Two groups of family-based immigrant visa categories, immediate relatives, and family preference are provided under the provisions of United States immigration law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). You can learn more about these two categories of immigrant visas on the U.S. Department of State website.

If the petition is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States, the case will be processed through the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire. To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visas, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on the U.S. Department of State website. Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the NVC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

It is vital that NVC be provided with a correct mailing address and that all instructions be followed promptly. Failure to do so will result in delay in transferring the petition to the Embassy.