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What Is Consular Processing (DS-260)?
Consular processing is the process through which an individual applies for an immigrant visa from outside the United States after an approved immigrant petition.
As part of this process, the applicant must complete Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) through the National Visa Center (NVC) and submit required civil and financial documents.
Once the case is complete, it is forwarded to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an immigrant visa interview.
Who May Apply?
Common situations include:
• Individuals with an approved immigrant petition (such as Form I-130)
• Applicants completing their process through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad
• Family-based or certain employment-based immigrant visa applicants
Each case is unique and eligibility may depend on several factors, including the approved petition and supporting documentation.
If you are unsure whether this process applies to your situation, you may wish to review your case with a licensed immigration attorney.
Forms Commonly Included in This Process
Depending on the case, the process may include preparing:
• Form DS-260 – Immigrant Visa Application
• Form I-864 – Affidavit of Support (if applicable)
Additional forms and supporting documents may be required depending on the case.
How We Help
Our office assists with:
• Preparing Form DS-260 based on the information you provide
• Reviewing your information for completeness and consistency
• Assisting with uploading required civil and supporting documents to the NVC portal
• Preparing the Affidavit of Support package (if applicable)
• Organizing your case for submission to the National Visa Center (NVC)
Our office assists with the preparation and organization of immigration forms and documents based on the information provided by the client.
Ready to Start Your Process?
This service requires an initial consultation before beginning the preparation process.
During the consultation we will:
• Review your situation
• Provide general information about the immigration process
• Explain how our office may assist you with preparing your case
To schedule your consultation, please visit our Book a Consultation page.
The consultation fee is $5 for a 30-minute session.
Please note that our office is not a law firm, and the consultation is for informational purposes only and does not include legal advice.
NVC and Consular Process
After submission of the DS-260 and required documents, the National Visa Center (NVC) will review the case.
Once the case is considered complete, it will be scheduled for an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Interview scheduling and processing times vary depending on the embassy or consulate handling the case.
Important Notice
CNIS Immigration Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation.
Our services are limited to immigration document preparation and administrative assistance based on the information provided by the client.
If you require legal advice, we recommend consulting with a licensed immigration attorney.
