How do I obtain an immigrant visa?
There are three ways to obtain an immigrant visa:

• through family relationship with a U.S. citizen (an Immediate Relative Petition) or legal permanent resident (a Preference Petition, which must be filed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the United States.)
• through employment or
• through the Diversity Lottery.

Most immigrant petitions are filed by U.S. citizens or U.S. residents with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the United States. Specific information is available from the Immigration and Naturalization Service Internet site or by calling (001) 202-514-4330.

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas only accepts immigrant petitions if the petitioner is an American citizen who is a resident of Venezuela, and is physically present in Venezuela. The following are the requirements for immigrant visas:
For your Spouse
For your Child
For your Parent

What is the process for obtaining an immigrant visa?

An alien must be sponsored by a relative or employer who files the appropriate petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). INS will then decide if they accept the petition or not. If INS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The National Visa Center then informs the beneficiary that an approved petition has been received and provides instructions on next steps. As soon as a visa number is available on a preference petition or as soon as INS approves an immediate relative petition, the National Visa Center sends the beneficiary a packet which includes, among other things: DSL-1083 Immigrant Visa Supplemental Information Sheet), OF-230-I (Biographic Data) and I-864 (Affidavit of Support). The packets are available only from the National Visa Center or posts that process immigrant visas.

What is the waiting time for an immigrant visa after the National Visa Center or the U.S. Embassy in Caracas receives the approved petition?

Several factors influence how long the process may take. Immediate Relative Petitions (which can be filed for a spouse, child or parent of the U.S. citizen) are not numerically limited by statute. Most Immediate Relative Petitions filed in Caracas take up to 10 weeks for processing.

Preference Petitions, (which can be filed for a spouse, child or parent of a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident) must be petitioned in the U.S. and are numerically limited.  Post must wait until the priority date on the petition is available before starting to process the case. The major reason for lengthy waits, i.e. priority dates that are months or several years earlier than your inquiry, is the fact that each year many more people apply for immigrant visas then can be satisfied under the annual numerical  limit set by law for preferences cases.

What is a priority date?

The priority date is the date the immigrant visa petition was filed. In the case of an employee-sponsored petition, the priority date is the date the labor certification was filed with the Department of Labor. The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication which gives the changes in availability of priority dates. Visa Services also has a twenty-four hour recording which gives the monthly priority dates. In the U.S. dial (202) 663-1541.

How can I get the Visa Bulletin?

The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs offers the monthly Visa Bulletin on the Internet's World Wide Web. The Internet Web address to access the Bulletin is: http://travel.state.gov.
From the home page, select  the Visa section which contaINS the Visa Bulletin.
In addition to the Internet, the Visa Bulletin can be accessed and downloaded from the Consular Affairs electronic bulletin board. Those with a computer and modem should dial (301) 946-4400. The login is travel and the password is info.
Individuals may also obtain the Visa Bulletin by fax. From a fax phone, dial (202) 647-3000. Follow the prompts and enter in the code 1038 to have the Visa Bulletin faxed to you.

The Visa Bulletin can be contacted by E-mail at the following address:
VISABULLET@SA1WPOA>US-STATE.GOV
(The Visa Bulletin is not distributed by E-mail, however).

What fees are involved in obtaining an immigrant visa?

The cost of an immigrant visa is US$335 for processing, per person, regardless of age. If filing in Caracas there is an additional $130 filing fee. There may also be fees to obtain required documents, for certifying or notarizing documents, and for the medical examination. The applicant will be informed of fees by the processing post. The fees are payable in U.S. and equivalent local currency. Cash is acceptable at all posts. Caracas accepts traveler checks.

What documents are needed for the immigrant visa interview?<

Please present originals and photocopies of the following documents:

1. Color Photos: 2 passport size photos with white background, 3/4 frontal view, showing the right side of the face with the right ear visible, without earrings or glasses.
2. Passport (valid for a minimum of six months).
3. Biographical Information Form 230 (part I and II), original.
4. Medical forms (original).
5. Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). Must be completed and notarized by each sponsor, and accompanied by each sponsor's tax returns from the IRS for the last 3 years.
6. Birth Certificate (original and photocopy).
7. Marriage Certificate (original and photocopy).
8. Divorce or death certificates (original and photocopy).
9. Military service records (original and photocopy).
10. Police Certificate (police certificates are required from every visa applicant aged 16 years or older. For Venezuelan-born citizens, a police certificate is not required

All documents should be completed and presented in the order stated above.

Please remember that the cost of a resident or immigrant visa is US$335 per person, which can be paid in cash the day of the interview.  Persons filing an immigrant visa petition in Caracas are subject to an additional US$130 fee.

How long is an immigrant visa valid? What if the applicant must delay arrival in the U.S.?

The consul may issue an immigrant visa with a maximum validity of six months. If an applicant must delay travel to the U.S. beyond six months, he/she should contact the U.S. consulate and arrange to have an interview scheduled closer to his/her possible departure. If an immigrant visa has already been issued and circumstances force the alien to remain abroad longer, the applicant should contact the U.S. consulate and request an extension of the immigrant visa's validity. If the validity of an immigrant visa expires, a new one may be issued upon payment of the statutory processing fee of US$335.

What is necessary for an alien to enter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen?

The U.S. citizen must file a Fiancee Petition, Form I-129F, with the local Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The INS will forward the approved petition to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Post will then contact the alien with information and eventually schedule an interview for a fiancee visa. The alien has 90 days from entry into the U.S. in which to marry the U.S. citizen.

Does the fiancee visa automatically change to an alien registration card (green card)?

No. After the marriage takes place, the U.S. citizen must contact Immigration and Naturalization Service to change the alien spouse's status to legal permanent resident. This information is given  to the alien fiancee upon his/her entry to the U.S.

How do I schedule an immigrant visa interview?

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