Category Archives: adjustment of status

Notice of Intent to Revoke I-130 or I-129F Petition: Big Stumbling Block to Overcome in Marriage-Based Green Card Case

Posted on July 30, 2016 | Comments Off on Notice of Intent to Revoke I-130 or I-129F Petition: Big Stumbling Block to Overcome in Marriage-Based Green Card Case

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In marriage-based green card cases, USCIS’ approval of an I-130 petition does not entitle you to an immigrant visa or adjustment to permanent residence. Likewise, mere approval of an I-129F petition does not necessarily mean you will get the K-1 fiancé(e) visa. Until you are admitted to the U.S. as an immigrant or you adjust status, USCIS may revoke the approval of the petition at any time, for good and sufficient cause.

Some petitions may be automatically revoked, such as when the petitioner withdraws the petition, divorces the beneficiary, or dies and section 204(l) survivor benefits do not apply. Other petitions may be revoked on notice when USCIS determines it issued the approval in error. A Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) is a big stumbling block to overcome when seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Why is the Notice of Intent to Revoke a Big Stumbling Block?  

An approved I-130 petition by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse allows you to apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate or file for adjustment of status within the U.S. (if eligible). An approved I-129F petition permits you to apply for a K-1 visa to come to the U.S., marry the U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of arrival, and then file for a green card. Getting the petition approved is just a preliminary step.

USCIS may seek to reverse its decision and revoke the approval based on information or evidence that it did not previously consider. The information or evidence need not have been unavailable or undiscoverable at the time the petition was approved. A NOIR may be based on plain USCIS error, such as overlooking a prior marriage fraud determination or lacking information or evidence discovered by the U.S. Consulate.

Receiving a Notice of Intent to Revoke is disheartening, especially when you have already completed the visa application process and attended your visa interview. Even if the NOIR is based on misinterpretations of the facts, false allegations, or erroneous conclusions, a full and timely response is still required to keep the approval of the petition and continue with the green card process.

How Does the Revocation Process Work?

Once you are permanent resident, revocation of the petition approval is no longer possible. Instead, the U.S. government must use rescission or removal (deportation) proceedings to take your green card away.

The revocation process may begin at any time after the petition is approved, but before you adjust to permanent residence or before you are admitted to the U.S. on an immigrant visa.

When USCIS, on its own initiative,  determines it approved an I-130 or I-129F in error, it retrieves the petition from the USCIS office, consular office, or National Visa Center (NVC) for possible revocation.

In other cases, the U.S. Consulate initiates revocation by sending the case back to USCIS for further review, due to negative information it obtained during review of the visa application or during its interview of the visa applicant.  The consular officer typically denies the visa application under INA section 221(g) (temporary refusal of immigrant visa), pending USCIS’ review of the returned petition. The Consulate returns the petition to USCIS with a  memorandum explaining why it believes the petition should not have been approved or is no longer approvable.

Consulates return immigrant petitions to the National Visa Center, which then route them to the appropriate USCIS offices.

Case Status Information

When a petition is returned and relocated to USCIS, the status of the petition is logged into the national USCIS database system, which in turn updates the Case Status Online system on USCIS’ website.

Not all the USCIS service centers issue receipt notices to petitioners, informing them that the petition is now at a particular USCIS office. For many months (sometimes six months to over 12 months), petitioners often cannot obtain specific case status information through the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) or Case Status Online, until USCIS issues a decision reaffirming the approval or a Notice of Intent to Revoke.

Notice Reaffirming Approval or Notice of Intent to Revoke

Upon receipt of the returned petition, USCIS prepares the case for additional review and forwards it to the adjudications officer who will evaluate the reasons provided by the Consulate for the return.

If USCIS finds the petition is not revocable for the reasons stated by the Consulate, it will reaffirm the petition and return it to the Consulate with an explanation of its decision not to revoke the petition.

If USCIS agrees with the Consulate’s reasoning, it will issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke to the petitioner. A NOIR must be based on “good and sufficient cause.” This means there is evidence in the record, if unexplained and unrebutted, would support a denial of the petition.

