UNCLASSIFIED (U)

9 FAM 504.4

(U) Pre-Appointment Processing

(CT:VISA-931; 08-27-2019)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO/L/R)

9 FAM 504.4-1 (U) Statutory and Regulatory Authorities

9 FAM 504.4-1(A) (U) Immigration and Nationality Act

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) INA 101(a)(33) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(33)); INA 201 (8 U.S.C. 1151), INA 202(a) (8 U.S.C. 1152(b)); INA 202(b) (8 U.S.C. 1152(b)); INA 203(e) (8 U.S.C. 1153(e)); INA 203(f) (8 U.S.C. 1153(f)); INA 204 (8 U.S.C. 1154); INA 221(d) (8 U.S.C. 1201(d)); INA 222(a) (8 U.S.C. 1202(a)); INA 222(b) (8 U.S.C. 1202(b)).

9 FAM 504.4-1(B) (U) Code of Federal Regulations

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) 22 CFR 42.41; 22 CFR 42.52; 22 CFR 42.55; 22 CFR 42.61; 22 CFR 42.63; 22 CFR 42.64; 22 CFR 42.65; 22 CFR 42.66.

9 FAM 504.4-1(C) (U) Public Law

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, Public Law 104-208.

9 FAM 504.4-2 (U) Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants

9 FAM 504.4-2(A) (U) The Packet System

9 FAM 504.4-2(A)(1) (U) Importance of Standard Procedures

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) Consistency and standardization are important to the immigrant visa (IV) process. In the past, the Department used standardized mailings in the IV process, known as the packet system. More recently, electronic resources have provided the ability to address a wider range of questions.

b. (U) Remember that the IV process remains confusing to many applicants, especially those who do not have regular access to the Internet.

c. (U) Upon receipt of an approved petition granting an alien immediate relative or preference status, the National Visa Center (NVC) must send the alien beneficiary the NVC Welcome Letter (formerly Packet 3), Case Creation Notice (for PIVOT cases), or "Notice of Registration as an Intending Immigrant" letter (formerly Packet 3A) notifying the beneficiary of receipt of the petition and advising the alien what steps, if any, to take in applying for a visa. (See 9 FAM 504.4-2(B)).

9 FAM 504.4-2(A)(2) (U) General Guidelines

(CT:VISA-621; 07-09-2018)

a. (U) Inquiries Regarding Immigration:

(1) (U) The following standardized mailings are no longer used:

(a) (U) Packet 1;

(b) (U) Packet 2; and

(c) (U) Packet 2a

(2) (U) Respond to general inquiries regarding immigration by sending the appropriate information sheets. This includes questions about:

(a) (U) General immigration to the United States;

(b) (U) Specific family-based immigration programs; and

(c) (U) Specific employment-based immigration programs.

(3) (U) Do not retain any record of incoming inquiries on these topics in post correspondence files; and

(4) (U) Do not retain any record of response to these topics in post correspondence files.

b. (U) Packets for Immigrant Visa Processing: There are three standard IV instruction packets:

(1) (U) NVC Welcome Letter (formerly Packet 3). The NVC Welcome Letter that NVC provides (generated by the Immigrant Visa Information System (IVIS) or by the Pre IVO Technology (PIVOT) system, informs the agent to go to the Internet for additional information on what actions are needed next;

(2) (U) Appointment Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants (formerly Packet 4); and

(3) (U) Modified Follow-Up Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants (formerly Packet 4a).

c. (U) Combining Packets:

(1) (U) When combining packets, you must strictly observe the regulations defining:

(a) (U) entitled to immigrant classification;

(b) (U) documentarily qualified; and

(c) (U) priority date.

(2) (U) Use common sense when considering special situations. 9 FAM 504.4-2(B) and (C) below as well as 9 FAM 503.3-2 contain additional guidance. For example, if you know that the intending immigrant is the spouse of a U.S. citizen you should provide any information requested by the applicant or his or her agent(s). In this situation, you must be careful to remind inquirers of the importance of pursuing the IV process in a timely manner to avoid expired documentation.

9 FAM 504.4-2(B) (U) Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants From NVC

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) Upon receipt of an approved petition granting an alien immediate relative or preference status, the National Visa Center (NVC) must send the alien beneficiary the NVC Welcome Letter (formerly Packet 3) or "Notice of Registration as an Intending Immigrant" letter (formerly Packet 3A) notifying the beneficiary of receipt of the petition and advising the alien what steps, if any, to take in applying for a visa. (See paragraph f below.) For PIVOT cases, the Case Creation Notice will be sent to all parties on the case.

b. (U) Beneficiaries of Adoption-Related Petitions: USCIS will send approved immigrant petitions for adoptees and approval of Form I-600-A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (or Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country) to NVC. NVC will scan the approved petitions and forward them electronically to the receiving IV post. (See 9 FAM 502.3-3(C)) for additional information on processing orphan visas and 9 FAM 502.3-4(D) for additional information on processing Convention Adoptees.)

c. (U) Once an agent has been designated or when the Form DS-261 is not required (see 9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(1) below), NVC populates the IV application fee bill for each applicant to the designated agent. (Note: Applicants in PIVOT cases may choose agents and will receive fee instructions in CEAC.)

(1) (U) The IV fee bill letter instructs the applicant how and where to pay the IV fee bill.

(2) (U) If the IV fee is paid by mail, NVC will mail the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants to the designated agent.

(3) (U) If the IV fee(s) are paid online, the agent will be provided with information online once the fee payment has been confirmed. No mailing is necessary.

(4) (U) Both the physical and online instructions inform the agent to complete Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.

d. (U) NVC is responsible for the dispatch of virtually all instruction packets. The NVC Welcome Letter (formerly known as Packet 3) is described below.

e. (U) It is vitally important to promptly mail or otherwise provide the instruction package for immigrant visa applicants to applicants who are:

(1) (U) Entitled to immigrant status; and

(2) (U) Whose priority dates are within the Dates for Filing Applications established by the Department.

