NVC Processing Times

How long does the National Visa Center take to process immigrant visa cases? Current wait times by case type, updated monthly from NVC data.

Data as of June 2026. NVC publishes monthly processing times at travel.state.gov. Processing times represent when NVC receives a complete package to when they send it to the consulate — interview scheduling adds additional time.

NVC Processing Times by Case Type

Case Type	Current Receipts	Processing Time	Notes
Immigrant Visa — Employment-Based (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)	December 2025	4–6 months	After I-140 approved and priority date current
Immigrant Visa — Family Preference (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4)	November 2025	5–8 months	Longer for F4 (siblings) due to higher demand
Immigrant Visa — Immediate Relatives (IR-1, IR-2, IR-5)	January 2026	3–5 months	Fastest family-based category — no annual cap
Diversity Visa (DV Lottery)	FY2026 winners	2–4 months	Must be processed before September 30, 2026
Returning Resident (SB-1)	January 2026	6–10 months	Requires embassy interview; NVC involvement limited

NVC Process — Step by Step

Case Creation at NVC

After USCIS approves I-130 or I-140, the case is transferred to NVC. NVC assigns a case number (not the same as receipt number). Timeline: 2–6 weeks after USCIS approval.

Pay Fees

NVC collects the Immigrant Visa fee ($325 per principal applicant) and Affidavit of Support fee ($120). Fees paid at pay.gov. NVC notifies you via email.

Submit Documents

Upload civil documents (birth certificate, police certificates, marriage/divorce certificates, military records) and Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) via the CEAC portal.

Document Review

NVC reviews submitted documents and may send a Notice of Incomplete Documents. Average review time: 3–8 weeks once complete package is submitted.

Case Complete — Interview Scheduled

NVC notifies you the case is "documentarily qualified" and forwards it to the US consulate. Consulate schedules the immigrant visa interview.

Consular Interview & Approval

Interview at the US embassy/consulate. If approved, passport with immigrant visa is returned within 5–10 business days. Travel to the US within 6 months of visa issuance.

NVC Contact Information

NVC Phone

1-603-334-0700

Mon–Fri 7AM–12AM EST

NVC Fax

1-603-334-0001

For document submission (most docs now via CEAC portal)

CEAC Portal

ceac.state.gov

Upload documents, check status

Case Status

ceac.state.gov

Check status with case number + invoice

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NVC Processing Times