November 17, 2025

The National Visa Center (NVC) Process: What Happens After I-140 Approval

If you are pursuing an EB-3 employment-based green card from outside the United States, your case does not go straight from USCIS to a visa. Instead, once your employer’s petition is approved, an office called the National Visa Center (NVC) generally becomes your main point of contact for months. Understanding what the NVC does can help you stay organized and avoid delays.

This post explains the general role of the National Visa Center in consular processing. It is meant to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed immigration attorney — it is not legal advice.

Where the NVC Fits in the EB-3 Process

For workers who are outside the United States, the EB-3 path is called consular processing. The general sequence looks like this:

Your employer completes the PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor (this sets your priority date).
Your employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with USCIS.
After the I-140 is approved and your priority date is current on the monthly Visa Bulletin, USCIS transfers the approved petition to the National Visa Center.
The NVC collects fees, your immigrant visa application, and your supporting documents.
When your case is documentarily complete and a visa number is available, the NVC schedules your consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

In short, the NVC is the bridge between USCIS and the U.S. Department of State’s consular officers abroad. It does not decide your case, but it prepares your case so a consular officer can.

What the NVC Asks You to Do

Once the NVC receives your approved petition, it will generally contact you (or your attorney or petitioner) with a case number and instructions. The main steps typically include the following.

Pay the Required Fees

The NVC generally collects an immigrant visa application processing fee and an Affidavit of Support fee through its online system. Fees change, so never rely on an old figure. Confirm the current amounts on the official State Department fee page before you pay.

Complete Form DS-260

Each applicant — the principal EB-3 worker and any accompanying family members — generally files Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, online through the Consular Electronic Application Center. The DS-260 asks about your background, work history, and travel. Answer carefully and truthfully; errors can cause delays.

Collect and Submit Civil Documents

The NVC generally requires civil documents to support your application. Depending on your situation, these often include a passport biographic page, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), police certificates from countries where you have lived, and any court or military records that apply. The State Department maintains a country-specific Document Finder that tells you which documents are available and acceptable from your country — always check it, because requirements differ by country.

Provide the Affidavit or Job Offer Evidence

For employment-based cases, the NVC generally expects evidence tied to your job offer and your sponsoring employer, which your attorney or employer typically helps assemble.

After Your Documents Are Reviewed

When the NVC determines your case is documentarily complete and an immigrant visa number is available, it forwards your case for interview scheduling. As of a change effective November 1, 2025, the NVC generally schedules applicants for their interview in their country of residence (or country of nationality if specifically requested) — verify the current policy on the official NVC pages, because scheduling rules can change.

Before your interview, you will also generally complete a medical examination with an authorized panel physician. We cover that in a separate post.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the NVC stage take? It varies widely and depends on how quickly fees and documents are submitted, how complete they are, visa number availability, and government workload. No one can promise you a specific timeline. Check current processing information on travel.state.gov and consult your attorney.

Do I file the DS-260, or does my employer? The DS-260 is generally completed by each intending immigrant — the principal worker and each accompanying family member. Your employer files the earlier I-140 petition; the DS-260 is your part of the consular stage. Many applicants complete it with an attorney’s help.

What is the difference between the NVC and consular processing versus Adjustment of Status? The NVC and consular processing apply when you are outside the United States — your immigrant visa is issued abroad. Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) is the path for eligible applicants who are already inside the United States. You generally use one path or the other, not both.

Can the NVC deny my green card? The NVC does not adjudicate eligibility or issue final decisions. It collects and pre-screens your fees, application, and documents, then forwards your case for a consular interview, where a consular officer makes the visa decision.

A Few Important Reminders

Immigration outcomes are never guaranteed. No agency, employer, or attorney can promise you a visa, a green card, or a specific timeline — outcomes depend on your individual facts, government processing, and visa availability.

Government fees and processing rules change. Any fee, form edition, or date referenced here is as of July 2026 — verify the current details on the official government pages listed below before relying on them.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance about your specific situation, please consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney and rely on the official government sources below.

Sources

U.S. Department of State — The Immigrant Visa Process (National Visa Center): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process.html
U.S. Department of State — Form DS-260 (Consular Electronic Application Center): https://ceac.state.gov/iv/
U.S. Department of State — Fees for Visa Services: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
U.S. Department of State — Document Finder: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Consular Processing: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Form I-140: https://www.uscis.gov/i-140