🇺🇸 United States

DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application

Consular Processing Green Card Application

Hard ~60 min Immigrant VisaConsular ProcessingGreen CardNVC

/ What is this form?

DS-260 is the immigrant visa application for people processing their green card through a US embassy/consulate abroad (consular processing). Filed online through CEAC after the National Visa Center (NVC) assigns a case number. Covers family-based, employment-based, and diversity visa immigrants.

/ Who needs this form?

Approved I-130 or I-140 beneficiaries processing their green card abroad
Diversity Visa (green card) lottery winners
Anyone not eligible for adjustment of status (I-485) inside the US

/ What you need before you start

NVC case number and invoice ID

Passport

Complete travel and address history (last 10 years)

Education and employment history

Social media account handles (last 5 years)

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Receive NVC Case Number

After USCIS approves your I-130 or I-140, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). You'll receive a case number and invoice ID to access CEAC.

2 Pay NVC Fees

Pay the $325 Immigrant Visa Application fee (and $120 Affidavit of Support fee if applicable) through the CEAC portal before starting DS-260.

3 Complete DS-260 Online

Log in to CEAC with your case number. Fill in all sections: personal information, travel history, address history (10 years), education, employment, social media accounts (5 years).

4 Upload Civil Documents

Upload or mail required civil documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), police clearance certificates from each country lived in for 1+ year.

5 Attend Embassy Interview

After NVC processes your documents, you'll be scheduled for an immigrant visa interview at the US embassy in your home country.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Social media accounts	All platform handles/usernames used in the past 5 years	Don't omit any — these are cross-checked by the State Department
Address history	Every address you've lived at for the past 10 years	Gaps in address history trigger additional questions — be thorough and accurate

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not completing all fields — NVC will return incomplete applications

Not paying NVC fees before submitting ($325 per applicant)

Not preparing civil documents (birth certificates, police certificates) well in advance

/ Frequently asked questions

Is DS-260 the same as DS-160?

No. DS-160 is for temporary/nonimmigrant visas. DS-260 is for permanent immigration (green card) through consular processing.

How long after submitting DS-260 until the interview?

Currently several months to over a year depending on your home country and visa category. Check the NVC website for current wait times.