare situations. If a visa is not available in your case (check the Visa Bulletin), then NVC probably won’t expedite it. If a visa is available, and the case involves a life or death medical emergency, you should request a letter from your physician on their letterhead explaining how a life or death medical emergency exists, and then contact your attorney for assistance.

Log into your CEAC account using your NVC Case Number and NVC Invoice ID Number, which can be found on the notice you received from NVC when your case started. You need to access the DS-260 application homepage and click on the payment links for both the Immigrant Visa ($325) and Affidavit of Support ($120) fees. You need your bank checking account number and router number.

If you need to file a waiver for having lived in the U.S. unlawfully (without a visa), then you cannot file the waiver application until after you pay the NVC fees (see how to pay the fees in the previous section). Some people qualify to apply for the I-601A waiver of unlawful presence while living inside the U.S. before traveling to the consulate/embassy abroad for their interview. Other people have to wait and file an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility grounds after attending their interview at the consulate/embassy abroad. The NVC should not schedule you for an immigrant visa interview until USCIS approves the I-601A, which means that I-601A delays will impact the time it takes for you to get your interview. You should check the USCIS Processing Times for your waiver or other pending application by following the instructions here. If your USCIS case is within normal processing times, then you have to continue waiting. If your USCIS case is outside normal processing times, then please contact your attorney.

If you received a message from NVC saying that your case is “documentarily complete,” then congratulations! You have submitted all required documents, paid all the necessary fees, and NVC has placed you in line for an immigrant visa appointment at the consulate or embassy. Now, you just have to wait for your appointment. If you feel like you have been waiting too long for your visa appointment after receiving a “documentarily complete” letter, then please check the Visa Appointment Wait Times for the appropriate consulate/embassy with jurisdiction over your interview. If you have been waiting too long outside the wait times, please contact your attorney for assistance.

Generally, you need to bring your appointment notice and UID paperwork (if any), DS-260 application and confirmation page, the original documents you filed with NVC (e.g. I-864, birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees), approved USCIS forms (e.g. I-130, I-601A), your valid passport, police certificate(s), criminal records including certified dispositions, immigration court orders (if you were in removal proceedings), and two passport-style photographs. For a more complete list and country-specific details, review the recommendations for the NVC Interview Preparation.

If you attended your consular interview and were granted an immigrant visa to enter the U.S., then you do not have to wait to travel, and should enter the U.S. as soon as possible prior to the visa expiration. Once you have your passport and visa, you need to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. You can do so online yourself, or contact your attorney for assistance. Pay it as soon as you’re able, because USCIS will not produce and send your permanent resident card (green card) until you pay it.