(3) (U) Whenever it is not possible to provide the instruction package in a timely manner, the post or NVC must submit a report, by memorandum, to the Department outlining the reasons it is unable to do so.

f. (U) The process taken at NVC for qualifying a case and scheduling an interview is described in 9 FAM 504.4-5(B)(1).

g. (U) When an alien's priority date is earlier than the Dates for Filing Applications established by the Department and published in the monthly Visa Bulletin (see 9 FAM 503.4-3(A)(3)), and if it is not necessary to have a labor certification revalidated, the automated system will generate a cover letter to be transmitted to the applicant or his or her agent with the appropriate information sheets and forms for further processing. It is important that posts actually send the information package as soon as possible. If the applicant is classifiable in more than one category, only the record for each classification in which the applicant's priority date is earlier than the Dates for Filing Applications can be annotated in the automated system. Ensure that the comments feature in any other cases is updated to reflect actions taken.

9 FAM 504.4-2(C) (U) Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants From Post

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) The Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa (IV) Applicants From Post Consists of:

(1) (U) The cover letter for the instruction package (generated by the IVO system);

(2) (U) Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness;

(3) (U) Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, and instructions, or Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, as appropriate;

(4) (U) Instructions for accessing Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration; and

(5) (U) Supplemental information sheets, as appropriate, on police certificate and civil document availability by country.

b. (U) You may also include a local nonstandard form covering other post-specific matters not covered by material above.

c. (U) For petitions filed at post, you must send the instruction package for IV applicants immediately to applicants, including immediate relatives, who have provided evidence of entitlement to immigrant classification. Verify that the applicant's priority date (if subject to a numerical limitation) is within the Dates for Filing Applications established by the Department. Evidence of entitlement to immigrant classification includes:

(1) (U) Form I-797, Notice of Action;

(2) (U) A petition approved at post;

(3) (U) Proof of derivative status; or

(4) (U) Proof of entitlement to returning resident status.

d. (U) Provide the Instruction Package to immigrant visa applicants and others upon request, regardless of whether the inquirer is entitled to immigrant classification, stressing that they should take no action unless directed by NVC, a visa processing post, or their agent.

e. (U) An applicant is registered for immigration to the United States upon the execution of the Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, and the payment of the prescribed fee.

f. (U) Upon Electronic Submission of Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration:

(1) (U) Initiate all appropriate clearances called for in 9 FAM 303 and 9 FAM 304;

(2) (U) Send additional instructions for accessing Form DS-260 to any derivative applicants along with the interview appointment letter and medical forms. (See 9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(2)); and

(3) (U) Also, see 9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(1) for additional discussion of determination that an applicant is documentarily qualified.

9 FAM 504.4-2(D) (U) Immigrant Visa (IV) Appointment Letter

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) The Immigrant Visa Appointment Letter provides instructions for IV applicants to make formal application for an immigrant visa:

(1) (U) This letter is generated automatically by IVO or by IVIS/PIVOT; and

(2) (U) The instructions in this letter and the links that it provides advise applicants about preparations for the medical examination, obtaining original documentation, providing photographs, and reviewing visa guidelines.

b. (U) Post or NVC must send the Immigrant Visa Appointment Letter to aliens who are documentarily qualified and for whom an appointment has been scheduled. Do not schedule appointments for applicants chargeable to a numerical limitation prior to receipt of allocations of visa numbers from the Department.

9 FAM 504.4-2(E) (U) Records Updated to Reflect Information Provided

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) If provided by post, the automated Immigrant Visa Overseas (IVO) system will automatically record the date that post prints the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants cover letter:

(1) (U) Provide this letter and attachments as soon as possible after printing; and

(2) (U) If you provide later copies of the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants to the applicant, make a record in the comments field of IVO to reflect this fact.

b. (U) NVC will also record the date the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants is printed or downloaded from the Internet in IVIS or generated and transmitted by PIVOT after the IV fees are paid (see 9 FAM 504.4-2(A) and 9 FAM 504.6-5(B)).

9 FAM 504.4-3 (U) Standard and Nonstandard Forms

9 FAM 504.4-3(A) (U) Standard Forms

9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(1) (U) Form DS-261, Online Choice of Address and Agent for Immigrant Visa Applicants

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) This form allows the principal applicant to designate an agent for his or her case that will be processed in the IVIS system. (Note: Applicants in PIVOT cases may choose agents in CEAC.)

b. (U) "Agent" means the person who will receive mailings from NVC:

(1) (U) The agent may be the petitioner, an attorney, a friend, or a nongovernmental or community-based organization;

(2) (U) The agent cannot sign documents on behalf of the applicant;

(3) (U) The agent can assist with fee payments and document collection; and

(4) (U) The principal applicant may choose to designate him or herself as the agent.

c. (U) NVC holds the file until the principal applicant signs and submits Form DS-261 for cases in the IVIS system, or until an applicant signs into CEAC for PIVOT cases. If there is no contact with NVC within one year and a visa number is available, the NVC will begin the case termination process. (See 9 FAM 504.13-2(D) for further details.)

d. (U) No Form DS-261, Online Choice of Address and Agent, is required if:

(1) (U) The alien is self-petitioning; or

(2) (U) An alien is a child and is being adopted.

(3) (U) NVC receives the petition from USCIS with a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, on file

(4) (U) The alien's case is in the PIVOT system.

e. (U) When NVC sends instructions for accessing Form DS-261, Online Choice of Address and Agent, to the applicant, NVC also will send an Affidavit of Support (AOS) fee bill to the petitioner for some visa classifications. Applicants in PIVOT cases will receive this information when they log into CEAC. When cases become active, the initial NVC Welcome Letter (see 9 FAM 504.2-2(E)) includes the following additional items:

(1) (U) The AOS fee bill;

(2) (U) Instructions describing how and where to pay the fee; and

(3) (U) Instructions for accessing Form DS-261.

f. (U) NVC also notifies the petitioner that no further action can be taken until the fee is paid. Petitioners in PIVOT cases will receive this information when they log into CEAC. Upon payment of the fee, the petitioner is instructed to complete the AOS form and return it to NVC:

(1) (U) If the AOS fee is paid by mail, NVC mails the Petitioner Packet instructions to the petitioner, which directs them to the online processing instructions.

