What Is the National Visa Center
The National Visa Center (NVC) is a DOS facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that processes all immigrant visa petitions after USCIS approval. The NVC acts as the administrative intermediary between USCIS and the consulates where you'll have your visa interview. Once your I-140 or I-485 petition is approved, your case moves to the NVC for document collection, fee payment, and scheduling of consular processing or adjustment of status interview.
The NVC Process
When your immigrant petition is approved, USCIS sends your file to the NVC within 2-4 weeks. The NVC then assigns you a case number and sends you a notice with instructions for the next steps. You'll need to complete the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and submit birth certificates, police clearances, medical exams, and financial documents. The NVC collects a visa processing fee (currently $325 for most immigrants) and a immigrant visa application fee ($190 for adults, $95 for minors). Processing times at the NVC typically range from 6 to 18 months depending on your visa category and consulate workload.
The NVC also maintains the visa bulletin, which tracks priority dates for family-based and employment-based categories. If you're using consular processing, the NVC schedules your interview at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. For adjustment of status cases, your file goes directly to USCIS for the interview instead.
Key Timelines and Requirements
- After I-140 or I-485 approval, USCIS transfers your case to NVC within 2-4 weeks
- NVC sends a Notice to Applicant letter with case number and instructions
- You have 60 days to respond to the NVC's initial request for documents
- Medical examination (Form I-693) must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon
- Visa interview scheduling typically occurs 6-12 months after NVC receives your complete file
- Visa bulletin updates monthly, showing which priority dates are current for visa issuance
Common Questions
- What happens if my priority date is not current at the NVC? If your priority date hasn't reached the current date shown in the visa bulletin, your case remains at the NVC in a holding status. You don't move forward with interviews or fees until the visa bulletin advances your priority date. This applies to employment-based and family-based cases with visa number limits.
- Can I contact the NVC directly about my case? The NVC responds to inquiries through its online case status system and email address listed on your Notice to Applicant. You cannot call the NVC directly. Responses typically take 4-6 weeks.
- Do I need to submit medical exams before the NVC schedules my interview? Yes. You must complete the Form I-693 medical examination with a USCIS panel physician and submit it to the NVC before your interview date is scheduled. The exam is valid for two years.