Embassy of the United States Doha, Qatar

Brief Overview

An immigrant visa (IV) may be issued under several circumstances. Most commonly, it is issued to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, family-based relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, fiances of U.S. citizens, and certain employment-based applicants. The IV process begins with the filing of an application (called a "petition") with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).  If issued, an IV entitles the recipient to U.S. permanent residence status.

How to Apply

Step 1: Select an IV category and get the right petition: Applying under the correct IV category and submitting the correct petition (i.e. application form) is important. These are the most commonly used IV categories, please click the links below to see if you qualify and, if you do, get the right petition:

(Please click on the name for the explanation of the visa category or the form number for the form with instructions.)

• Immediate Relative - I-130 Form
• Family-based Relative- I-130 Form
• Fiance - I-129F Form
• Employment-based - I-140, I-360, or I-156 Form (depending on the IV class)

If you plan to apply under another category, please click here to get started.

Step 2: File your petition: Once you determine how you qualify and what petition to file, you need to file your petition with USCIS.

Step 3: After your petition is filed, prepare for your interview:

• For all petitions filed with the USCIS, you need to follow the instructions sent to you from the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will ask you to pay a fee, fill out some forms, gather some documents, and will schedule an interview for you at our Consular Section.   
• Please click on the below link to read the following pamphlet: (available in multiple languages)

Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa 

• The last item required before your scheduled interview at our Consular Section is a completed medical exam. Download the following letter for instructions to complete your exam. 

                               Medical Letter for Immigration

Note: All correspondence related to your petition will be sent to the address listed for the applicant (called a "beneficiary") on the petition. Please ensure that the address you provide is clear and complete.

Step 4: Appear for your interview: On the day of your interview, please come prepared with all of the required information. Review your case ahead of time to make sure that you have completed all the requirements. If your case is complete and you are qualified, a consular officer will issue your IV after concluding your interview.   

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about the IV process, please contact us.