(2) (U) If the AOS fee is paid online, the agent is provided with this information online once the fee payment has been confirmed. No mailing is necessary.

(3) (U) The information provided in either case instructs the petitioner to complete one of the Affidavit of Support (AOS) Forms (I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, I-864EZ, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act or I-864W, Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption) and return it to NVC.

9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(2) (U) Application Forms

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) The only questionnaire-type form that may be used under standard procedures is Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. Any nonstandard form, letter, or information sheet that a post believes is necessary because of an unusual local situation must be submitted to the appropriate post liaison officer in the Immigration and Employment Division (CA/VO/F/IE), for consideration, and may not be used without advance approval. (See 9 FAM 504.4-3(B).) The Paperwork Reduction Act requires Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval before a U.S. Government agency may employ a new form to collect information. This requirement includes forms for local use by overseas consular sections. This form cannot be submitted in any language other than English.

b. (U) Importance of U.S. Address: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses the address stated on Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, as the alien's final destination to mail the Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (machine-readable green card), to the visa recipient. It is important, therefore, that the alien furnish as complete an address as possible, including ZIP code. The alien may use the address of a prospective employer if there are no friends or relatives to whom Form I-551 may be forwarded.

9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(3) (U) Medical Screening Forms

(CT:VISA-706; 11-05-2018)

(U) The required medical screening forms listed in 9 FAM 302.2-3(F)(2) are available in myData. You should send copies of the fillable PDF forms to the panel physicians electronically.

9 FAM 504.4-3(B) (U) Post-Specific Information Sheets and Forms

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) You may prepare an additional information sheet containing post-specific information. Keep this information sheet as short as possible and make it available through posts Internet site and in hard copy. Provide an electronic copy of all post-specific information sheets to the Immigration and Employment Division (CA/VO/F/IE). Although you are not required to seek advanced approval for nonstandard information sheets, note that the Visa Office NVC may require coordination and consolidation of information sheets in the interest of management efficiency.

b. (U) Do not translate forms used in the immigrant visa process into the local language. You may prepare a local language information sheet explaining the forms.

9 FAM 504.4-4 (U) Supporting Documents

9 FAM 504.4-4(A) (U) Basic Document Requirements

(CT:VISA-706; 11-05-2018)

a. (U) INA 222(b) requires that an applicant applying for an immigrant visa (IV) submit the following documentation, if available:

(1) (U) A valid unexpired passport or other suitable travel document (see 22 CFR 42.2 for the detailed listing of categories of immigrants not required to present a passport in applying for an immigrant visa (IV). See 9 FAM 201.2 for information on waiver of the IV passport requirement.)

(2) (U) A copy of the police certificate for the country of nationality and country of the alien's residence at the time of visa application if the applicant has resided there for six months or more;

(3) (U) A copy of police certificates for any other country in which the applicant has resided for one year or more;

(4) (U) Certified copies of prison records, if applicable;

(5) (U) Certified copies of military records; if applicable;

(6) (U) A certified copy of the birth record;

(7) (U) Other documents establishing relationship to spouse or children, if applicable; and

(8) (U) Records or documents pertinent to the applicant's identity or visa classification with respect to visa eligibility.

b. (U) Availability of Supporting Documents: For information regarding the availability of documents, (see Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder for the country concerned).

c. (U) Validity of Application and Supporting Documents :

(1) (U) Forms DS-260, Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration: Form DS-260, Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, is valid for one year from the date of the biometric oath.

(2) (U) Medical Examination: The validity of medical examination varies depending on the class condition. See 9 FAM 302.2-3(C) for medical examination validity periods. In no instance is the medical valid for more than six months.

(3) (U) Supporting Documents: Supporting documents that are subject to change are valid for one year from the date of the biometric oath.   This includes police certificates from any country visited or inhabited subsequent to the previous clearances. It does not apply to a birth certificate police certificates from an area to which the alien has not returned since previous clearances.

(4) (U) Affidavit of Support: The affidavit of support (AOS) remains valid indefinitely. However, because the AOS is based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines in effect at the time of the AOS is submitted, you have the discretion to ask for updated tax information, but should only do so if you have concerns the sponsor no longer meets those poverty guidelines. See also 8 CFR 213a.2(a)(1)(v)(B) and 9 FAM 302.8-2(C)(12) paragraph a(6).

9 FAM 504.4-4(B) (U) Police Certificates

(CT:VISA-621; 07-09-2018)

a. (U) Police Certificate From Country of Current Residence or Country of Nationality: An applicant 16 or older must present a police certificate, if obtainable, from his or her country of current residence, if residence exceeds six months. Such an applicant must also present a police certificate, if obtainable, from his or her country of nationality, if different from the country of current residence and if residence in the country of nationality exceeds six months. (See Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder for availability of police certificates for individual countries.)

b. (U) Police Certificate From Country of Previous Residence: Police certificates are required from any countries of previous residence in which an applicant has lived for one year or more since attaining the age of 16. If an applicant has presented a comprehensive police certificate fully meeting the requirements of 22 CFR 42.65(c) from the applicants country of principal residence, you need not require a police certificate from other places of former residence, provided the applicant presents other satisfactory evidence of good conduct. For example, it has been held that proof of membership in or affiliation with a reputable religious organization in a religious capacity during periods of foreign residence may be accepted as such evidence. However, if you have reason to believe that a police or criminal record which would render the alien ineligible to receive a visa might exist in the foreign country you must require the alien to obtain the police certificate. If the police certificate is not obtainable from the local authorities, the alien must present other convincing evidence that he is not ineligible to receive a visa. (See Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder for availability of police certificates for individual countries.)

c. (U) Police Certificates From Countries Where the Applicant Has Been Arrested: If the applicant has ever been arrested, a police certificate from the country where the arrest took place should be provided, if obtainable.

d. Unavailable

e. (U) Reporting Availability of Police Certificates to the Department: Consular officers should periodically discuss with the host government the availability and quality of police clearance information, as well as the procedures to be followed for visa applicants to obtain clearances both within and outside the country. Posts should provide information concerning the degree of automation and centralization of records, as well as any purge procedures followed by the host country. Posts should also determine how criminal records are indexed in their nation. The use of a unique national identification number as opposed to nonstandard spellings of names is also significant. Posts should provide background to the Departments Immigration and Employment Division (CA/VO/F/IE), as well as draft language for inclusion in the Reciprocity Schedule. Posts should clear information among all Department of State consular operations within their country and with the regional security officers (RSOs) and coordinate with like-minded foreign embassies as appropriate.

