Form DS-260 — Immigrant Visa Electronic Application

Overview

Form DS-260 is used in consular processing — the pathway to obtaining a US immigrant visa and ultimately a green card for people who are outside the United States. It is the consular processing equivalent of Form I-485, which is used for adjustment of status by people already inside the US. Consular processing involves multiple agencies: USCIS approves the underlying petition, then the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC), which manages the document collection phase, and finally to the US embassy or consulate for the interview. An important difference from adjustment of status is that in consular processing, the applicant receives an immigrant visa stamp in their passport and then travels to the US as an immigrant. The green card itself is mailed to the US address within weeks of arriving in the US. Police clearances are one of the most time-consuming aspects of DS-260 processing. Some countries process clearances in days; others take months. Apply for all needed police clearances as soon as your NVC case is opened — do not wait until you receive an interview notice.

Who needs Form DS-260?

Foreign nationals outside the United States who have an approved immigrant petition (I-130 or I-140) and are proceeding through consular processing to obtain an immigrant visa and green card.

What does Form DS-260 do?

Collects biographical, background, and eligibility information for the immigrant visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. The DS-260 is the final application form in the consular processing pathway.

Key requirements

Common mistakes to avoid

Processing details

After I-130 or I-140 approval, the case goes to NVC. For preference category cases, NVC holds the case until the priority date becomes current according to the Visa Bulletin. For immediate relative cases, NVC processing begins immediately. During the NVC phase, the applicant receives a welcome letter with instructions for submitting DS-260 and required civil documents through the NVC's online portal. After NVC review and when the priority date is current, NVC schedules the interview at the appropriate US embassy or consulate. At the interview, a consular officer reviews all documents and asks questions. If approved, the applicant receives an immigrant visa stamp in their passport and must enter the US within the validity period (typically 6 months).

After you file

After submitting DS-260, monitor your NVC case status and respond promptly to any requests. Schedule your medical examination with a State Department-approved panel physician as soon as your interview is scheduled — the exam has a specific validity period and must be current at the interview. After receiving your immigrant visa, you must enter the US before it expires. You will receive a sealed envelope from the consulate to give to CBP upon entry — do not open this envelope. After entering the US, your green card will be mailed to your US address within several weeks. Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235) within 30 days of entry.

Common situations

Sponsored by a US citizen spouse — living abroad

A US citizen files I-130 for a spouse abroad. Since spouses of US citizens are immediate relatives, there is no wait for visa availability. NVC processes the case and schedules an interview at the embassy. The spouse completes DS-260, obtains civil documents and a medical exam, and attends the interview. If approved, they receive an immigrant visa and travel to the US as a permanent resident.

Employment-based applicant in India with long wait

For workers born in India in EB-2 or EB-3 categories, visa waiting periods are extremely long — potentially decades. The I-140 sets the priority date but the case cannot proceed through NVC or to a consular interview until the priority date becomes current. Many Indian workers choose adjustment of status inside the US through I-485 if eligible.

Frequently asked questions

What is the NVC and what role does it play?

The National Visa Center is a State Department processing center that serves as the intermediary between USCIS and US embassies and consulates. After USCIS approves a petition, NVC collects fees, receives and reviews documents including DS-260 and civil documents, and forwards everything to the appropriate embassy or consulate for interview scheduling.

How long do I have to enter the US after receiving my immigrant visa?

Immigrant visas are typically issued for a 6-month period. You must enter the US within 6 months of the date the visa was issued. If you cannot enter within 6 months, contact NVC or the consulate.

Can my family members come with me?

Derivative beneficiaries — your spouse and unmarried children under 21 — can immigrate with you if included in the visa petition or added to the NVC case. Each family member needs their own DS-260, medical exam, civil documents, and visa interview. They can enter at the same time as the principal applicant or within the validity period of their own immigrant visas.

Why do police clearances take so long?

Police clearance processing times vary enormously by country. Some countries process in days; others take months. Countries with slow processes include China, India, Mexico, and several African nations. Apply for all needed police clearances as soon as your NVC case opens — not after receiving an interview notice.

Official DOS page for Form DS-260

Always download the latest version of the form directly from the official source.

Immigrant Visa Electronic Application