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Immigrant Visas

Immigration to the U.S.

In general there are three ways to obtain an immigrant visa:

  1. Sponsorship by an immediate family member:  READ MORE

    Getting married to a U.S. citizen in the United States:  If the fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen intends traveling to the United States to marry and take up indefinite residence after marriage, he or she will require a fiancé(e) visa. A fiancé(e) cannot enter the United States on a visitor visa or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program to take up indefinite residence.  However,  if you will return to your permanent place of residence outside the United States after the marriage has taken place you should apply for a B-2 visa, or if eligible travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

    The first step in applying for a fiancé(e) visa is for the U.S. Citizen fiancé(e) (the petitioner) to file a petition on Form I-129F with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) having jurisdiction over his/her place of residence in the U.S. Note: The petition can only be filed with the USCIS in the U.S.; it cannot be filed an embassy or consulate abroad.  This visa allows the alien fiance(e) to enter the United States and marry within 90 days. Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for information on How Do I Bring My Fiance/e To The United States.

    Once the petition is aproved by the USCIS, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire for additional processing before being forwarded to the Embassy or Consulate having jurisdiction over the fiancé(e) visa applicant's place of residence.

    The period of time it will take to process the application will vary with each individual's circumstances. When filing the petition, form I-129F, with the USCIS, your fiancé(e) should ask how long the petition will take to be processed.

    Following the marriage, the alien spouse must apply to the USCIS for conditional residence status.

  2. Sponsorship by a prospective employer:

    A prospective employer may also sponsor you for an immigrant visa. In general, the employer will have to show that you have recognized exceptional abilities or professional qualifications which are needed in the United States.  Employers filing an Immigrant Petition for an Alien Worker (Form I-140) should mail that form directly to the Nebraska Service Center. Employers should file any accompanying forms at the same centralized location. More information about this change is available by calling USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) toll-free at 1-800-375-5283, by visiting USCIS.gov.

  3. Winning the Green Card Lottery:

    The United States currently issues 55,000 immigrant visas per year to persons worldwide under a lottery system. Persons who wish to apply through the lottery program must enter online during the registration period. Follow this link for more information about the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. 

There can be no guarantees in advance that a visa will be issued until the formal visa interview has taken place. Applicants are advised not to make non-refundable travel arrangements until after the visa had been approved.

Applicants may be found ineligible in accordance with immigrant visa law. For example, if you have a communicable disease, have committed criminal acts, previously violated the immigration laws, or you are likely to become a public charge you will be found ineligible. If you are found ineligible, the consular officer will advise you if the law provides for a waiver of your ineligibility.

For general information on immigrant visas, please call the Visa Information Service. If you have an immigrant visa case pending with the Embassy, please contact our Immigrant Visa Unit at +353-1-668-8777 any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., excepting Irish and American holidays.

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