Immigrant Visas

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a visa the same day as my interview?

No. Visas are mailed via UPS to applicants and it normally takes two to three working days.

Why do I need an administrative process?

Administrative processes are requested for a number of reasons. Citizens of some countries, such as Iran, have special requirements. Sometimes an applicant’s name is similar to a name that has been entered into the State Department database. In these cases an administrative process is needed to make sure the applicant is not the same person as the one in the database.

Why is my administrative process taking so long?

Most administrative processes are received within four-six months. Administrative processes pending for more than three months are routinely checked. Unfortunately no information on why administrative processing on a case takes a long time is usually given. If your process has been pending more than three months, please email us to check on its status.

How can I prove my relationship with my spouse/fiancé(e)?

There is no one way to "prove" your relationship. The most important way to prove your relationship is to demonstrate to the consular officer during your interview that you know your spouse/fiancé(e) well. It is useful, but not required, for the U.S. citizen spouse/fiancé(e) to attend the interview. Most applicants also bring in photos of themselves together with their spouse/fiancé(e). Wedding photos or photos of your engagement party are very helpful. Studio photos are less helpful. Letters or emails you sent each other are useful, as are phone bills showing how often you have called each other. If you use phone cards, you can get a print-out of the numbers you called from the phone card company. Please do not send sexually explicit material.

How can a petitioner establish a domicile in the U.S.?

When a sponsor has clearly not maintained a domicile in the United States, he/she will need to re-establish a U.S. domicile in order for him/her to be a sponsor. The sponsor may make a number of steps to show that he/she considers the United States his/her principal place of residence. Examples of things he/she can do are given below:

• Find a job in the U.S.
• Locate a place to live in the U.S.
• Register children in the U.S. schools
• Make arrangements to give up (relinquish) residence abroad

If a sponsor establishes U.S. domicile, it is not necessary for the sponsor to go to the U.S. before the sponsored family members. However, the sponsored immigrant may not enter the U.S. before the sponsor returns to the United States to live. The sponsored immigrant must travel with the sponsor or after the sponsor has entered the United States.