Consular Processing

What this form is used for

When a family-based petition is approved and the beneficiary is outside the United States, the case is generally sent to the National Visa Center. The DS-260 collects biographical and background information that supports the immigrant visa interview.

Who may generally use this form

• Beneficiaries of approved immigrant petitions who will be interviewed at a U.S. consulate abroad
• Applicants who have received instructions from the National Visa Center to complete the visa application
• Family members included in the same case who each require their own application
• Whether any inadmissibility issue affects your case must be evaluated by a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative

Documents commonly requested

• Passport valid for the period the consulate requires
• Birth certificate with a certified English translation if not in English
• Marriage certificate and prior divorce or death records, when applicable
• Police certificates from countries where you lived for the period the government specifies
• Court records for any arrests or convictions, if any exist
• Military service records, when applicable
• Photographs that meet the Department of State specifications

How our document preparation works

1. 1We review the National Visa Center instructions you received
2. 2You receive a checklist for civil documents and translations
3. 3We help you complete the online application with the information you provide
4. 4We organize the civil documents and a document index for the interview appointment
5. 5You review, submit, and attend the interview, and we help you prepare the document set to carry

How the USCIS process generally works