A NOIR is a letter to the petitioner fully explaining why USCIS intends to revoke a previously approved petition. USCIS must provide derogatory information unknown to the petitioner or applicant in the NOIR. The petitioner has an opportunity to rebut the allegations and present additional information or evidence before USCIS makes a decision.

USCIS gives the petitioner a specific time frame (usually 30 days) to respond. Petitioners may request additional time if they need it for legitimate reasons, like obtaining documentation from abroad.

If the petitioner does not provide a full and timely explanation on why the petition should not be revoked, and support it with additional evidence, USCIS will revoke the petition. When the approval of a petition is revoked, you may no longer use it to immigrate to the United States.

Problem with K-1 Petitions

K-1 visa petitions are especially problematic because they expire after four months from the date of approval by USCIS (or date of last action by U.S. Consulate).  An expired petition may be revalidated by USCIS or the U.S. Consulate in four-month increments upon finding that the K-1 beneficiary is free to marry and intends to marry the petitioner within 90 days of arrival in the United States. The decision on whether to revalidate the petition is discretionary.

In some cases, USCIS will simply instruct the petitioner to file a new Form I-129F petition to restart the process. They might use the expiration of the previously approved Form I-129F petition as a reason to close the case, rather than decide whether to issue a reaffirmation notice or revocation notice.

What are the Steps for USCIS to Decide on a Notice of Intent to Revoke? 

USCIS will review the petitioner’s response to a NOIR before it decides whether to revoke the petition.

Reaffirmation Notice

If USCIS agrees to sustain the petition approval – following review of the response to the NOIR – it will issue a reaffirmation notice to the petitioner. It will also return the petition to the National Visa Center for transfer to the Consulate with the reaffirmation notice, a copy of the NOIR, and the petitioner’s response.

The Consulate may accept the petition as valid, schedule a second interview, and issue the immigrant visa or K-1 visa. In rare cases, however, the Consulate may return the petition again to USCIS with new evidence that was not previously considered. In that event, the revocation process begins again.

Revocation Notice

If the petitioner does not provide a satisfactory response or fails to timely respond to the NOIR, USCIS will issue a revocation notice to the petitioner.

The petitioner may appeal an I-130 or I-129F revocation to the higher agency, or file a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS, within 15 days. If the petitioner does not challenge the revocation, the decision becomes final and the petition may no longer be used to continue the immigration process.

Consult an Experienced Immigration Attorney from Start to Finish

An experienced immigration attorney can help you get an I-130 or I-129F approval by advising you on the appropriate forms and supporting documents to submit. Before you attend the visa interview, it’s best to have the attorney prepare you for likely questions and requests for documents, as well as potential actions by a consular officer.

If a NOIR is issued, you typically need counsel’s guidance in filing a timely, complete and satisfactory response to obtain a reaffirmation notice. If USCIS revokes the petition approval, consult an immigration attorney to determine whether to file an appeal, a motion to reopen or reconsider, and/or a new petition, and help you pursue your options.

To learn more about the revocation process, read our other article, What Triggers a Notice of Intent to Revoke an I-130 or I-129F Petition and What Can You Do About It?

This article provides general information only. It is based on law, regulations and policy that are subject to change. Do not consider it as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Each legal case is different and case examples do not constitute a prediction or guarantee of success or failure in any other case. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Notice of Intent to Deny I-130 or I-129F Petition: Huge Hurdle to Clear in Marriage-Based Green Card Case

Posted on June 30, 2016 | Comments Off on Notice of Intent to Deny I-130 or I-129F Petition: Huge Hurdle to Clear in Marriage-Based Green Card Case

The filing of an I-130 or I-129F petition is the first step for a foreign national to obtain a marriage-based green card. When U.S. citizens or permanent residents file an I-130 for a spouse, they must submit evidence proving the marriage is not only legal, but also bona fide. Similarly, when U.S. citizens file an I-129F for a fiancé(e), they must present evidence of intent to enter into a good faith marriage.

