Immigrant Visa Information

Overview

In general, a person who wishes to immigrate to the United States must have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. The petition is filed either by a qualified relative or a potential employer at a USCIS office in the United States. Specific information about filing immigrant petitions is available on the USCIS website. An individual with an approved petition and a priority date that is current for processing (when applicable) is eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or K nonimmigrant visa.

Petitions in Indonesia

Effective August 15, 2011, petitioners residing in Indonesia, where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, must file their Forms I-130 with USCIS.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates that do not have a USCIS presence will only be able to accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances.

USCIS Immigrant Fee

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $220.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee to USCIS after receiving their visas and before traveling to the United States. The only exemptions to this fee are children adopted under the Orphan (IR-3), Iraqi or Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. Government, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas.

For additional information on the fee and how to pay it, please visit the USCIS website.

Exceptional Filling

Beginning August 15, 2011, petitioners in Indonesia who believe their situation merits an exception may request the Consular Section to accept the filing. Each request will be evaluated individually.

A petitioner seeking to file a Form I-130 should contact the Consular Section to request consideration for exception and explain the circumstances in detail. The Consular Section will then relay the request for an exception to the USCIS field office with jurisdiction over the Embassy in Indonesia. The determination of whether the case presents exceptional circumstances which warrant an exception to the general filing process will be made by USCIS.

Medical Requirements

All applicants must undergo a medical exam by an Embassy-approved Panel Physician. Information about the medical exam can be found here. You will receive instructions about how to schedule an appointment for your medical exam from NVC or the Embassy. Do not try to make an appointment before receiving these instructions.

Embassy Appointment

If you have an interview date, you must appear at the Embassy on the date of your appointment. You should arrive at the Embassy fifteen minutes before your appointment. Please read about security restrictions at the Embassy that describe what you can and cannot bring with you to your interview. You should bring your appointment letter and the documents required for your visa class.