Consulate General of the United States Jerusalem

After analyzing the large number of incoming emails we receive (we average more than 1,000 messages every month), we are providing this automatic response to answer the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive.    

I am a friend of the applicant and have sent an inquiry, but have not received case specific responses.  Why? 

We are prohibited under the U.S. Privacy Act and INA 222(f) from providing information about specific visa applications to third parties.  The applicant, petitioner or lawyer (with a complete G-28 on file) is the only parties who will receive a case specific response. 

As an American, how can I file an immigrant petition for my spouse or child or parent? 

Petitioners residing overseas are no longer be able to file routine Forms I-130,
Petitions for Alien Relative, with U.S. Embassies and Consulates except in locations where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a public counter presence within the Embassy or Consulate.  Petitioners residing overseas in countries where USCIS does not have a public counter presence are required to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago lockbox.  

Filing Instructions:

Petitioners residing overseas, who wish to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, may do the following:

If the petitioner resides in a country in which USCIS has a public counter presence, the Form I-130 may be filed directly with the USCIS field office (see instructions below) or through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the below addresses.

If the petitioner resides in a country where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130 must be filed with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below, unless the petitioner requests and is granted an exception based on one of the criteria described below:

USCIS Chicago Lockbox addresses for regular mail deliveries:

USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

USCIS Chicago Lockbox address for express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-130
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox, please see the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283. 

How can I pay the I-130 filing fees? 

Petitioners residing in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, or Jerusalem, who wish to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, may do so by filing the I-130 and a money order, cashier’s check, or a personal check drawn on an American bank for the appropriate fee, with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below: 

USCIS Chicago Lockbox addresses for regular mail deliveries: 

USCIS

P.O. Box 804625

Chicago, IL 60680-4107 

USCIS Chicago Lockbox address for express mail and courier deliveries: 

USCIS

Attn: I-130

131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517 

For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox and the associated fees, please see the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/ or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283.

How long does it take between filing the petition and visa issuance? 

The processing time varies from case to case.   Most immigrant visa interview appointments are scheduled by the National Visa Center, (NVC) once the required documents have been received.  After your appointment is set, NVC will forward the cases to post for action.  We assure you that we will do everything we can to process your case as quickly as we can (you are important to us), but applicants should not make travel plans or commitments prior to having the immigrant visa in hand. 

Where is the Consular Section located?  How can I contact you? 

The best way to contact us is by email at Jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov.  We are located at 14 David Flusser in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem.  Our mailing address is P.O. Box 290, Jerusalem 91002.  Additional contact information is available at the following link:

http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/contact_us4.html 

Please note that all visa interviews for Immigrant Visas take place at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem at the above mentioned address.  

Where can I get more information about Immigrant Visas and the NVC? 

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: www.uscis.gov.

Where can I get more information about the Diversity Visa?

Please visit this site for more information on Diversity Visas: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html.  Be aware that there are currently numerous scams related to Diversity Visas.  There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form.

The Kentucky Consular Center no longer mails notification letters and does not use email to notify DV entrants of their selection in the DV program. Therefore, all entrants may check the status of their entries and whether they were selected through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website. Additionally, Entrant Status Check will provide successful selectees instructions on how to proceed with their application. 

When will I get an appointment? 

NVC will schedule your appointment after you notify them that you have all of your required documents and you have mailed a signed checklist so indicating that you are ready to proceed with your immigrant visa.  You will receive an appointment letter in the mail when your appointment has been scheduled by NVC and your case will then be forwarded to the U.S. Consulate - Jerusalem.  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.  

If I cancel my appointment when will I be rescheduled? 

Please notify us as far in advance as possible so we can schedule another applicant into that appointment slot.  Upon receipt of your e-mail, we will schedule you for the next available appointment.    

What documents do I need to bring? 

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 only if the documents are other than English, Arabic or Hebrew.  Passports are always required.  For more details about original documents, please visit the following link: 

What do you mean, certified translation? 

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.  Translations are only required for documents in languages other than English, Arabic or Hebrew. 

Who must attend the interview?  Do I need to bring all my children? 

All immigrant visa applicants must appear at the interview (this includes children).  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. 

Can I pick up the visa the same day? 

Because of the administrative processing associated with visa issuance, it is not possible to issue visas on the same day of the interview.  All immigrant visa 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 by courier when they are ready.   

How I can register for the courier? 

You should visit the following United States Visa Service Website at and click the [Log In] button then follow the instructions. 

Do I owe any money for the visas? 

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 schedule can be found at the following link:

Fees can ONLY be paid by cash at the U.S. Consulate at the time of your visa interview.  American petitioners may pay by International/U.S. Credit Card at the U.S. Consulate at the time of the applicant’s visa interview.   

How do I book my Medical Exam? 

We can only accept Medical Examinations from our list of authorized Panel Physicians.  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. 

Where should I file for my waiver request?

If you wish to file a waiver for your ineligibility, you must file this directly through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Lockbox facility.