9 FAM 504.4-4(C) (U) Military Record

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) Military records must contain a complete record of the applicant's service and conduct while in the service. The record must show any convictions of crime before military tribunals. (See Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder to determine availability of military records.)

(1) (U) Member of Armed Forces Applying Outside Own Country: In any case involving a member of the armed forces of a foreign country who applies for an immigrant visa (IV) outside his or her own country, consider the aliens military record unobtainable under 22 CFR 42.65(d) if the applicants government refuses to furnish certified copies.

(2) (U) Member of Armed Forces Applying in Own Country: When a member of the armed forces of a foreign country applies for an IV in his or her own country and the government refuses to furnish the applicant's military records, you will defer final action on the application in view of the possible foreign relations implications. Direct an informal inquiry to the local authorities to determine their position. Depending on the response of the local authorities and actions they may take, you will decide whether to proceed with the consideration of the visa application. If, within a reasonable time after notification, the local authorities do not take appropriate action to prevent the aliens departure, you will proceed with the consideration of the visa application. However, if political sensitivities become evident, you will consult with individuals at appropriate levels of the consular post or embassy concerning the matter. Consult the Department as necessary.

9 FAM 504.4-4(D) (U) Documents Required for Spouse or Children Not Accompanying Alien

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

(U) In addition to the personal documentation required of an applicant, a principal alien is also required to submit documentation establishing the relationship between such principal, the spouse, and all children, including those who will not accompany the principal applicant. If a male principal applicant has an illegitimate offspring who meets the definition of child in INA 101(b)(1)(D) (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)(D)), as amended, require documentation for that child.

9 FAM 504.4-4(E) (U) Affidavits of Support

(CT:VISA-504; 02-15-2018)

a. (U) For cases in which INA 213A applies, all applicants must submit a properly completed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, and supporting documents (see 9 FAM 302.8-2(B)(3)).

b. (U) For cases in which INA 213A does not apply (for example, nonimmigrant visas such as K-1 fianc(e) visas), applicants may submit Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, or may submit alternative forms of evidence to overcome the public charge provisions of the law.

9 FAM 504.4-4(F) (U) Unobtainable/Unreliable Documents

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) Unobtainable Documents:

(1) (U) If a required document cannot be procured without causing the applicant or a family member actual hardship, other than normal delay or inconvenience, you may consider it unobtainable, and permit the applicant to submit other satisfactory evidence in lieu of such document or record, per 22 CFR 42.65(d). Use this authority sparingly.

(2) (U) If you find that a required document is unobtainable, you must complete and sign Form FS-552, Certificate Regarding Documents Required by 22 CFR 42.65(b) Which Are Unobtainable, and attach to the Form FS-552 secondary evidence and/or a certificate from the appropriate authority, if obtainable, showing that in this particular case the missing document was never properly recorded.

b. (U) Unreliable Documents: We recognize that some documents may be obtainable, but may also be unreliable either because of local corruption, or the ease with which such documents can be altered or counterfeited.  It is, nevertheless, a legal requirement that the applicant present supporting civil and other documents specified in the application procedures if such documents are available.  In some instances, you might detect an altered document that might trigger a revealing line of inquiry on the applicant's criminal record.  For example, if you find the presentation of a fraudulent document was an effort to conceal a line of inquiry, which might have resulted in a proper denial of the visa, submit an advisory opinion (AO). On the other hand, if you can establish that presentation of the document clearly involved misrepresentation of an independent ground of ineligibility, the application should be immediately refused under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)). In this latter case do not submit an AO.

c. (U) Secondary Evidence in Lieu of Supporting Document: INA 222(b) (8 U.S.C. 1202(b)) prescribes the documentation required of applicants.  It will be rare that a document listed as available in Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder is unobtainable. If, however, you are satisfied that a document is unobtainable, you must require substitute documentation or secondary evidence. 22 CFR 42.65(d)(2) requires the consular officer to affix a signed statement describing in detail the reasons for considering the record or document unobtainable and for accepting the particular secondary evidence attached to the visa. (See 22 CFR 42.65(d).) In these cases, the applicant must submit proof of the unavailability of the missing document; for example, a statement from the local authorities that records for the year in question were destroyed by fire, or proof of the attempts made to obtain the document. When accepting substitute documentation or secondary evidence, complete Form FS-552, Certificate Regarding Documents Required by 22 CFR 42.65(b) Which Are Unobtainable, upon which the officer will make the statement required by 22 CFR 42.65(d)(2) and attach the Form FS-552 to the visa.

9 FAM 504.4-5 (U) Documentarily Qualified

9 FAM 504.4-5(A) (U) Determining Alien Documentarily Qualified

9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(1) (U) Definition of Documentarily Qualified

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) For petitions filed at post, an applicant is considered to be documentarily qualified after completing the two following steps:

(1) (U) The alien has returned Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, and declared that he or she has obtained all of the required documents, or has otherwise notified post that he or she is prepared for interview; and

(2) (U) Post has completed all required clearance procedures, or has reason to believe that they will be completed before a visa number will be available for the applicant. (See 9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(3) below regarding the reporting of documentarily-qualified applicants.)

(3) (U) When you are notified during the reporting period that an applicant is documentarily qualified, update IVO as soon as possible. (See 9 FAM 503.4-3(A).)

b. (U) For petitions processed through NVC, the requirements for an applicant to be considered documentarily qualified differ between minimally and fully qualified posts. See 9 FAM 504.4-5(B)(2) for minimally and fully qualified post requirements.

