National Visa Center (NVC): Processing Steps & Timeline (2026)

The National Visa Center (NVC) is the government processing center that handles your immigrant visa case between USCIS petition approval and your embassy interview. Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the NVC manages fee collection, document review, and interview scheduling for all consular processing cases.

Every applicant going through consular processing passes through the NVC. Understanding this stage — and avoiding the common mistakes that cause months of delays — is critical.

Where the NVC fits in the process

I-130/I-140 approved → NVC case created → Fees paid → DS-260 submitted →
Documents uploaded → NVC review → Documentarily complete → Interview scheduled

The NVC is the bridge between USCIS (which approves the petition) and the U.S. embassy (which conducts the interview and issues the visa).

Step-by-step NVC process

1. Case creation (2–8 weeks)

After USCIS approves the I-130 or I-140, the file is transferred to the NVC. The NVC creates a case and assigns:

• NVC case number (format: city code + year + number)
• Beneficiary invoice ID (for the applicant)
• Petitioner invoice ID (for the sponsor)

You receive a welcome letter by mail and/or email with these numbers and instructions. Save these — you need them for every NVC interaction.

2. Choose an agent (optional)

You can designate an attorney or authorized representative as your agent by filing Form DS-261 (Online Choice of Address and Agent). The agent receives correspondence and can act on your behalf with the NVC.

3. Pay fees

Two fees are due before you can submit documents:

Pay online at ceac.state.gov using the invoice ID numbers from your welcome letter. Fees are non-refundable.

4. Submit Form DS-260

After fees are paid, complete and submit Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application) online through CEAC. Each applicant — including spouse and children — must submit their own DS-260.

Key sections:

• Personal information (must match passport exactly)
• Address history (past 5 years)
• Work history (past 5 years)
• Education history
• Family information
• Security and background questions
• Social media identifiers (past 5 years)

5. Upload supporting documents

After submitting the DS-260, upload civil documents through CEAC. The NVC requires:

For every applicant:

• Passport biographic page copy
• Birth certificate (with certified English translation if not in English)
• Police certificate from each country of residence for 6+ months after age 16
• Two recent passport-size photos (2x2 inches, white background)
• Military records (if applicable)

For the petitioner (sponsor):

• Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
• Federal tax returns (3 most recent years) with W-2s
• Employment verification letter
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or LPR status

For marriage-based cases:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decrees or death certificates for prior marriages (both parties)

Document format requirements:

• PDF, JPEG, or TIFF format
• Each file under 2 MB
• All non-English documents must include certified English translations

6. NVC document review (1–3 months)

The NVC reviews all submissions for completeness and accuracy. Three possible outcomes:

If your documents are incomplete, NVC sends a specific request listing what is missing. Respond promptly — delays at this stage compound quickly.

7. Interview scheduling

Once documentarily complete, the NVC schedules your interview at the designated U.S. embassy or consulate. Scheduling depends on:

• Embassy capacity and appointment availability
• Your visa category and priority date
• Country and embassy-specific backlogs

You receive an interview appointment letter (sent to your CEAC account and by email) with:

• Date, time, and location
• List of documents to bring in original form
• Medical exam instructions

How to check your NVC status

Online

Log into ceac.state.gov → Immigrant Visa Applicant → enter your NVC case number and invoice ID. The status page shows:

• Current case status
• Whether fees have been paid
• Whether documents are submitted and accepted
• Missing documents (if any)

By phone

Call the NVC at 1-603-334-0700 (Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET). Have your case number ready.

By email

Submit an inquiry through the NVC inquiry form on the State Department website. Response times vary from days to weeks.

Common NVC mistakes

1. Wrong document format

The NVC rejects blurry scans, photos of documents, and files exceeding the size limit. Use a flatbed scanner or a high-quality scanning app. Save as PDF.

2. Missing translations

Every document not in English must have a certified English translation with a translator certification statement. “Certified” means the translator signs a statement attesting to accuracy — it does not require a notary.

3. Expired police certificates

Police certificates are valid for 2 years from issuance. If your processing takes longer, you may need to obtain a new one. Check the specific requirements for each country.

4. Incomplete I-864

The Affidavit of Support is the most common cause of NVC delays. Missing tax returns, incorrect household size, or unsigned forms all trigger requests for resubmission.

5. Not responding within one year

This is the most dangerous mistake. If you fail to respond to NVC correspondence or act on your case within one year, the NVC can terminate your petition under INA § 203(g). Your priority date is lost.

NVC processing times (2026)

These timelines do not include visa category wait times. If your priority date is not yet current, your case sits at the NVC in “waiting” status until a visa becomes available.

After the NVC: what’s next

Once the NVC schedules your interview:

1. Complete your medical exam with a designated panel physician near the embassy
2. Gather original documents — the embassy reviews originals, not copies
3. Attend the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate
4. If approved, receive your immigrant visa stamp and sealed document packet
5. Enter the U.S. within 6 months of visa issuance
6. Pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee online before arrival to ensure your green card is produced