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox addresses:

For U.S. Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 21600

Phoenix, AZ 85036 

For Express mail or Courier deliveries: 

USCIS

ATTN: 601/212 Foreign Filers

1820 E. Skyharbor, Circle S, Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034 

For additional information, please see the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov and www.uscis.gov/i-601 or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283. 

How do I check my priority date? 

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.

How do I replace a lost, stolen or expired (I-551) green card?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, issues I-551 (green cards) in the United States.  The Consulate does NOT issue replacement green cards. New green cards can ONLY be obtained in the USCIS office in the United States.

If you are overseas and your green card was lost, stolen, or has expired and you HAVE been out of the U.S. for less 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 foil from either the U.S. Embassy - Tel Aviv or from the U.S. Consulate General – Jerusalem.

For more information on how to apply at the U.S. Embassy - Tel Aviv please contact them at nivtelaviv@state.gov.  Information is also available on their website.

To request this service at the U.S. Consulate General - Jerusalem, you must send an email to jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov and request an appointment for the boarding foil services. In your email you must include your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the U.S. (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number).  Appointments for this service are only available on Friday mornings.   

Following are the documents required for the Boarding Foil:  

1. One photo
2.  Your green card or evidence that you are a Legal Permanent Resident applicant.
3.  Your passport (to prove that you have been outside the United States for less than 365 consecutive days).
4.  If you have the temporary green card, please bring in an original proof from the USCIS that you applied for the removal of the conditional status.
5. Completed, signed I-90 Form.   

I am LPR (green card holder) and had a baby overseas.  How do I return to the U.S. with my child? 

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 immigrant visa, or 

2) You are an LPR (green card holder) and your child was born during your temporary visit abroad provided 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 U.S. Consulate General - Jerusalem, you must send an email to jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov to request an appointment.  You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, status in the U.S. (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number), as well as your child’s name, your child’s date of birth and passport number.   Appointments for this service are only available on Friday mornings, and both the parent and child must appear.   

I am LPR (green card holder) and have been outside the U.S. for more than a year?  Can I return to reside there? 

Legal permanent residents (LPRs) who have remained outside of the U.S. for more than 365 days have, in most cases, lost their permanent resident status.  Such individuals may apply for permission to apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1); however, to obtain this visa they must 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 to jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov to request an appointment.  You must include in the email your name, date of birth, passport number, former status in the U.S. (permanent, conditional, etc), and your Alien number (A number).   Appointments for this service are only available on Friday mornings. 

I am LPR (green card holder) and wish to remain outside the United States for an extended period.  Can I apply for a reentry permit? 

Reentry permits are only issued by USCIS.  You should visit www.uscis.gov for further information.  We are unable to assist you with this process. 

I am LPR (Green card holder) and wish to relinquish my green card (I-551).  How do I do that? 

You are welcome to surrender your I-551 when you next apply for a non-immigrant visa (at any U.S. Consular Section), or when you next appear for other scheduled business at the Consulate General.  If you have a pressing need to do so sooner, you may send us an email at jerusalemivinquiries@state.gov and we will schedule you for an appointment to appear before a Consular Officer to undertake the relinquishment.  The form you will need to complete is available at http://athens.usembassy.gov/uscis/i-407.pdf.  You may also apply through the consular section at the U.S. Embassy - Tel Aviv.  For information on how to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, please contact them via e-mail nivtelaviv@state.gov.

How can I expedite the issuance of my immigrant visa?   

We strongly encourage all visa applicants to review our Visa FASTLANE Tips at http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/fastlane4.html.  This section of our website offers helpful tips that will help you be better prepared for the interview.  Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most cases are not ready for issuance on the interview day because applicants fail to complete all of the necessary steps.  If you are missing required documents on the day of your interview, you can anticipate a delay of at least one month before the visa can be issued.  Help yourself, and us, by having all of your documents in order on interview day. 

How can I send missing documents to your office? 

Missing documents can be sent via postal mail (P.O. Box 290, Jerusalem 91002) OR via a courier service like UPS or WASSEL after you register on-line.  Additionally, you may "drop off" documents in person (in an UNSEALED envelop that is clearly marked on the outside with your name and case number) between 8:00 am - 12:30 pm at the Front Reception at 14 David Flusser, Jerusalem 93392.  All documents, including those brought in person, must be processed and reviewed according to the procedures outlined above.  Hence, dropping off a document in person does NOT necessarily speed up the review process. 

How can I get a response to a specific question that was not addressed above?   

If your question can be answered by the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) above, our office will consider that your question has been satisfactorily answered.  If you have a specific question about your case you may contact us at the following email addresses: 

Petitioner or Beneficiaries may send inquiries to: JerusalemIVinquiries@state.gov

Attorneys or Agents with a complete G-28 on file may send inquiries to JerusalemIVAttorneys@state.gov 

To improve response times, ALL email inquiries are REQUIRED to include the following information in the SUBJECT LINE of the message:  CASE NUMBER, BENEFICIARY’S FULL NAME (i.e.  JRS2005205905, John Doe)     

Please do NOT send inquires to both email addresses listed above.  We make every attempt to answer inquires within two business days (please note that the Consular Sections observes a Monday through Friday work week.  We are closed on American and most local holidays.)