Consular Processing in Salt Lake City

The Consular Processing Workflow: From Petition to Visa

Understanding each stage of the immigrant visa process helps you prepare and avoid unnecessary delays. After USCIS approves the underlying immigrant petition, the National Visa Center (NVC) creates the case and guides the applicant through the steps that follow. Here’s what the process generally involves.

NVC Case Creation & Fee Payment

Once the NVC opens your case, it will notify the petitioner and applicant of required fees. These include an immigrant visa application processing fee and, for most family-based cases, an Affidavit of Support fee. Payment is completed through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), the online platform the NVC uses to collect documents and track case status. The NVC will not begin reviewing your uploaded documents until all required submissions are complete through CEAC.

DS-260 & Financial Sponsorship

The applicant completes and submits Form DS-260, the online immigrant visa application, through CEAC. At the same time, the petitioner prepares Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, along with supporting financial evidence such as tax returns, W-2s, and pay stubs. When the petitioner’s income falls below the required threshold, a joint sponsor may be needed. We help clients gather the documents and information required for these submissions to help prepare the file for NVC review.

Civil Documents & Certified Translations

Civil documents required for a family-based immigrant visa case include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearances, and other records depending on the applicant’s country of origin and the applicable embassy or consulate requirements. Documents not written in English generally require certified translations that meet Department of State standards. Our team assists clients in identifying which civil documents are needed, and we communicate in both English and Spanish throughout that process.

Medical Examination by a Panel Physician

Before the immigrant visa interview, the applicant must complete a medical examination performed by a panel physician approved by the relevant embassy or consulate. Required vaccinations are assessed and administered as needed at that time. The medical examination results are submitted directly to the consulate and are a required component of the visa file. Applicants should schedule and complete the examination before their interview appointment.

Interview Preparation & the Visa Interview

At the interview, applicants must bring required original or certified civil documents, the appointment letter, a valid unexpired passport, photographs, the DS-260 confirmation page, and any other country-specific materials identified by the embassy or consulate. A consular officer reviews the file and determines whether the applicant qualifies for the immigrant visa. Missing documents or additional administrative processing can delay visa issuance. We provide free consultations on interview preparedness so you and your family members know what to expect and arrive ready.