U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in Mexico

Step 2: Apply for an Immigrant Visa

After the immigrant petition has been approved and (if applicable) the priority date  is current, the second step is the submission of the immigrant visa application by the beneficiary of the petition.

If the petition was filed in the United States:

If the petition was filed in the United States with Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the National Visa Center (NVC) will provide instructions directly to the petitioner and beneficiary. It is vital that NVC be provided with correct mailing addresses and other contact information and that all instructions be followed promptly. Failure to do so will result in delay in transferring the petition to the Consulate.

Once United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves a petition, the petition will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will send the visa applicant instructions asking to pay fees, prepare all the required forms, and send required supporting . Once the NVC has received all the fees, forms, and documents, they will review for completeness and schedule a visa interview appointment. The NVC then forwards the case file containing the petition, forms, and documents submitted by or on behalf of a visa applicant, to the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez where the applicant will be interviewed.

For details about immigrant visa processing through the National Visa Center, please click here .

• If your I-130 petition or I-360 (widow/er) was filed in Ciudad Juarez:

As soon as the petition is approved, we will schedule you for an Immigrant Visa Appointment. If you are not contacted within 7 (seven) days, an appointment can be requested through Immigrant Visa Public Inquiries U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez (office.com)

• If you filed a form DS-117 (returning resident) or SB-1 visa was approved in Ciudad Juarez:

If returning resident status or SB-1 visa is approved, we will ask you to prepare all the necessary documents for your application. Read the instructions carefully and when all the necessary documents have been gathered and forms completed, an appointment can be requested through Immigrant Visa Public Inquiries U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez (office.com) . Click here  for the document checklist.