NVC

NVC stands for the National Visa Center, a part of the U.S. Department of State. The NVC plays a critical role in the immigration process, acting as the intermediary between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. embassies or consulates abroad for those applying for immigrant visas (green cards) through consular processing.

What Does the NVC Do?

After USCIS approves your petition (such as Form I-130 for family-sponsored or Form I-140 for employment-based immigration), they send your case to the NVC if you are pursuing consular processing outside of the United States. Here’s what the NVC handles in the process:

1. Case Creation: Once the NVC receives your case, they create a case number that will be used for all correspondence and payments related to your visa application.

2. Fee Processing: The NVC collects the visa application fees and other necessary payments before you can proceed with submitting the required documents.

3. Document Collection: The NVC requests and reviews the necessary documents for your visa application, such as the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), civil documents (birth and marriage certificates), police certificates, and more.

4. Scheduling Interviews: After all documents and fees are submitted and your Priority Date is current, the NVC will schedule your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. They will then transfer your case to the designated embassy or consulate for final processing.

Why Is the NVC Important?

The NVC ensures that all paperwork and fees are completed and collected before your interview abroad. It helps streamline the consular process, ensuring that the embassy or consulate has all the necessary information to make a decision on your visa application.

Key Points to Remember

• Stay Updated: You need to monitor communications from the NVC, as they will contact you for document submission and fee payments.

• Submit Documents Timely: Promptly submit all requested documents to avoid delays in your visa processing.

• Interview Preparation: The NVC will provide instructions for preparing for your visa interview, including what documents to bring and any required medical examinations.

Conclusion

The National Visa Center (NVC) is an essential part of the consular processing path for obtaining a green card. It collects fees, reviews documents, and schedules interviews to ensure that your application is complete before it reaches the U.S. embassy or consulate. Understanding how the NVC fits into your immigration journey is key to navigating the process successfully.

For more guidance on the NVC process, DIY My Green Card offers detailed support to help you complete your application and prepare for your consular interview. Contact us for more information!