Frequently Asked Questions - Immigrant Visas
Q: I have sent multiple inquiries, but have not gotten a response. Why?
A: Our hard-working Immigrant Visa Unit receives thousands of inquiries every month. However, experience has shown some applicants call on the phone, send an e-mail and send a fax, all asking the same question or a variation of that question. Regrettably, we do not have a separate unit dedicated specifically to the hundreds of emails and faxes we receive every month; the staff who answer your inquiries are also responsible for processing the thousands of Immigrant Visa applications we receive every year. Thus, in order to serve applicants faster, we simply cannot continue to respond to inquiries requesting confirmation of receipt of documents or faxes. In addition, we hope that this list of FAQs will further ease this burden. We will truly attempt to answer every legitimate question not covered by these FAQs, and do so as quickly as possible.
Q: Where can I get more information about Immigrant Visas and the NVC?
A: You can learn more about immigrant visas and the National Visa Center, at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1309.html
For information about the interview process, please visit our website at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html
A glossary of technical definitions of terms for visas can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/glossary/glossary_1363.html.
Another useful website, for the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS), responsible for adjudicating waivers, processing green cards and granting U.S. citizenship, can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov
Q: When will I get an appointment?
A: If your inquiry concerns an immigrant visa case where the I-130 petition was filed at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, please be aware that there is a high volume of cases waiting to be scheduled for appointments. Resource shortages may delay processing for a number of months after we receive notification that you have all of your required documents. Please remember to bring ORIGINAL documents of birth, marriage, divorce certificates, etc. Thank you for your patience. If you have submitted a checklist and 6 months have elapsed and you have not received an interview date yet, please inform us immediately.
If NVC sent you a letter stating that your file is complete and it has been sent to Jerusalem for scheduling, the file has, in fact, NOT been sent to Jerusalem. Rather, it is waiting at the National Visa Center (NVC) until an appointment is scheduled. You will receive an appointment letter in the mail when your appointment has been scheduled by NVC. You can expect to receive this appointment letter several weeks before your appointment. Please remember to bring ORIGINAL documents of birth, marriage, divorce certificates, etc.
If your inquiry concerns an immigrant visa case where the I-130 petition was filed in the U.S. and it has not been scheduled for an appointment, please send your inquiry directly to the National Visa Center. To contact NVC, please forward your inquiries by email to: NVCInquiry@state.gov. If you have been informed by USCIS that your petition has been approved and forwarded to the Department of State, please contact NVC directly.
Q: If I cancel my appointment when will I be rescheduled?
A: Rescheduled appointments generally occur 2 to 3 months from when we were notified of the appointment cancellation, due largely to our high volume of cases and workload. This may vary from case to case, due to visa number availability and the visa class being requested.
Q: Where will the interview take place?
A: All visa interviews for Immigrant Visas take place at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. We are located at 27 Nablus Road (Rechov Schem) in Jerusalem.
Q: What documents do I need to bring?
A: The required documents are listed on the checklist provided by NVC or on our prior communications with you. Remember, however, that each case is different. Please remember to bring ORIGINAL records of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, etc., including birth certificates of the petitioner if the petitioner is a son, daughter or sibling of the applicant. Please bring photocopies and certified translations for us as well. Passports are always required. For more details about original documents, please visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3741.html.
Q: What do you mean, certified translation?
A: The document should be certified by someone who fluent in both English and the original language. The translator should append to the translation the statement, "I (name), certify that I am fluent in both English and (language)." The translator should then print and sign their name, and date their signature.
Q: Does the petitioner need to come to the interview?
A: Petitioners do not need to accompany the visa applicant on interview day, but they are welcome to attend.
Q: Who must attend the interview? Do I need to bring all my children?
A: All immigrant visa applicants must appear at the interview. Waiting times at the Consulate can sometimes be long. Please be prepared to wait, and know that we will process your application as quickly as we are able.
Q: Can I pick up the visa the same day?
A: Because of the administrative processing associated with visa issuance, it is not possible to issue visas on the same day of the interview. Assuming that the applicant appears with all required documents and the case does not require additional administrative processing, the visa could be ready in as little as one week. However, most cases do require additional processing, and this can take significant time. Please do not make travel plans until you have your visa in hand. Visas will be returned to applicants when they are ready by courier.
Q: Do I owe any money for the visas?
A: If you have been receiving documentation from the National Visa Center, then most likely you have already paid the visa fee. If not, the current IV fee is U.S. $400.00 per applicant regardless of age, and can be paid at the time of interview. Please do not pay the US $131.00 nonimmigrant (visitor) visa application fee unless you are applying for the special K-1 or K-3 visas for immigration. If this is the case, the fee may be paid at either the Israel Post Office or Cairo-Amman Bank.
Q: How do I book my Medical Exam?
A: We can only accept Medical Examinations from our list of authorized Panel Physicians in Canada. Please visit this website for an up-to-date list of our panel physicians: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3739.html.
Q: How do I check the status of my waiver?
A: The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) adjudicates all waivers. If you have applied for a waiver, it is pending with USCIS. We will inform you as soon as we have received a response to your waiver request.
Q: How do I check my priority date?
A: The Department of State publishes the list of current priority dates every month (known as the Visa Bulletin). You can find the current one, as well as archived bulletins at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.
Q: How do I replace a lost, stolen or expired (I-551) greencard?
A: USCIS issues I-551 (greencards) in the United States. The Consulate does NOT issue replacement green cards. New green cards can only be obtained in the United States from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
If you are overseas and your green card was lost, stolen, or has expired and you HAVE not been out of the U.S. for more than 365 days (if you have been out of the U.S. for more than a year, you may have lost your status), you may request a boarding letter from either the US Embassy in Tel Aviv or from the US Consulate General in Jerusalem to allow you to return to the U.S. U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv accepts walk-ins for this service Monday through Friday from 8:30-9:00 a.m. Information on this service from the Embassy is available from nivtelaviv@state.gov and at: http://usembassy-israel.org.il/consular/lostiv.html
To request this service at the US Consulate in Jerusalem, you must send an email request to jerusalemiv@state.gov, requesting an appointment. You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and you’re Alien number (A number). Appointments for this service are given only on Friday mornings.
Q: I am LPR (greencard holder) and had a baby overseas. How do I return to the U.S. with my child?
A: The Consulate can provide you with a boarding letter for your child if:
1) Your child was born subsequent to issuance of your immigrant visa before you traveled to the United States on that visa
2) You are an LPR (greencard holder) and your child was born during your temporary visit abroad provided that the child is less than two years old and you have not returned to the U.S. since the birth of the child
To request this service at the US Consulate in Jerusalem, you must send an email request to jerusalemiv@state.gov, requesting an appointment. You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and you’re Alien number (A number), and your child's name, date of birth and passport number. Appointments for this service are given only on Friday mornings, and both the parent and child must appear.
Q: I am LPR (greencard holder) and have been outside the U.S. for more than a year? Can I return to reside there?
A: Legal permanent residents (LPRs) who have remained outside of the U.S. for more than 365 days have, in most cases, lost their resident status. Such individuals may apply for permission to apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1), but must be able to convince a consular officer that the reason for the extended absence from the U.S. was "beyond their control."
Applicants who wish to make this application should send an email request to jerusalemiv@state.gov, requesting an appointment. You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, former status in the US (permanent, conditional, etc), and you’re Alien number (A number).
Q: I am LPR (greencard holder) and wish to remain outside the United States for an extended period. Can I apply for a reentry permit?
A: Reentry permits are issued only by USCIS. You should visit www.uscis.gov for further information. We are unable to assist you with this process.