9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(2) (U) Use of Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, Optional

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) The use of Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, by the applicant is optional:

(1) (U) This form is provided as a simple way for applicants to communicate with post by mail or fax;

(2) (U) Accept any reasonable notification from the applicant, signed or unsigned, in determining qualification for further processing;

(3) (U) Electronic means of notification are equally acceptable; and

(4) (U) Consider cases received from NVC that are not classified as expedited cases to have received notice of the applicants readiness.

b. (U) NVC does not collect or use Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, as part of the qualification process. Please refer to 9 FAM 504.4-5(B)(1) below for more information.

9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(3) (U) When an Alien Has Required Documents

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) When an applicant notifies you that he or she is prepared to present the required documents, enter the date into IVO to indicate that the applicant is documentarily qualified (see 9 FAM 504.4-5(A)(1) above for discussion of the concept of "documentarily qualified").

b. (U) Include the priority dates of all applicants who have become documentarily qualified since the previous report in the post's monthly report of documentarily qualified demand. (See 9 FAM 504.3-2(A).) This is automatically done when post generates Report 20, Monthly Report of Documentarily Qualified Immigrant Visa Demand, in IVO.

9 FAM 504.4-5(B) (U) National Visa Center (NVC) Document Review, Support and Scheduling

9 FAM 504.4-5(B)(1) (U) Pre-Appointment Processing

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) NVC collects and reviews required documents and schedules IV appointments, it will instruct the agent or applicant to submit completed forms after paying the processing fees for visa application.

(1) (U) This process is called "appointment post processing."

(2) (U) When the file is complete, NVC will schedule an appointment at an overseas consular post and send the IV appointment letter to every valid email address associated with the case record; (physical letters are only sent if a valid email address has not been provided). NVC will then forward the physical and/or electronic case file to the post. NVC will work directly with posts to ensure that posts scheduling preferences are implemented.

(3) (U) NVC performs the appointment post processing for all IV issuing posts.

b. (U) NVC Will Review the Following Forms (When Applicable) for Each Case File:

(1) (U) Form DS-261, Online Choice of Address and Agent;

(2) (U) Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration;

(3) (U) Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act; and

(4) (U) Civil documents, financial supporting documents, and police certificates.

c. (U) Depending on the Post, NVC Will Follow One of Two Possible Paths:

(1) (U) Collect photocopied versions of paper documents and forms by mail, including Affidavit of Support forms, which petitioners will still submit to NVC for initial evaluation; or

(2) (U) Collect Documents and Forms Electronically:

(a) (U) In electronic (paperless) processing, NVC will scan the original petition and documentation provided by USCIS;

(b) (U) The petitioner and agent upload scanned images of the forms and documents to CEAC;

(c) (U) NVC will ingest the images provided by the petitioner and agent to the PIVOT record and review the documentation for accuracy;

(d) (U) The appointment letter and CEAC upload function contains explicit instructions explaining that the applicant must bring original documents and forms to the visa interview; and

(e) (U) Post will be able to download the electronic record into IVO once the case is transferred and have access to the documents at least 30 days before the interview appointment is scheduled.

9 FAM 504.4-5(B)(2) (U) Incomplete Cases or Cases Lacking Documentation

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) If the case file is incomplete or lacks proper documentation, NVC will send a checklist to the applicant, petitioner, and/or agent indicating what changes are needed. They will be told to return the required information to NVC. If the petitioner or agent does not return the documents or maintain contact with NVC for a period of one year and a visa is available, NVC will initiate the administrative process to begin case termination.

b. (U) After two reviews by NVC, the file will be scheduled for an interview, even if it still contains errors or omissions, provided that at a minimum:

(1) (U) All required fees are paid;

(2) (U) The petitioner has submitted a signed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act;

(3) (U) All traveling applicants have completed Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration; and

(4) (U) All required police certificates have been provided.

c. (U) If Form I-864 is free of critical errors but the case lacks supporting financial documentation, NVC will send an Assessment Letter to the petitioner or agent with a list of missing items, instructing the visa applicant to present the required information to the Consular Officer during the visa interview. The Assessment Letter is included in the case file for the consular officers awareness for IVIS cases.

d. (U) Under specific circumstances approved by VO, NVC will not schedule a visa interview until all requested documentation has been provided.  NVC refers to this as the Fully Qualified process.

e. (U) A case that is required to be Fully Qualified will be reviewed for the following:

(1) (U) All required fees are paid;

(2) (U) All AOS forms are submitted and void of critical errors;

(3) (U) All Immigrant Visa Application forms are received and void of critical errors;

(4) (U) All civil documents are received and meet the guidelines in the Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder;

(5) (U) Any required supporting financial evidence from all sponsors is received (Note: NVC will send an assessment letter for these if all other requirements are met); and

(6) (U) The only exception to these rules is if an applicant informs NVC they are unable to obtain certain civil documents.

f. (U) For cases that are required to be Fully Qualified, there is no limit to the number of requests for information that are sent. NVC will continue to send requests for information until all necessary fees, forms, and documents are received and accurate. If the petitioner or agent does not return the documents within one year and a visa is available, NVC will initiate the administrative process to begin case termination.

9 FAM 504.4-5(C) (U) Post Document Review, Support, and Scheduling

9 FAM 504.4-5(C)(1) (U) Need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) Standard Procedures and Forms Have Been Developed and Installed at All Posts to:

(1) (U) Ensure uniformity in explaining the requirements of the law to visa applicants;

(2) (U) Reduce individual correspondence and possible misunderstandings arising there from; and

(3) (U) Eliminate needless files and record-keeping by requiring applicants to retain their personal documents until the final step in the processing of the case is reached.

b. (U) Document Review Systems Ask Applicants to Obtain Documents Required for Immigrant Visa (IV) Interview and Then Submit Them by Mail, Courier, or Drop Box to Post for Review:

(1) (U) If at all possible, applicants should not appear in person with these documents until actually scheduled for interview; and

(2) (U) Under such a procedure, applicants are considered "documentarily qualified" only when they have demonstrated that they have in their possession all of the documents required.

c. (U) It is important in such a prescreening procedure that detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide guidance to Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) screeners to limit misunderstandings and accusations of impropriety. Specifically, the SOP must provide:

(1) (U) Written standards for documents submitted;

(2) (U) Escalation procedures in cases when, despite repeated appearances at the consular section, the applicant remains unprepared;

(3) (U) Procedures for handling multiple secondary documents submitted in lieu of requested primary documents;

(4) (U) Procedures for documenting contacts with applicants or their agents as the documents are submitted and reviewed. These logging procedures should be as terse as meaningfully possible and should utilize the comments feature in the IVO system; and

(5) (U) Provisions for regular officer oversight of the process, including regular detailed audits of individual cases and questions to applicants at time of interview concerning their experience with the prescreening process.

