Immigrant Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What documents are required on the day of my interview?
A. Please follow this link to learn which documents you should bring to your interview.
Q. How can I request that my case be transferred from the Immigrant Visa Unit in Amman to another U.S. Embassy?
A. In order for us to transfer a case, the file must be requested from the receiving post. For example, if you want to transfer your file to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara you should contact the U.S. Embassy there. If they agree to accept the case and request the file from us, we will then forward it.
Q. How can I request that case be transferred from another U.S. Embassy to the Immigrant Visa Unit in Amman?
A. Please contact us at Amman-IV@State.gov for an appointment. The transfer is not guaranteed, but you are welcome to present compelling reasons for your case to be transferred to Amman. For instance, if the beneficiary lives in Amman permanently, you may choose to present his / her residency card. If we can accept the case, resources permitting, you will sign a formal request on the day of your interview and we will forward an official request on your behalf. Please bring information pertaining to your case at the time of the interview, including the case number. Please note that transferring your case to Amman will not expedite the process and in many instances results in a further delay.
Q. Where do I do the medical exam and what are the fees?
A. Embassy Amman accepts medical reports from the designated panel physicians only. Please follow this link for more information.
Q. How do I submit any document required for the visa process?
A. All documents must be brought to the visa interview. After the interview, all documents, including passports, should be mailed to Embassy Amman by Aramex. Faxed documents are not accepted.
Q. I just filed an I-130 petition with USCIS. What is the status of the case?
A. If you have an application receipt number, you can follow this link to check case status.
Q. How can I withdraw a petition that I already filed and is currently at Embassy Amman for processing?
A. If the petitioner decides to withdraw the petition, s/he must provide an original, signed and notarized letter making a formal request to the Immigrant Visa Unit to withdraw the petition.
Q. How long does it take to get my visa after the visa interview?
A. Most visas are issued and sent to the applicant within one to two weeks. Some cases require additional administrative processing as per visa regulations. In such cases, the administrative processing takes an average of five months to be completed.
Q. Will my case require administrative processing?
A. We can not determine this until the day of the interview. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement at the conclusion of the interview.
Q. How long does the administrative process take?
A. Most administrative processing is completed within five months of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. The administrative processing occurs in Washington, DC and can not be expedited or waived. Visa applicants are reminded not to make any non-refundable travel plans until they receive their visas.
Q. How can I check the status of my administrative processing?
A. All Immigrant Visa applicants who are pending administrative processing can check their case status by clicking here.
Q. Will you contact me when my administrative processing is complete?
A. No. All applicants must check their own cases by clicking here.
Q. How long can a lawful permanent resident remain outside of the United States?
A. A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the U.S. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To re-enter the U.S. a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A re-entry permit is needed for re-entry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration. You can find more information about travel documents at the USCIS website.
Q. How do I maintain Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.?
A. You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident. You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:
- Move to another country intending to live there permanently.
- Remain outside of the U.S. for more than one year without obtaining a re-entry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned, any length of absence from the U.S. may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
- Remain outside of the U.S. for more than two years after issuance of a re-entry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned, any length of absence from the U.S. may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
- Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the U.S. for any period.
- Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.
Q. Can I get an earlier appointment?
A. Appointments at Embassy Amman are given on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the heavy demand for appointments and the volume of requests to reschedule, the embassy does not have the capacity to accommodate such requests for earlier appointments.
Q. How can I follow up on my case after it has been returned to USCIS for review?
A. Cases that are slated for return to USCIS, are sent to the office in which the petition was originally filed in the United States. The petitioner is then contacted by that office, usually a few months after the interview, but the wait can be longer depending on case volume. You are advised to submit any additional information directly to USCIS at that time. No further action will be taken on the case by the Immigrant Visa Unit after it has been slated for review by USCIS.
Q. How can I abandon my Lawful Permanent Resident status?
A. Please follow this link for instructions on submitting your abandonment worksheet (Form I-407).
Q. What should I do if my legal permanent resident card expires?
A. The renewal of legal permanent resident cards is under the authority of USCIS only. There is currently no USCIS presence in Jordan. Embassy Amman has no authority to renew legal permanent resident cards. This can only be done through USCIS. We strongly recommend that you return to the U.S. prior to the expiration of your legal permanent resident cards. If you absolutely must stay outside of the country when your green card will expire and you have been out of the U.S. less than one year, the embassy may be able to issue a transportation letter to facilitate your return to the U.S. However, this is not guaranteed nor should this be assumed.
Q. How do I add derivatives?
A. If the principal applicant (spouse or parent) was issued an immigrant visa at Embassy Amman, then the rest of the immediate family (spouse and children) may qualify as immigrants following-to-join the principal applicant, who is in the United States as a legal permanent resident. Applicants must present the following:
- Certified copy of the principle applicant’s passport or re-entry permit (all pages), showing entry and exit stamps to U.S.
- Certified copy of the principal applicant’s legal permanent resident card
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate (original or certified copy) showing your relationship to the principal applicant
- Any other information you may have about the visa classification and priority date.
Once you have obtained the items listed above, please mail to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the following address:
Immigrant Visa Unit
Consular Section
P.O. Box 354
Amman, 11118
Jordan
If all the above documentation meet the requirements, you will receive an appointment letter and a copy of the Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants so that you may begin immigrant visa processing. Please include your return address and telephone numbers.
If the principal applicant (spouse or parent) adjusted status in the United States, then the qualifying following-to-join applicant must be processed through the National Visa Center (NVC):
National Visa Center
32 Rochester Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2902
Q. Can I discuss my case with a consular officer?
A. Walk-in hours are available to American citizen petitioners once each week.
For all other Immigrant Visa questions, please contact our office at:
Amman-IV@state.gov
(4.20.09)