If USCIS finds the initial evidence is not persuasive, it may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny  (NOID), which is more problematic than a Request for Evidence (RFE).

A response to the NOID is necessary to overcome USCIS’ doubts about the bona fides of the marriage or the couple’s intent to enter into a bona marriage. Normally, the petitioner has 30 days to respond to the NOID, which explains why the initial evidence is not persuasive and why USCIS is intending to deny the petition. Under 8 CFR § 103.8, there is an additional 3 days to file the response if the notice was served by mail.

The most common reasons for USCIS to issue a Notice of Intent to Deny an I-130 or I-129F petition are described below:

1. Insufficient Evidence of a Bona Fide Relationship

Evidence of termination of prior marriages (e.g. divorce decree or death certificate of prior spouse) is required to show the couple is legally free to marry. In I-130 cases, the submission of a marriage certificate showing the validity of the marriage is also a must. But it’s not enough to prove the marriage is legal (in immigrant visa/green card cases) or the couple is legally free to marry (in K-1 fiancé(e) visa cases).

In a NOID, USCIS usually points to the lack of evidence of a bona fide relationship, i.e. the marriage was created (or will be created) with good faith intent to establish a life together as spouses, and not for the purpose of circumventing U.S. immigration laws.

USCIS also often raises concerns about the evidence that was submitted. Examples: photographs of the couple together are all taken at a single event, instead of at different events; joint billing statements are only from the last two months; joint bank account statements fail to show regular deposits and withdrawals.

The response to the NOID must address the deficiencies with additional evidence, such as:

  • Photos of the couple together and with family and friends taken over the course of their relationship, including before the marriage/engagement and long after the marriage/engagement
  • Federal income taxes showing the filing status as married (filing jointly or separately)
  • Joint residential lease or mortgage statements showing shared residence
  • Joint health, dental, disability, automobile, life, home, and renter’s insurance.
  • Joint bank account statements, joint credit card statements and other documentation of active comingling of financial resources
  • Receipts for shared purchases (e.g. furniture, motor vehicle)
  • Affidavits from third parties attesting to the bona fide nature of the marriage
  • Birth certificate for child born of the marriage, or evidence that the couple is expecting a child

Typically, it is harder to prove a bona fide relationship when you are living overseas and applying for an immigrant visa or K-1 fiancé(e) visa at the U.S. Consulate, instead of a green card within the U.S.  Alternative evidence includes:

  • Receipts of wire transfers or bank transfers from one person to the other
  • Evidence of international travel or visits to see each other, e.g. hotel reservations and bills; travel stamps in passports; travel itineraries; boarding passes; photographs of the trip
  • Records of written communication between the couple or between one spouse and a third party mentioning the other spouse, e.g. emails, letters,  and cards
  • Printouts of text messages or messages exchanged on social media
  • Telephone records showing regular conversations between the couple

2. Inconsistent Testimonies or Incomplete Answers Given at the Interview

When the spouse of a U.S. citizen (or permanent resident) is in the U.S. and is eligible for adjustment to permanent residence, he or she may file an I-485 application concurrently with the I-130 petition.

USCIS will schedule both the petitioner and beneficiary for an interview at the Field Office that has jurisdiction over where the couple lives. At the interview, the officer will ask questions to determine whether the marriage is bona fide. The officer also observes the couple’s general demeanor, body language, and interactions with each other during the interview.

In some cases, the couple may be separated and questioned individually. Generally, the officer asks each person the same questions, takes notes, and later compares the answers to see if they match up.

In a NOID, USCIS may list out discrepancies or inconsistencies between the testimonies. Examples are: one spouse claims she has met the other’s siblings, while the other spouse says no such meeting occurred; one spouse states the premarital courtship lasted for six months, while the other says it was one month; one spouse recalls they traveled during the last July 4th holiday, while the other spouse notes they celebrated in town.

