How to File a Petition
Petitions
How to File a Petition
How do I File an Immigrant Visa Petition for my Family Members?
If you are an American citizen who has been living in Iraq for more than six continuous months, you may file a petition for a family member at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad if you can prove you have long-term residency granted by the Government of Iraq. Please visit http://uscis.gov for complete information on filing an I-130 form (Petition for an Alien Relative). Send an e-mail to BaghdadIV@state.gov to request an appointment to file the petition.
If you do not have long-term residency in Iraq, or you are a legal permanent resident (LPR), then you may file a petition in the United States at a USCIS field office. Please visit http://uscis.gov for a list of field offices. All fiancé (K-1) petitions are filed in the United States at a USCIS field office, not at an Embassy overseas.
Petition Filing Fees
Whether you file in person or by mail, you must pay the fee when you file the petition. Pay cash when you file in person. Pay with a money order, personal check, or cashiers check when you pay by mail.
Visit http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm for a list of fees.
How long does it take to get an appointment once the petition is filed?
Processing time depends on the type of petition. Petitions filed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad require about 2-4 months from filing to scheduling an appointment for the visa interview. This amount of time may lengthen depending on available resources. If you have filed the petition in the United States, the processing time may be longer.