As the first step, a sponsoring relative must file a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In certain circumstances, a U.S. citizen living abroad can file an immigrant visa petition outside the United States. Please contact us or review Filing Immigrant Petitions Outside the United States to learn more.

For NVC processing, the USCIS will send the I-130 approval notice to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will assign a case number for the petition. For family preference immigrant visa cases, when an applicant’s priority date meets the most recent qualifying date, the NVC will instruct the applicant to complete Form DS-261, Choice of Address and Agent. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not instruct you to complete Form DS-261.) The NVC will begin pre-processing the applicant’s case by providing the applicant and petitioner with instructions to submit the appropriate fees. After the appropriate fees are paid, the NVC will request that the applicant submit the necessary immigrant visa documents, including the Affidavit of Support, application forms, civil documents, and more. Learn more about National Visa Center visa case processing.

Required Documentation

In general, the following documents are required:

• Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864, I-864A, I-864 EZ, or I-864W, as appropriate) from the petitioner/U.S. sponsor. 
• Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
  • Preview a sample DS-260 (6.4MB).
• Two (2) 2×2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
• Civil Documents for the applicant (and petitioner in F4 cases). See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies), such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies of the original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview. Original documents and translations can then be returned to you.

Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations。

The Second Step I-485 Application if the relatives are in US

Checklist for Immediate Relatives

• Two passport style photographs
• A copy of your government-issued identity document with photograph
• A copy of your birth certificate. If it is unavailable or does not exist, submit other acceptable evidence of birth such as church, school, or medical records, and proof of unavailability or nonexistence.
• Inspection and admission, or inspection and parole documentation (unless applying for adjustment under INA 245(i)). For more information and examples, please see the form instructions.
• Documentation of immigrant category, such as a copy of Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the Form I-130 filed on your behalf (unless you are filing your Form I-485 with the Form I-130 filed on your behalf)
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support or I-864W (if applicable)
• Certified police and court records of all criminal charges, arrests, or convictions regardless of final disposition (if applicable)
• Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (if applicable)
• Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal (if applicable)
• Documentation regarding J-1 and J-2 exchange visitor status (Form I-612, if applicable)
• Form I-508, Waiver of Diplomatic Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities (if applicable)
• Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G, or NATO Status (only if you have A, G, or NATO nonimmigrant status). 
• Form I-485 Supplement A, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i) (Supplement A) (if applicable)

For more information please click the link below. 

 https://www.uscis.gov/i-485Checklist

Reapply for Admission (I-212 Application) 

I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal

If you are inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 212(a)(9)(A) or (C), you must ask for consent to reapply for admission to the United States (consent to reapply) before you can lawfully return to the United States. Consent to reapply is also called “permission to reapply.” You should use this application to seek consent to reapply.

Please contact us for details. You may also refer to https://www.uscis.gov/i-212

Apply for Waiver of Inadmissibility (I-601 Application)

I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility

If you are inadmissible to the United States and are seeking an immigrant visa, adjustment of status, certain nonimmigrant statuses, or certain other immigration benefits, you must file this form to seek a waiver of certain grounds of inadmissibility. 

Please contact us or refer to the following website for details.  

https://www.uscis.gov/i-601