9 FAM 504.4-5(C)(2) (U) Flexibility in Determining Whether Applicant Is Documentarily Qualified

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) Means of Establishing Whether Applicant Is "Documentarily Qualified" for Cases Where Petitions Were Filed at Post: The concept of documentarily qualified is important in IV processing, particularly in numerically controlled visa categories. Documentarily qualified means that the alien has returned Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, or has otherwise informed post or NVC that all required documents have been obtained, and that all clearance procedures have been completed.  Different operating environments may call for flexibility in processes used to determine whether an applicant meets this standard, but any process used to determine that an applicant is documentarily qualified must:

(1) (U) Be used consistently throughout the IV processing district;

(2) (U) Have the prior approval of the Visa Office (VO) if prescreening procedures will be used; and

(3) (U) Be rigorously monitored for compliance with the goals of fairness, efficiency and adequate internal controls.

b. (U) Individual Declaration Versus Prescreening for Cases Where Petitions Were Filed at Post:

(1) (U) In many countries, you may determine that self-attestation by visa applicants is adequate evidence of being documentarily qualified for cases where the petitions were filed at post. In other words, by returning Form DS-2001, Notification of Applicant Readiness, its electronic equivalent, or other communication with post, the applicant may declare that he or she is documentarily qualified and prepared for interview. When you are notified during the reporting period that an applicant is documentarily qualified, update IVO as soon as possible.  

(2) (U) In other countries, you may determine that a prescreening mechanism of some sort is appropriate to verify that an applicant is documentarily qualified. In considering the implementation of a prescreening mechanism, consular managers should address the following questions:

(a) (U) How high is the overall INA 221(g) refusal rate in immigrant visa (IV) processing? To what extent could this rate be reduced by more rigorous prior review of the documents submitted in connection with the application to ensure that the applicant really is "documentarily qualified"?

(b) (U) Will implementation of a prescreening mechanism reduce the number of times the applicants enter the consular section, thus improving both customer service and security?

(c) (U) Prescreening will add time at the beginning of the immigrant visa (IV) process prior to formal application and interview. How does the length of this additional prescreening time compare to the average amount of time and effort expended to resolve INA 221(g) and other refusals? (Note that the fact that prescreening takes more time than resolving a refusal is not necessarily an argument against implementing this type of strategy. Added time taken up with mailing documents back and forth is arguably less burdensome on both post and the applicant than time spent waiting in line and in waiting rooms, often in a city other than the place of normal residence.)

(d) (U) If you have processing backlogs, does time spent processing unqualified applicants delay processing for qualified cases?

(e) (U) At lower-volume posts, does the small number of cases makes it difficult to realize economies of scale? Would pre-screening streamline the process?

(f) (U) In the immigrant visa process, the burden of preparing for interview rests primarily upon the applicant. Would a prescreening process ensure that post does not do work on behalf of the applicant?

(g) (U) What is the real cost to the U.S. Government of any additional screening process?

c. (U) Prescreening Strategies:

(1) (U) When IV prescreening appears justified, you should employ one of three mechanisms:

(a) (U) Document review and interview scheduling by NVC;

(b) (U) Document review by post prior to interview for cases in which petitions were filed at post; or

(c) (U) Document review/case preparation through a travel agency or voluntary agency program for cases in which petitions were filed at post.

(2) (U) Regardless of how you choose to prescreen IV cases, you must coordinate prescreening programs with the Visa Office (CA/VO) and should not begin without prior authorization:

(a) (U) Among other things, CA/VO will require a written Standard Operating Procedure with details on internal controls and exceptions handling and the opportunity to review any new forms or information sheets that you plan to utilize; and

(b) (U) Bear in mind regulations concerning use and approval of nonstandard forms as described in 9 FAM 504.4-3(A)(2).

9 FAM 504.4-5(C)(3) (U) Travel or Voluntary Agency Programs

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) NVC handles scheduling, preprocessing, and document review for almost all IV-issuing posts. Some posts, however, may still receive IV case preparation assistance through formal programs with voluntary agencies or travel agents. Voluntary agencies with experience working in the area of refugee resettlement have particular expertise in this area; and

b. (U) Because of the great importance of the IV process, and the involvement in most cases of U.S. citizen family members or employers, oversight and control is extremely important. In overseeing such a program, you must keep several points in mind:

(1) (U) Make it very clear to applicants and their agents that we do not endorse or require participation in any private-screening program;

(2) (U) Ensure that applications received through travel or voluntary agencies do not receive preferential treatment, either in terms of expedited processing or degree of scrutiny exercised;

(3) (U) You may provide an information sheet describing the availability of such services:

(a) (U) This information sheet must include a statement stressing that seeking such services is entirely voluntary and reiterating the fact that the Department of State does not endorse a particular program; and

(b) (U) This information sheet must be submitted to CA/VO for approval prior to initiating such a program.

(4) (U) Do not provide a particular service provider with preferential treatment:

(a) (U) Give any service provider, whether non- or for-profit, which requests to participate in such a program, identical access to the potential customer pool, subject to review by posts fraud prevention manager; and

(b) (U) Offer any training, monitoring, or feedback provided to all service providers equally.

9 FAM 504.4-6 (U) Scheduling Appointments

(CT:VISA-575; 04-24-2018)

a. (U) NVC schedules the non-DV IV appointments for all posts worldwide. Upon visa availability, NVC generally schedules appointments in the chronological order of the documentarily qualified applicants. Posts provide NVC with their appointment capacity and the percentage of applicants post desires for Immediate Relative and Preference categories. Post and NVC may take other considerations, such as possible mailing delays or travel time by applicants to post, into consideration in scheduling appointments. Once NVC completes the scheduling, post will receive visa numbers for the numerically controlled immigrant visa applicants from CA/VO/DO/I. NVC will send the case files and/or electronic records to post. Posts should ensure that these items are properly recorded in IVO.

b. (U) Appointment for Alien Not Subject to Numerical Limitations: When NVC or post schedules an appointment date for an alien not subject to numerical limitations, the post should enter the appointment date into IVO. NVC will send case files and/or electronic records for appointments scheduled through NVC.

c. (U) Appointment Letters: NVC will send all Appointment Letters for cases scheduled through NVC. Post will use IVO to send any appointment letters scheduled at post.

