If your immigrant visa has expired before you could use it to travel to the U.S., you should contact the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issued your visa. You do not need to file a new petition with … Continued
The NVC may be able to expedite your relative’s visa processing if: (1) your relative is the beneficiary of an approved petition with the USCIS, (2) a visa is currently available for your relative’s immigrant category, and (3) there is … Continued
You must first request expedited processing from USCIS. Before you do so, it is very important to review the criteria outlined in the USCIS Policy Manual. Not every circumstance that fits under one of the USCIS expedite criteria categories results in expedited … Continued
If you have moved or plan on moving, you must notify the USCIS. For most people, the easiest way is to submit the change of address online, which will update your address for all pending applications or petitions at the … Continued
If this happens to you, please try the following: (1) call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or use one of USCIS’ e-tools, including Ask Emma, then (2) contact your local post office and ask them to initiate an investigation. The … Continued
While most immigrant visa petitions are filed in the United States, there are limited provisions for filing certain types of petition forms outside the United States, including the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. Filing Form I-130 Petitions in Exceptional Situations … Continued
The spouse of a U.S. citizen who is “regularly stationed abroad” in “qualifying employment” may be eligible for naturalization under INA section 319(b) on the basis of their marriage. Spouses eligible under this provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act … Continued
The USCIS will normally presume a foreign marriage is valid based on presentation of an official certified marriage certificate. As a general rule, the validity of a marriage is judged by the law of the place of where the marriage … Continued
Family Preference categories are available for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). Congress has provided for fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants, shown at the … Continued
Immediate relative (IR) visa types are based on a immediate family relationship with a United States citizen. These categories all fall within the Immediate Relative (IR) designation, for which there is currently no limit on the number of visas available, … Continued