IMMIGRANT VISAS FILING INSTRUCTIONS

American citizens may file a petition for their spouse, children, or parents between the hours of 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

American citizens petitioning on behalf of their spouse need to accompany their spouse to the consular section and bring the following:

Evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization;

Marriage Certificate; as well as marriage certificates, divorce certificates, and death certificates from any previous marriages;

Two color photographs of each person;

U.S. $190.00 filing fee.

American citizens petitioning on behalf of their children need to bring the following:

Evidence of U.S. citizenship;

Children's birth certificates;

U.S. $190.00 filing fee for each petition.

American citizens petitioning on behalf of their parents need to bring the following:

Evidence of U.S. citizenship;

Birth certificate;

U.S. $190.00 filing fee for each petition.

General Information

Any applicant for an immigrant visa must be the beneficiary of an approved petition.

Applicants who believe they are entitled to immigrant status based on a relationship to a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident should request their relatives to a file Form I-130 with the nearest Immigration and Naturalization Service office in the United States. In some cases, if the American Citizen is abroad, he or she may file the petition with the American Embassy or Consulate.

Applicants for employment based immigrant visas, who believe they are entitled to immigrant status based on proposed employment in the United States, must have an approved Form I-140 from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Prior to receiving such approval, applicants must obtain Department of Labor certification that there are no qualified workers available in the United States to perform the proposed type of employment.

Immigrant Visa Categories

U.S. law divides immigrants into two general categories:

1. Immigrants not subject to numerical limitations:

- Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens- including spouses, unmarried children and parents;

-Returning Residents- those Legal Permanent Residents who lived abroad for more than one year.

2. Immigrants subject to numerical limitations:

- Unmarried sons or daughters over 21;

- Spouses and children of Legal Permanent Residents;

- Married sons or daughters of U.S. Citizens;

- Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens; and

- Employment based immigrants.

Applicants with further questions may contact the consular section for additional information about the specific categories of immigrant visas or visit the site www.travel.state.gov