USCIS may also describe incomplete or deficient answers given at the interview. For example, one spouse doesn’t know the other’s birthday, parents’ names, work schedule, model of motor vehicle owned, or other personal information USCIS believes a bona fide married couple should know.

In the response to the NOID, both parties must address each and every one of USCIS’ concerns about their testimonies. Discrepancies and incomplete answers may be due to a variety of factors, including the USCIS officer’s misunderstanding of the answers, the foreign national’s limited English proficiency, different expectations about what couples should know about each other, and outright fabrication in testimonies.

3. Adverse Information Gathered in USCIS’ Investigation

In I-130 cases where the foreign national beneficiary is in the United States, USCIS expects the couple to live together. A legal separation of the couple gives USCIS solid ground to deny an I-130 petition. If there is no legal separation, but the couple simply resides separately, USCIS may not deny the I-130 merely because of lack of cohabitation. Maintaining separate residences, however, is relevant to determining the couple’s intent at the time of the marriage. USCIS also considers no cohabitation since the marriage as one factor indicating a sham marriage.

If the officer suspects the marriage is a sham, USCIS may conduct further investigation. This includes USCIS investigating officers showing up at the parties’ claimed residence to verify if they live together as a married couple. The “bed check” or “site visit” can occur at any time after the interview — sometimes as long as one to two years later — while the case is pending.

The site visit is unscheduled and typically occurs very early in the morning.  The USCIS officers will knock on your door and ask to enter your home so they can look around and ask questions. While the parties may refuse to admit the officers into their home, this could raise more suspicion and trigger other types of investigation. If no one is around to admit the officers inside the home, they can keep coming back or take a look around outside the home.

USCIS officers may also talk with your neighbors or your landlord/rental manager to verify whether you live together at your claimed residence. They may request records from your employer or school to confirm your reported marital status, residence, emergency contact, etc.

USCIS also often checks Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records, court records, social media, and other miscellaneous sources to  see if there is any adverse information, such as the parties claiming different residences or failing to hold themselves out as a married couple.

In a NOID, USCIS may describe adverse information gathered during its investigation, which indicates the marriage is a sham or at least raises doubts about its bona fide nature. Examples include: lack of personal belongings of one spouse in the shared residence; neighbor or landlord claims the couple do not live together; or DMV records lists an address other than the shared residence.

In the response to the NOID, the couple must tackle issues that arose during USCIS’ investigation. One spouse may keep his clothes in a separate room due to limited closet space. The neighbor or landlord might have been misquoted by USCIS. One spouse may have neglected to report an address change to the DMV after moving in with the other.

4. Fraudulent Marriage Prohibition Against Approval of I-130 or I-129F Petition

Section 204(c) of the Immigration & Nationality Act states:

…no petition shall be approved if (1) the alien has previously been accorded, or has sought to be accorded, an immediate relative or preference status as the spouse of a citizen of the United States or the spouse of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, by reason of a marriage determined by the Attorney General to have been entered into for the purpose of evading the immigration laws[,] or (2) the Attorney General has determined that the alien has attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage for the purpose of evading the immigration laws.

Basically, USCIS cannot approve an I-130 or I-129F petition when the foreign national beneficiary is found to have previously entered into or conspired to enter into a sham marriage solely for immigration benefits.

When USCIS raises section 204(c) in an I-130 or I-129F petition, the case gets very complicated. The issue is not so much whether the current I-130 or I-129F petitioner and beneficiary share a bona fide relationship, but whether the beneficiary previously committed or conspired to commit marriage fraud.

In the response to the NOID, the couple must provide favorable facts and rebuttal evidence indicating the prior relationship was not a sham and section 204(c) does not apply. If USCIS finds the rebuttal is insufficient, and concludes there is substantial and probative evidence of a prior sham marriage, it cannot approve the I-130 or I-129F petition, even if the beneficiary has a bona fide relationship with the current petitioner.