9 FAM 504.4-7 (U) Medical Examinations

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) INA 221(d) (8 U.S.C.1201(d)) requires all applicants applying for immigrant visas (IV) to undergo a physical and mental examination.  The results of this statutorily required medical examination are used to determine the aliens eligibility for such a visa. The medical finding by the panel physician or the Department of Health and Human Services/ Public Health Service/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/PHS/CDC), if referred to that agency, is binding on you. (See 9 FAM 302.2.)

b. (U) Visa medical examinations may not be conducted in the United States. Inform an alien pursuing a visa application abroad, while physically present in the United States, that the medical examination must be conducted by a panel physician who has been designated by the visa-issuing post to conduct medical examination of aliens in the country in which the alien applies for a visa.

9 FAM 504.4-8 (U) Place of Application

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) You may accept jurisdiction for processing an immigrant visa petition if the petitioner meets the residency requirements (or emergent, humanitarian, or national interest requirements discussed in 9 FAM 504.2-4(B)(1) and both the petitioner and the visa applicant are physically present in your district and the beneficiary is likely to be able to remain in the country for the time it normally takes to process a visa. The beneficiary need not be a resident of the consular district.

9 FAM 504.4-8(A) (U) Determining Place of Application by Residence, Not Country of Nationality

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) Background: Department regulations designate the aliens residence as the determining factor for the place of application under normal circumstances. This is based on the view that a consular officer assigned to the country of the aliens residence is in the best position to resolve questions relating to visa eligibility. It is easier for an officer familiar with the culture, language, and legal and political framework of the country in which the alien lives to interpret local documents and evaluate claims made by the alien. A fraudulent claim or document that might quickly be spotted in the country of the aliens residence could go undetected at a post in another part of the world. An alien fearing visa refusal may wish to apply away from home in order to keep possible grounds of ineligibility from being discovered. Accordingly, officers should refer to the guidelines in the following notes when dealing with the case of any immigrant wishing to pursue an application outside the aliens place of residence.

b. (U) Defining Residence: INA 101(a)(33) states, in part: The term residence means the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person means his or her principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent. If an alien can show that his or her principal, actual dwelling place is or was in a specified country, the fact that the alien does/did not have, or intend to have, the status of a lawful permanent resident or any other legal status in that country is not relevant.

9 FAM 504.4-8(B) (U) Usual Place of Application

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) As a general rule, an applicant in the United States should apply for a visa at the post in the consular district of the applicants last foreign residence. That is the only post required to accept the case for processing, although some other post might do so as a matter of discretion.

b. (U) However, you must accept, when so directed by the Department, the immigrant visa (IV) case of any alien who is a citizen or a national of the consular district, regardless of the aliens last residence abroad.

c. (U) The assignment of an IV petition to a post by the IV processing center in the United States will constitute such a direction by the Department.

9 FAM 504.4-8(C) (U) Third Country Processing for Aliens Abroad

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) Application of Nonresident Alien Physically Present in District: Department regulations provide that a post must accept an application from an alien physically present in the consular district even though not a resident in that district, provided the alien expects to remain in the consular district throughout the several months that it normally takes to process an application and is legally able to do so.

b. (U) Application in Third Country by Aliens Abroad: Unless physically present in the consular district as described above (see paragraph a above) an alien in whose country of residence IVs are routinely processed should not normally be accepted for processing by a post in a third country. Should a post wish to accept such a case in exceptional circumstances, it must first obtain Department (CA/VO/F) approval by email, making sure to include the post of primary jurisdiction.

c. (U) Possible Delays in Processing Out-Of-District Applications: Processing posts must exercise particular care to ensure that documentation and other elements of an out-of-district application are in order. It may be necessary to consult with the post of primary jurisdiction for background information or document verification. This may cause delays, possibly after the formal visa interview has taken place. The applicant should be informed of this possibility at the time of acceptance of the case for processing.

d. (U) Residence of Alien With No Fixed Address: For the purpose of 22 CFR 42.61(see 9 FAM 504.4-1), the residence of an alien with no fixed address, such as a member of a crew, may be determined as follows:

(1) (U) The residence of the aliens spouse and/or children, if any, can be applied to the alien;

(2) (U) If paragraph (1) above does not apply, the home port of a vessel may be used, or the location of the company employing the alien; or

(3) (U) If neither of the above paragraphs applies, the country in which the alien has resided the longest as an adult or the country of the aliens nationality applies.

e. (U) Spouses With Different Residences: It would be unusual if one spouse resided in different consular districts than the other one, but they both applied for visas together. In such an event, it would be preferable for the couple to apply where the principal alien resides, although the residence of the other spouse may be used if more convenient.

f. (U) Petitions Received for Aliens Outside Consular District:

(1) (U) If you receive a petition for an alien not residing in its consular district and you choose not to process the application under your discretionary authority (see paragraph b above), you have two options:

(a) (U) Transfer the petition to the post having jurisdiction, usually the applicants last place of residence abroad (see 9 FAM 504.4-9, paragraph e above); or

(b) (U) Keep the petition, if the city or country having jurisdiction is not designated to handle immigrant visa applications. Post should not return immigrant visa petitions to Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

(2) (U) Notifying Beneficiary: Notify the beneficiary of the receipt and disposition of the petition. (See 9 FAM 504.4-2(B).) Should you retain the petition at post, he or she must make clear to the applicant that the petition will be kept on file until such time as another post accepts the transfer.

(3) (U) Locating Post to Accept Jurisdiction: Make it clear that it is the applicants responsibility to locate a post willing to accept the case and to ask the receiving post to request transfer of the petition on their behalf. (For further instructions regarding transferring files, see 9 FAM 504.4-9.)

