Immigrant Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Information on Immigration, Visas, and the Application Process?
Visit the web sites of the Department of State, http://travel.state.gov/, and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), http://www.uscis.gov/, for comprehensive information on the immigration process including downloadable forms and instructions.
How can I request the transfer of my immigrant visa case to U.S. Embassy Baghdad from another U.S. Embassy?
Please e-mail BaghdadIV@state.gov to request the transfer of a case file to Baghdad. Note the case number in the subject line of the e-mail and also provide your full contact information as well as the current location of your case. Transferring a file to U.S. Embassy Baghdad may result in a lengthier processing time. We will contact the other Embassy on your behalf to request a transfer and we will contact you to schedule an appointment after we receive the case.
How can I request the transfer of my immigrant visa case from U.S. Embassy Baghdad to a different U.S. Embassy?
Contact the American Embassy where you want to be interviewed and ask for their permission to transfer your case to their facility. If they agree, they will e-mail us directly to request the transfer. You can obtain contact information for all U.S. Embassies at travel.state.gov.
How can I withdraw a petition which is currently located at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for processing?
If you are the petitioner and you want to withdraw the petition, for whatever reason, please send an original, signed, and notarized letter requesting the Immigrant Visa Unit withdraw the petition.
How Do I Schedule or Cancel an Appointment?
Please send an e-mail to BaghdadIV@state.gov to schedule or cancel an appointment.
Can I get an earlier appointment?
Appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad are given on a first come, first serve basis. If you have urgent travel plans, please notify the Embassy and we will make every effort to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee an earlier appointment date.
Where do I complete the medical exam and what are the fees?
You will receive information regarding the medical exam and fees when your appointment is scheduled from the National Visa Center (NVC). You can also send an e-mail to BaghdadIV@state.gov. Note your case number in the subject line.
How long does it take to get my visa after the interview?
Some immigrant visas are ready to be issued within two weeks of the interview. Others cases require additional time due to missing documents or administrative processing. Some are ready within weeks and others can take several months. We process each case as expeditiously as possible and we regularly monitor the status of pending cases. We will notify you by e-mail when we can take action on your case.
How to add family members to your application:
If the principal applicant (spouse or parent) received an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy that entitles them to bring their immediate family to the United States without filing a petition (spouse and children), they may request an appointment from the Embassy.
Applicants should send the following to the Embassy:
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Certified copy of the principal applicant’s passport or re-entry permit (all pages), showing entry and exit stamps to U.S.
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Certified copy of the principal applicant’s legal permanent resident card
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Marriage certificate or birth certificate (original or certified copy) showing your relationship to the principal applicant. Also include a copy of the Extract of the Family Book showing this person’s relation to the principal applicant.
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Any other information you may have about the visa classification and priority date.
Please send the original documents via DHL to the Immigrant Visa Unit to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. Include your telephone number and e-mail address.
If the documents meet the requirements of U.S. immigration law, you will receive an e-mail containing an appointment letter and Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants.
If the principal applicant (spouse or parent) adjusted status in the United States, then the qualifying following-to-join applicant must be processed through the National Visa Center (NVC), 32 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801-2902.
My Petition has been Returned to USCIS for Review - What Happens Next?
You will be contacted by the USCIS office that originally processed your petition. They will communicate with you regarding the status of the petition. If they ask you for additional documentation, submit it to them directly. USCIS will notify the U.S. Embassy on their decision and the U.S. Embassy will contact you with more information.