More Points to Consider

1. A NOID is more appropriate than a RFE when initial evidence is mostly present, but: (a) the filing does not appear to establish eligibility by the preponderance of the evidence; (b) the case appears to be ineligible for approval but not necessarily incurable; or (c) the adjudicator intends to rely for denial on evidence not submitted by the petitioner.

2. The petition belongs to the U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Although the beneficiary may contribute to the response to the NOID, only the petitioner may file the response. The beneficiary has no standing to pursue an I-130 or I-129F alone.

3. USCIS examines the bona fides of the marriage, not its “viability” (i.e. the probability of the parties staying married for a long time). Nevertheless, once a NOID is issued, it becomes much more challenging to prove the marriage is bona fide.

4.  USCIS does not conduct interviews, prior to issuing a decision on the I-130 or I-129F, when the beneficiary will apply for an immigrant visa or K-1 visa abroad. But discrepancies or inconsistencies may arise later when the U.S. Consulate conducts the visa interview. If the consular officer finds, during the visa interview, that USCIS should not have approved the petition, it may return the case to USCIS with a memorandum explaining why the approval should be revoked. Marriage fraud issues can be raised by the Consulate. USCIS may then issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke the I-130 or I-129F approval, to which the petitioner has 30 days to respond.

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If the response to a NOID is not handled properly, the likelihood of receiving a denial is almost certain. In the denial notice, USCIS may not only find the petitioner failed to prove the bona fides of the marriage, but further rule the marriage is a sham (i.e. entered into solely for immigration benefits).

The NOID provides a taste of denial without its immediate consequences. It gives the petitioner an opportunity to address doubts about the relationship. Enlisting the help of an experienced immigration attorney is crucial to providing a timely, complete and effective response to a NOID.

This article provides general information only. It is based on law, regulations and policy that are subject to change. Do not consider it as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Each legal case is different and case examples do not constitute a prediction or guarantee of success or failure in any other case. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Posted in adjustment of status, bona fide marriage, green card, immigrant petition, immigrant visa, marriage fraud, The Legal Immigrant - Immigration Blog

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3/10 Year Unlawful Presence Bar

Posted on June 27, 2016 | Comments Off on 3/10 Year Unlawful Presence Bar

In this video, attorney Dyan Williams discusses the 3/10 year unlawful presence bar, including when you accrue unlawful presence and when you do not.

[UPDATE: As of August 9, 2018, the U.S. government calculates unlawful presence of F-1 students as starting on the day after they fall out of status, and does not require notice of a status violation from an immigration judge or USCIS.]

 For more information, read these articles:

Contact Dyan for specific advice and guidance on filing for the Immigrant I-601 or I-601A waiver for unlawful presence.

This video provides general information and is for educational purposes only. Do not consider it as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Immigration laws, regulations and policies are subject to change. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Posted in adjustment of status, immigrant petition, immigrant visa, K-1 visa, K-3 visa, The Legal Immigrant - Immigration Blog, Videos, waiver

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Immigrant I-601 or I-601A Waiver for Unlawful Presence

Posted on June 19, 2016 | Comments Off on Immigrant I-601 or I-601A Waiver for Unlawful Presence

In this video, immigration attorney Dyan Williams discusses 2 key things to know and 2 key things to do when filing for the Immigrant I-601 or I-601A Waiver for Unlawful Presence.

 For more information, read these articles:

Contact Dyan for specific advice and guidance on filing for the Immigrant I-601 or I-601A waiver for unlawful presence.

This video provides general information and is for educational purposes only. Do not consider it as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Immigration laws, regulations and policies are subject to change. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Posted in adjustment of status, green card, immigrant petition, immigrant visa, K-1 visa, K-3 visa, The Legal Immigrant - Immigration Blog, Videos, waiver

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Immigrant Visa Process: Delays and Setbacks

Posted on May 28, 2016 | Comments Off on Immigrant Visa Process: Delays and Setbacks

delaysIf you seek permanent residence through an immigrant petition filed by a family member or employer and you are outside the U.S. (or are in the U.S. but cannot file for adjustment of status), you must obtain your immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate.

