Form DS-260, also known as the “Immigrant Visa Electronic Application,” is a U.S. Department of State form that is used by individuals who are seeking to apply for an immigrant visa to the United States. This form is typically used by individuals who have been granted immigrant status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are eligible to immigrate to the United States.
The DS-260 form is submitted online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and is used to collect information about the applicant, including their personal details, family information, employment history, education, and other relevant information. It is a crucial part of the immigrant visa application process, and it is used by the U.S. government to determine the eligibility of the applicant for an immigrant visa.
Once the DS-260 form is submitted and processed, the applicant may be required to attend an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. During the interview, a consular officer will review the information provided in the DS-260 form, conduct a background check, and assess the applicant’s eligibility for the immigrant visa.
It’s important for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States to carefully complete the DS-260 form and provide accurate and truthful information, as any inaccuracies or misrepresentations could result in delays or denials of the visa application.
What civil documents must be submitted with the Form DS-260?
When you submit Form DS-260 for an immigrant visa application, you will typically be required to provide various civil documents as part of the supporting documentation. The specific civil documents you need to submit can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the type of immigrant visa you are applying for. However, common civil documents that may be requested include:
- Birth Certificates: You will typically need to provide a birth certificate for yourself and, if applicable, for any accompanying family members who are also applying for immigrant visas. These documents should be issued by the appropriate government authority in your country of birth.
- Marriage Certificates: If you are married and your spouse is accompanying you to the United States, you will generally need to provide a marriage certificate. This document should verify the legal validity of your marriage.
- Divorce or Death Certificates: If you have previously been married and divorced or if your spouse has passed away, you may need to provide divorce decrees or death certificates to establish your marital history.
- Adoption Certificates: If you or any accompanying family members were adopted, adoption certificates may be required to demonstrate the legal adoption relationship.
- Police Certificates: Many applicants are required to provide police certificates or clearances from all countries where they have lived for a certain period, typically one year or more, since reaching the age of 16. These certificates help assess an applicant’s criminal history.
- Military Records: If you have served in the military in any country, you may need to provide military service records, discharge papers, or other relevant documents.
- Photographs: You may be asked to submit passport-sized photographs that meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- Other Civil Documents: Depending on your individual circumstances, you might need to provide additional documents, such as court records, affidavits, or documents related to any legal name changes.
It’s important to carefully review the specific document requirements provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will attend your immigrant visa interview. The requirements can vary by location and visa category. Additionally, make sure that all documents submitted are in the required format and have been properly translated into English if they are in a foreign language.
What is National Visa Center processing?
The National Visa Center (NVC) is an agency within the U.S. Department of State responsible for the initial processing of immigrant visa applications for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States. The NVC plays a crucial role in the immigrant visa application process, especially for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas. Here’s an overview of the NVC processing:
- Receipt of Approved Petitions: Once the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves an immigrant visa petition, such as a family-sponsored or employment-based petition, the approved petition is forwarded to the NVC.
- Case Creation: The NVC creates a case for the applicant and assigns a unique case number. This case number is used to track the application throughout the process.
- Fee Payment: The NVC will notify the applicant (or their petitioner, if applicable) about the necessary visa processing fees. The fees typically include the visa application processing fee and the Affidavit of Support fee (for family-sponsored cases). The fees must be paid online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
- Submission of Required Documents: The NVC provides a checklist of required civil documents and supporting documentation. This typically includes forms like the DS-260 immigrant visa application, civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates, police clearances, and other relevant documents. Once all required documents are submitted online, the NVC reviews them for completeness.
- Visa Bulletin and Waiting for Visa Numbers: For family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories, visa numbers may not be immediately available due to visa quotas and per-country limits. The NVC will monitor visa bulletin updates to determine when visa numbers become available for the applicant’s category.
- Medical Examination and Affidavit of Support: The applicant is typically required to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician and submit the results. If the immigrant visa category requires financial sponsorship, the petitioner must submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
- Interview Appointment: Once the applicant’s priority date becomes current (if applicable), the NVC schedules an immigrant visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. The applicant will receive interview instructions and documentation from the NVC.
- Transfer to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate: The NVC transfers the case file and relevant documents to the U.S. embassy or consulate where the interview will take place.
- Interview and Visa Issuance: At the scheduled interview, a consular officer will review the applicant’s documents, conduct an interview, and make a decision on the visa application. If approved, the immigrant visa will be issued, allowing the applicant to travel to the United States.