Processing Us Green Card Petition Abroad

By Author: Nancy Mervin
Total Articles: 56
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The green card holder or lawful permanent resident in the US has the right to live and work in the US. The USCIS office in the US approves the family green card petition it received from Department of Homeland Security and sends the petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).

NVC does the following:

• A case number is assigned
• Choice of Address and Agent, Form DS-3032 is sent to the applicant who selects an agent. The agent can be anyone, including the applicant. All future letters from NVC will be mailed (except for the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864) about processing the immigrant visa case to the agent. The postal address should be correct and kept up-to-date.
• Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 processing bill is sent to the petitioner
• After petitioner pays the I-864 processing fee the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support is sent to the petitioner
• After the applicant sends Form DS-3032 Choice of Address and Agent to NVC, the bill for immigrant visa (IV) processing fee is sent to the agent
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... • After the agent pays the immigrant visa application processing fee, form DS-230, NVC sends an instruction package to the agent Reviews information for technical correctness and completeness.
• When the case file is complete sends the petition to the embassy or consulate where the applicant will apply for a visa
NVC instructions should be followed carefully and only things they ask for should be sent.

During immigrant visa processing bills are sent at appropriate time by NVC. The Bill for processing the I-864, Affidavit of Support is sent to the petitioner and Bill for immigrant visa processing is sent to the agent.
With the bills a return envelope with the correct address is sent by NVC.

Things to remember:

• When paying the fees the return envelope provided to you should be used.

• Correct postage should be put on the envelope
• Don't pay the bill until the NVC tells you to do so
• Don't send payments to the NVC at Portsmouth, New Hampshire

To the agent or the applicant an appointment package is sent which states the applicant’s interview date and also about specific requirements of the visa. It includes instructions on where to go to have the required medical examination.
Following documents are required along immigration Form I-130:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce or death certificate of any previous spouse
• Police certificate from all places lived since age 16
• Medical examination
• Form I-864 Affidavit of Support completed by the petitioner/ sponsor is required as proof for financial support
• Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, both Part I and Part II
• Two immigrant visa photos
• Proof of the marriage and the husband/wife relationship
• Payment of immigrant processing fees

Proof that the marriage is genuine applicant should bring marriage photographs and other proof. If documents are not in English copy of the translation is required. The consular officer may ask for more information.

Copies of civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates taken to the immigrant visa interview should be clear and legible. Original documents can then be returned to you. For processing Form I-130 you can appoint an agent to take care of the paperwork abroad.