How to apply for afamily-based immigrant visa

The U.S. relative files Form I-130

The U.S. citizen or permanent-resident relative files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The day USCIS receives it becomes your Priority Date—your place in the visa quota line.

Form	Purpose	Fee	USCIS Link
I-130	Petition for Alien Relative	$675	File I-130 →

U.S. citizens may petition for: spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents, adult children (21+), and siblings.

Permanent residents may petition for: spouse and unmarried children.

NVC (National Visa Center) processing

After USCIS approves the I-130 (typically 6–18 months), the case transfers to the State Department's National Visa Center (NVC). NVC assigns an NVC Case Number and sends a Welcome Letter.

NVC holds the file until your priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin, then activates the case.

Monthly Visa Bulletin → Priority dates explained →

Pay the immigrant visa fees

Once your priority date is current, NVC instructs you to pay the following fees through the CEAC online system:

Item	Purpose	Fee	Pay At
IV Application Fee	Immigrant Visa Application Processing (per applicant)	$325 / person	CEAC →
AOS Review Fee	Affidavit of Support Review	$120	CEAC →

⚠️ Fees must be paid by ACH bank transfer—credit cards are not accepted.

Complete DS-260 and upload documents

After paying the fees, complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, in CEAC and upload all required civil documents.

Form / Document	Purpose	Submission	Official Link
DS-260	Immigrant Visa Electronic Application	Online via CEAC	CEAC DS-260 →
I-864	Affidavit of Support (signed by U.S. relative sponsor)	Upload PDF to CEAC	Download I-864 →

Civil document checklist:

• Two passport-style photos (must meet U.S. visa photo specifications)
• Applicant's passport copy (photo page)
• Birth certificate (with certified translation)
• Marriage / divorce certificates (if applicable, with translation)
• Police certificates from every country of residence since age 16
• Military service records (if applicable)
• Adoption documents (if applicable)
• Sponsor's last 3 years of tax records (W-2 or Tax Return)

For marriage-based green cards: bona fide marriage evidence

If you're applying for a marriage-based green card, you must also provide evidence that the marriage is genuine (bona fide), such as:

• Documentation showing joint ownership of property;
• A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence, meaning you both live at the same address together;
• Documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources;
• Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together;
• Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. Each affidavit must contain the full name and address of the person making the affidavit; date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired their knowledge of your marriage; and
• Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

I-864 Affidavit of Support — in detail

The U.S. relative who filed Form I-130 must also serve as the financial sponsor by completing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. The sponsor demonstrates financial capacity to support the green card applicant—ensuring the applicant will not become a public charge.

Income requirement: the sponsor must provide recent U.S. tax returns and show U.S. income sufficient to support all household members (including the beneficiary)—generally at least 125% of the federal poverty line. Qualifying income includes:

• Wages
• Investment income
• Rental income
• Pensions, Social Security, and other regular income

Required income documentation:

• Most recent 3 years of federal tax returns (IRS Tax Return Transcript or Form 1040)
• Most recent 6 months of pay stubs
• Employment Verification Letter from the employer
• W-2 or 1099 forms

If income is insufficient—two ways to qualify:

• Joint Sponsor: a second U.S. citizen or LPR who independently meets the 125% threshold and signs a separate I-864.
• Use assets: assets located in the U.S. or abroad can make up the shortfall. Asset value must be at least 5× the shortfall (or only 3× the shortfall if the beneficiary is the U.S. citizen sponsor's spouse).

Qualifying asset types:

• Bank deposits (savings, checking)
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
• Stocks, bonds, mutual funds
• Real estate (with title evidence and recent appraisal)

⚠️ All non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation can be self-certified by the translator (no notarization required), but must include the translator's name, signature, and a statement attesting to the accuracy of the translation.

NVC document review and interview scheduling

NVC reviews your DS-260 and uploaded civil documents. Once everything is in order, NVC marks the case "Documentarily Complete" and forwards it to the U.S. embassy or consulate you designated.

The embassy schedules your interview directly and notifies you (typically through CEAC or email).

⚠️ If documents are incomplete, NVC issues a Checklist Letter requesting additional materials—respond promptly to avoid delays.

Medical examination + consular interview

After receiving your interview notice, complete two things before interview day:

• Schedule the medical exam with the U.S. embassy's designated panel physician. Bring vaccination records.
• Organize interview documents: all originals, copies, passport, interview appointment letter, DS-260 confirmation page.

What to bring on interview day:

• Interview appointment letter
• Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond interview date)
• Two recent passport photos
• All civil documents originals + certified translations
• Medical exam results (sealed envelope from panel physician)
• Original I-864 + sponsor's W-2 / Tax Return
• Relationship evidence (for marriage cases: photos, letters, joint accounts)

DOS Consular Interview Guide →

Visa approval and U.S. entry

Approved applicants receive a sealed immigrant visa packet (do not open it before arrival). Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online, then travel to the United States.

Item	Purpose	Fee	Pay At
USCIS Immigrant Fee	Green card production and mailing	$235	Pay Online →

You become a permanent resident the moment a CBP officer admits you to the United States. CBP stamps an I-551 admission stamp in your passport, valid as a temporary green card for one year.

Receive your physical green card

USCIS mails the physical green card (Form I-551) to your U.S. address, typically within several months of entry.

If you move during this period, update your address through myUSCIS immediately and file a USPS change of address—otherwise the card may be lost in transit.

How to update your address → Check case status →