Known as “consular processing,” this pathway to a green card often involves delays and setbacks at all stages of the application process.

#1: WAITING FOR PETITION APPROVAL

Family-Based Immigration

In family-based immigration, only relatives who fall in specific family-based categories qualify for an immigrant visa. The first step is for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative to file a Form I-130 petition for you to immigrate to the U.S.

Employment-Based Immigration

In employment-based immigration, only persons who fall in designated employment-based categories qualify for an immigrant visa. A U.S. employer usually has to file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, for you to immigrate to the U.S.  In the employment-based fourth preference(EB-4) immigrant category, the U.S. employer must file a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.

In some cases, the I-140 petition may be filed by the foreign national beneficiary, such as in EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions.

In the employment-based fifth preference (EB-5) immigrant category, the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, is filed by the foreign national immigrant investor.

Delays and Setbacks

Long Processing Time

Due to case volume and other factors, USCIS’ processing times for immigrant petitions vary greatly (e.g. 4 to 12 months). If there is a backlog in your visa category, USCIS may also put the petition on the backburner.

During processing, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) when there is insufficient information or documents to approve the petition. In some cases, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny Petition (NOID) when it finds the beneficiary is not eligible for the benefit sought. USCIS will not approve the petition unless an adequate and timely response is submitted.

The date USCIS receives the petition, not the date USCIS approves the petition, affects when an immigrant visa becomes available in the preference categories. Nevertheless, the petition must first be approved before you may apply for an immigrant visa.

Challenges with Proving Eligibility in Family-Based Immigration

Documentary evidence

In family-based immigration, petitioners must show they have the required relationship with the beneficiary, besides presenting documentary proof of their U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.

Proving a parent-child relationship can be a problem when there is no birth certificate or when the birth certificate was registered late.

Proving a legal, bona fide marriage in spousal petitions carries challenges. The petitioner must present the requisite marriage certificate and divorce decrees (for any prior marriages), showing the marriage was legal in the place where it occurred.

Furthermore, the petitioner must provide documentary evidence establishing the marriage was entered into in good faith, for the purpose of creating a life together as spouses, and not for immigration purposes. When the petitioner lives in the U.S. while the beneficiary lives overseas, there is limited documents to present. For example, there is no joint lease, joint bills, joint tax returns or other documents that married couples who live together would normally have.

Adam Walsh Act

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which was signed into law in 2006,  prohibits U.S. citizens and permanent residents who were convicted of a “specified offense” against a minor from petitioning for family members, particularly a spouse or a child. USCIS may not approve these I-130 petitions unless it finds the petitioner poses “no risk” to the family member.

Significant delays, notices of intent to deny, and decisions denying the immigrant petition often results when the Adam Walsh Act applies.

Challenges with Proving Eligibility in Employment-Based Immigration

Documentary evidence

In employment-based immigration, the petition must contain extensive, reliable documentary evidence of the beneficiary’s qualifications, including the requisite degree, academic records, and support letters from current and past employers. Those who are filing for EB-1 and EB-2 (Exceptional Ability and National Interest Waiver) classification must also provide specific evidence showing they meet the criteria.

Immigrant petitions that require job offers must also include evidence that the U.S. employer has the ability to pay the proffered wage. Examples are copies of annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements.

Labor Certification in EB-2 and EB-3 categories

Immigration petitions involving professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Abilities (EB-2, excluding NIWs) and professionals with a bachelor’s degree, skilled workers, and unskilled workers (EB-3) must be accompanied by a PERM Labor Certification issued by the Department of Labor.

Prior to filing the I-140 petition, the U.S. employer must complete a process to recruit U.S. workers and then file for the labor certification. The DOL must certify to the USCIS there are insufficient U.S. workers able, willing, qualified and available to accept the job in the area of intended employment and that employment of the foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

Forwarding of Case from USCIS to NVC

Upon completing review of the immigrant petition, USCIS issues a decision. If the petition is denied, the notice will include the reasons for denying the petition and explain any rights to appeal the decision. If the petition is approved and you are applying for an immigrant visa abroad, USCIS will forward the approved petition to the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC).

