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Green Card

Immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-260)

Apply for a U.S. immigrant visa from abroad.

We'll guide you through it, step by step

  • ✓Simple questions in plain language — no legal jargon
  • ✓We fill in the official form and check for common mistakes
  • ✓Private — no document uploads

Free to start • No credit card • Official form

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Estimated fee

$325 - $345 (See official fee schedule)

View official fee calculator ↗

Typical timeline

3 to 12 months (varies by embassy)

Category

Green Card

Who qualifies

Foreign nationals living abroad who have an approved immigrant petition (such as Form I-130 or I-140) and an active National Visa Center (NVC) case number with fees paid.

The step-by-step roadmap

  1. 1

    Pay NVC Fees Online

    Log into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) using your NVC case number and invoice ID to pay required processing fees.

    Watch out: Payments take several business days to process before Form DS-260 unlocks.
    Common rejection reason: Attempting to access the form before fee payments have fully cleared.
  2. 2

    Complete Form DS-260

    Provide comprehensive personal background, previous U.S. travel, address history, employment records, and security questionnaire answers.

    Watch out: Gaps in your address or employment history will delay review.
    Common rejection reason: Inconsistencies between DS-260 entries and the original petition filed with USCIS.
  3. 3

    Submit Supporting Civil Documents

    Scan and upload all required civil records, financial forms, and certified translations to the CEAC portal.

    Watch out: Poor quality scans or cut-off margins frequently trigger document rejections.
    Common rejection reason: Missing certified translations or expired police clearance certificates.
  4. 4

    Attend the Visa Interview

    Complete your medical examination with an approved panel physician and attend your scheduled interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

    Watch out: Do not open sealed medical envelopes if given physical copies.
    Common rejection reason: Failure to bring original civil documents that match CEAC uploads.

Documents you'll need

  • Valid Passport

    Government-issued passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into the United States.

    Note: Must contain at least two blank visa pages.

  • Civil Documents and Certificates

    Original or certified copies of birth, marriage, divorce, and police certificates from every required country.

    Note: Foreign language documents require a certified English translation.

  • Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)

    Financial sponsorship form completed by your petitioner, accompanied by recent federal tax returns and proof of income.

    Note: Joint sponsor forms required if petitioner does not meet income thresholds.

Ready to start?

Run the free eligibility check first, then get your personalized roadmap and document checklist.

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Fees and timelines are as published by the relevant agency and may change — verify before filing. This guide is general information, not legal advice.