What is the primary role of the National Visa Center (NVC)?

The primary role of the National Visa Center (NVC) is to process immigrant visa applications and facilitate coordination with U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. After an immigrant petition is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the NVC takes over the case. It handles the initial steps necessary for the immigrant visa process, such as collecting necessary fees, documents, and information from applicants before forwarding the case to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate for the interview and final processing.

This role is vital as it ensures that all paperwork is in order before an applicant attends their visa interview, streamlining the process. The NVC does not issue employment visas directly, conduct immigration hearings, or oversee refugee resettlement programs, which are instead managed by other agencies or departments within the immigration system. By focusing on processing immigrant visa applications and liaising with embassies, the NVC effectively supports the broader immigration framework, allowing for a more organized approach to managing visa applications.