#2: WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM NATIONAL VISA CENTER (NVC)

Even with an approved immigrant petition, you may not start applying for an immigrant visa until one is available or is about to become available. The only category in which immigrant visas are always available is the immediate relatives (family-based) category. Immediate relatives include:

  • The spouse of a U.S. citizen
  • Minor child (under age 21) of a U.S. citizen
  • Parent of an adult U.S. citizen (age 21 or older)
  • Step-parent of an adult U.S. citizen (if the step-parent, step-child relationship began before the citizen’s 18th birthday)
  • Step-child of a U.S. citizen (if the step-parent, step-child relationship began before the step-child’s 18th birthday)
  • The spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen (if the spouse was married to the deceased U.S. citizen for at least two years and the application for permanent residence was filed within two years of the death of the U.S. citizen)

Those in the family-sponsored preference and employment-based categories must wait for their priority date to become current.

The NVC is responsible for processing immigrant visa applications before they are forwarded to the U.S. Consulate. It will send instructions to the petitioner and/or beneficiary when an immigrant visa is about to become available.

Delays and Setbacks

Backlog in the Preference Categories

The priority date marks the applicant’s place in the visa queue. In family-sponsored, preference categories, the priority date is the date USCIS received the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or in certain cases, the Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant.

In employment-based categories, the priority date is the date the Department of Labor (DOL) received the application for alien labor certification or the date USCIS received the I-140 petition (if no alien labor certification is required). In certain cases, it’s the date USCIS received the Form I-360 petition (EB-4, fourth preference category) or the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur (EB-5, fifth preference category).

In October 2015, the Department of State made changes to the monthly Visa Bulletin so there are now two different dates to track: the Application Final Action Dates (AFAD) and the Dates for Filing Applications (DFA).

AFADs are the cut-off dates that determine when an immigrant visa becomes available. If your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date in the AFAD chart, or the AFAD is “current” (“C”) for the preference category and country of chargeabilty, you may receive an immigrant visa following completion of the application process.

DFAs are the cut-off dates that determine when the applicant should receive instructions from the NVC to submit documents for consular processing. When your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date in the DFA chart, you may submit required documents to the NVC, following receipt of instructions to do so.

When demand exceeds supply of visas for a given year in a given category or country, a visa backlog forms. It usually takes several years for a visa to become available.  In the F4 (brother or sister of adult U.S. citizen) category, for example, the wait for a visa to become available is usually 10+ years.

Challenges with Submitting Required Forms and Documents

At the appropriate time, the NVC will send instructions to the visa applicant to pay the appropriate fees: Form DS-260, online immigrant visa application fee, and Form I-864, Affidavit of Support fee (in all family-based immigration cases and in certain employment-based immigration cases).

After the fees are paid, the NVC will request the visa applicant to submit the required documents, including DS-260 application form and civil documents (e.g. birth certificate, police certificate, and photocopy of valid passport biographic data page) .

Visa applicants must also submit a Form I-864 and supporting financial documents proving they will not become a public charge to the U.S. government (in all family-based immigration cases, and in certain employment-based immigration cases where a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative filed the Form I-140 petition or where such a relative has a significant ownership interest in the entity that filed the petition).

The NVC will issue a Request for Evidence if the visa applicant fails to submit all the required documents, such as his birth certificate, police certificate, and Form I-864 with supporting financial evidence.

Forwarding of Case from NVC to U.S. Consulate

The NVC will forward the immigrant visa  file to the U.S. Consulate only when it is satisfied that all required forms and documents have been submitted. The NVC may termination registration (close case) when applicants have not responded to its instructions within one year.

#3. WAITING FOR IMMIGRANT VISA INTERVIEW

After your case becomes qualified for an interview, NVC will work with the appropriate U.S. Consulate to schedule an appointment for you.

