Getting your I-130 petition approved is a big step in bringing your family together in the United States. Once your petition is approved, you’re one step closer to being reunited with your loved ones. But what comes next? In this blog post, we’ll talk about what to do after your I-130 petition is approved. We’ll break it down into simple steps that are easy to understand.
Step 1: Wait for the Visa Bulletin
After your I-130 petition is approved and your relative is immediate relative, you’ll need to wait for something called the Visa Bulletin. It’s like a waiting list that tells you when it’s your turn to start the immigrant visa process. The Visa Bulletin is updated every month, and it’s important to keep an eye on it.
You’ll notice there are different categories and countries listed in the Visa Bulletin. Your family member’s category and the country they are from will determine when they can apply for a visa. Sometimes, the wait can be short and other times it can be longer. Be patient and keep checking the Visa Bulletin until your turn comes.
Step 2: Pay Fees and Complete DS-260 Forms
Once your family member’s priority date becomes current according to the Visa Bulletin, it’s time to start the visa application process. You’ll need to pay some fees and fill out forms. One of the forms is DS-260 which is an online immigrant visa application form. On the form, you will see questions about your family member’s, their education, background and more. You’ll also need to pay fees like immigrant visa and affidavit of support fees which are the costs for processing the visa application.
Step 3: Interview Appointment
Once the priority date becomes current and the NVC has all the required documents and fees, they will schedule the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country and send you the interview appointment letter. The wait time can be short or long depending on your visa category.
Step 4: Attend a Medical Exam
Before your family member can come to the United States, they’ll need to have a medical exam. The U.S. government wants to make sure that everyone entering the country is healthy. The medical exam is done by a special doctor recommended by the U.S consulate. They will check your family member’s health and give them any required vaccinations.
Make sure to bring all the necessary documents to the medical exam, like the visa appointment letter and your family member’s passport. The Doctor will send the results of the exam directly to the U.S. consulate.
Step 5: Attend the Visa Interview
After your family member completes the medical exam, it’s time for the visa interview. This is an important step where a U.S. embassy or consulate officer will talk to your family member to make sure they meet all the requirements for the visa.
During the interview, your family member will need to bring important documents, such as their passport, the DS-260 confirmation page, the visa appointment letter, and any supporting documents that prove their relationship with you. Be prepared to answer questions about your relationship and their intention to come to the United States.
Step 6: Get Ready to Travel
Once the visa is approved, your family member will receive their passport with the visa stamp. This means they are now allowed to come to the United States.
Reuniting with your family in the United States is a wonderful and exciting moment. After your I-130 petition is approved, following these simple steps can help you bring your loved ones closer. Be patient, stay organized, and follow the rules to make the process go smoothly. Remember that it’s a journey, and you’ll soon have your family together again.