1) GREEN CARD FILED
— Typically, initial approval is received within 6-8months of filing. In some instances, your agency would expedite the case in which an outcome would be received within 15days of filing.
2) I-140 APPROVAL- FILE TRANSFERRED TO NATIONAL VISA CENTRE (NVC) FOR DOCUMENT PROCESSING
— USCIS takes about 6 weeks(4-8weeks) to transfer the approved case to NVC. Once the case is received, the NVC will issue a notice with the case number along with the appropriate instructions.
Your agency will request for your family fees at the I-140 approval stage and the required civil documents. Please note if the Priority Date(PD) is NOT current or close to being current, your case will be placed on hold by the NVC. The case will be eligible for further processing once your priority date becomes available based on the cut off dates outlined on the visa bulletin. To learn more about what the current cut off date is, go to http://travel.state.gov/visas/checkdate – the visa bulletin is issued every month.
3) FEE BILL – IMMIGRANT VISA FEE
$345/person your agency pays for you, the HCP you pay for your dependants(spouse and children)
NVC takes about 1 week to process the fee bill.
4) PACKET 3- DS-260 + CIVIL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTAL
This requires clearance of the fee bill payment, submission of the civil documenter and completion and submission of e-forms DS-260, Immigrant visa and Allen registration Application. At the I-140 approval, the civil documents are usually requested to avoid unnecessary delays
NVC takes about 12 weeks to review your case and send the final processing notice
5) FINAL PROCESSING
After final processing notice, NVC takes approximately 4 weeks to issue your Exit interview Notice (Packet 4)
6) PACKET 4- EXIT INTERVIEW
The interview is typically scheduled 4-8weeks from the Exit interview Notice. You will undergo the immigration Medical exam only AFTER the issuance of the exit interview date notification. You agency will mail the exit documents to you prior to your interview. Remember you will need the Original Visa Screen for the interview
7) IMMIGRANT VISA IS ISSUED
following the exit interview, it takes approximately 2-3weeks for your passport to be returned to you. The passport will contain your visa stamp. You will be issued a sealed envelope- DO NOT OPEN the sealed package.
8) PAY THE USCIS IMMIGRANT FEE – $220/PERSON
On return of your passport, you will also receive information to register for your ELIS account. You will create your online USCIS ELIS account and pay the USCIS immigrant fee in the amount of $220. You’ve can pay the fee for yourself and for any family members in one transaction. Each person’s $220 fee must be paid before they will receive a Permanent Resident Card. It is usually encouraged you complete this before departure but it can be done following arrival. Your Green Card will not be issued until you have entered the US and have paid your immigrant fee(s)
9) RECEIVE YOUR PERMANENT RESIDENT STAMP (I-551)
On admission to the US- your visa stamp contained in your passport is stamped with date of entry and can be used as proof of permanent residence for up to one year or until card is issued. Following admission as a lawful permanent resident by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will verify payment of the $220 fee and mail your Permanent Resident Card to you
10) PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD ISSUANCE (ACTUAL GREEN CARD)
(30-90 days from your date of arrival into the US)
Source: USCIF.gov