Visa interviews are normally scheduled one month in advance.  The U.S. Consulates inform the NVC of the dates they are holding interviews, and NVC fills these appointments on a first-in, first-out basis. Most interviews are scheduled within 60 days of NVC’s receipt of all required documents.

Delays and Setbacks

Completing Medical Examination

An immigrant visa cannot be issued if you do not complete the medical examination, along with required vaccinations, by an authorized panel physician in your country.

Prior to the interview, you should schedule and complete the required medical examination. Completing the medical examination after the visa interview will delay your case until the U.S. Consulate receives the results.

Completing the medical examination too soon (well before the interview) can cause delays as well. The medical report is valid for one year from the date of the medical examination. The examination must be redone if the report has expired or will expire before you enter the United States.

Failing to Appear at Visa Interview or Requesting Rescheduling

Although you usually have a month’s notice, you have no control over when the visa interview is scheduled. Failure to appear could lead to significant delays or a termination of your visa application. Requests for interview rescheduling will delay processing by several months.

#4: WAITING FOR IMMIGRANT VISA GRANT

At the visa interview, you will be expected to submit original documents or certified copies, such as your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable). The consular officer will verify the authenticity of the documents and question you about your eligibility for the visa.

The U.S. Consulates have tremendous power in deciding whether to grant an immigrant visa. The doctrine of consular non-reviewability prohibits judicial review of visa denials. There is no formal appeal process to challenge a visa denial.

Delays and Setbacks

Administrative Processing

Section 221(g) of the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) allows the U.S. Consulate to conduct further administrative processing before it issues the visa or determines whether you are eligible for the visa.

Administrative processing involves a wide range of activities. Examples are request for a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) from the Department of State on whether the applicant poses a risk to the United States; more in-depth investigation to check for fraud; and request for review by a supervisor at the U.S. Consulate.

There is generally nothing you can do to speed up administrative processing and you are not told why it is necessary. While the delay is frustrating, cases that are otherwise approvable are rarely sent for administrative processing.

Incomplete Application

Under section 221(g) of the INA, a consular officer may refuse to grant the visa due to missing information on the application forms or missing documents. For example, when the visa application is based on a spousal petition, the U.S. Consulate may request additional documentary evidence of the bona fide nature of the marriage. In some cases, it may return the petition to USCIS for revocation if it determines the petition should not have been approved.

Inadmissibility Finding

Section 212(a) of the INA lists various grounds under which a visa applicant is inadmissible to the U.S. (i.e. barred from entering the U.S.) The most common include fraud or willful misrepresentation of material facts to gain immigration benefits; crime-related problems; unlawful presence in the U.S. lasting more than 180 days; public charge issues; and illegal re-entries into the U.S.

Waivers of inadmissibility are available for some grounds and not for others. When a waiver is available, the visa applicant must also meet the requirements to apply for it.

If the U.S. Consulate finds you are inadmissible to the U.S., it will not grant the immigrant visa unless you (a) successfully challenge the finding by filing a motion to reconsider with the Consulate or (b) obtain a waiver of inadmissibility by filing a Form I-601 and/or Form I-212 with the appropriate agency.

* * *

If all goes well, the U.S. Consulate will stamp an immigrant visa in your passport, which is normally valid for six months. It will also give you a sealed Visa Packet containing documents you must present to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port-of-entry (e.g. airport) upon your arrival in the United States. Do not open the sealed packet.

The CBP will verify whether  you are admissible to the U.S. before it admits you to the U.S. as a permanent resident. The CBP’s endorsement of the visa serves as temporary evidence of your immigrant status. You will be mailed your green card after you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

Applying for an immigrant visa often involves delays and setbacks in all stages of the process. Work with an experienced immigration attorney to maximize your chances of obtaining an approval in the fastest time possible.

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This article provides general information only. It is based on law, regulations and policy that are subject to change. Do not consider it as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Each legal case is different and case examples do not constitute a prediction or guarantee of success or failure in any other case. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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