9 FAM 504.4-8(D) (U) Discretionary Cases for Hardship Reasons

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) The Department Strongly Encourages Posts to Consider Discretionary Acceptance of the Case of an Alien Residing in the United States if:

(1) (U) The alien demonstrates that it would be a hardship if they were required to return to the country of last foreign residence; and

(2) (U) The additional workload is acceptable.

b. (U) Posts Encouraged to Accept Cases Clearly Involving Hardship: The Department urges posts to accept legitimate hardship cases (see paragraphs c and d below) when the workload permits. The Department also encourages posts to be flexible in accepting cases which guidance below indicates should ordinarily be processed at another post in the same country.

c. (U) Determining Hardship:

(1) (U) Hardship would not usually be considered to exist when an alien does not wish to return to the place of last foreign residence only because of inconvenience or expense.

(2) (U) A brief, temporary absence from work would not generally be considered a hardship.

(3) (U) Inability of an alien to travel long distances because of physical infirmity or advanced age would be considered to entail hardship.

(4) (U) The presence of war, widespread civil disturbance, revolution, or other similar phenomena in an aliens country of last foreign residence would be evidence that it would be a hardship if the alien were required to return to that country. If the post is inclined to accept a case but has doubts about the aliens claim regarding a disturbance of some kind in the aliens last country of residence, the Departments advice may be sought by contacting CA/VO/F.

(5) (U) Aliens from countries with no visa-issuing post could possibly entail hardship.

d. (U) Department and Post of Jurisdiction Informed When Discretionary Case Accepted: Posts accepting a discretionary case must inform both the Departments Office of Field Operations (CA/VO/F) and the post with jurisdiction over the aliens place of residence. Reports of acceptance must be made in each individual case, except when the alien is a member of a group or class of aliens routinely accepted by the post and the Department has already been informed of the policy, or when a group or class of aliens has been the subject of instructions from the Department.

9 FAM 504.4-8(E) (U) Homeless Cases

9 FAM 504.4-8(E)(1) (U) Definition of Homeless Cases

(CT:VISA-931; 08-27-2019)

a. (U) Generally, a homeless visa applicant is one who is a national of a country in which the United States has no consular representation or in which the political or security situation is tenuous or uncertain enough that the limited consular staff is not authorized to process IV applications. Countries whose nationals are considered homeless are listed in paragraph b below.

b. (U) List of Homeless Nationalities:

HOMELESS NATIONALITIES	SELECTED IV PROCESSING POSTS
Eritreans	Addis Ababa and Nairobi
Iranians	Abu Dhabi, Ankara, and Yerevan
Libyans	Casablanca, Amman
Somalis	Nairobi
South Sudanese	Nairobi
Syrians	Amman
Yemenis	Djibouti

9 FAM 504.4-8(E)(2) (U) Location of Homeless Applicant

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

a. (U) Homeless Physically Present in the United States: Applicants residing in the United States may elect to apply for adjustment of status with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the provisions of INA 245(i), and thus rarely require visa processing abroad.

b. (U) Homeless Physically Present in a Third Country: Homeless applicants residing in a third country are processed at the same IV processing post as are nationals of that country. Posts must accept for processing any IV applicant who is physically present in their consular district, provided the applicant has the permission of the host government to remain there legally for a period sufficient to complete processing of the application. This does not include persons who have been determined not to be refugees, and who are subject to return to their country of origin.

c. (U) Homeless Physically Present in Home Country: The Vvisa Office (VO) has designated specific posts to process IV applications from these homeless applicants. (See 9 FAM 504.4-8(E)(1) above for a list of nationalities considered homeless and the posts selected to process such cases.)

9 FAM 504.4-8(E)(3) (U) Processing Homeless Cases

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)

(U) The National Visa Center (NVC) will screen and assign all petitions for homeless beneficiaries to the appropriate post for processing.

9 FAM 504.4-9 (U) Transferring Files

(CT:VISA-359; 05-02-2017)

a. (U) Locating Post to Accept Jurisdiction: Make it clear that it is the applicants responsibility to locate a post willing to accept the case and to ask the receiving post to request transfer of the petition on their behalf.

b. (U) Request to Receiving Post: The IV applicant (beneficiary) must request in writing that the intended receiving post accept the case. There is no prescribed form or format for such a request, and the applicant may make the request by letter, fax or e-mail. The applicant must send the request, along with a justification for the request, to the intended receiving post.

c. (U) Role of the National Visa Center (NVC) in Post Assignment and Request to Change Post:

(1) (U) Upon receipt of petitions from USCIS, NVC will assign the post code based on the applicants current country of residence. If the applicant lives in the United States, the post assigned is based on the applicants place of last foreign residence. If there is insufficient information to determine a post, the applicant will be assigned based on their country of nationality.

(2) (U) NVC often receives requests from applicants to change their processing post while their petitions are already in process at NVC. In the event NVC receives a request to change an applicants processing post, NVC attempts to collect proof of residency as well as an address in the new country requested. If the current or prior residency of an applicant remains in question, NVC will request post concurrence before reassigning a case.

(3) (U) Some posts require specific eligibility documentation to allow applicants to process at their post. Post will send exemplars of acceptable documents to show proof of residency to NVC (scanned images (exemplars) that are used as reference tools at NVC). NVC will collect the appropriate documentation from applicants prior to scheduling interviews for post.

d. (U) Action by Receiving Post: Upon receiving the applicant's request for a transfer of the case, you must decide whether you will (or must) accept the case for processing. If you accept the case, request the transferring post to transfer the electronic record and paper case. (See 9 FAM 504.4-8 for information concerning place of application.)

e. (U) Record of Transfer by Transferring Post: Once the receiving post informs you that it will accept the transfer, you must prepare a record of the transfer of a pending or refused visa case by making the appropriate entry in IVO. All cases must be transferred using the procedures contained in IVO.  In no case should a paper file be transferred without following proper procedures in the automated system.

f. (U) When a case is transferred to another post, posts must follow procedures for case transfer provided in the automated immigrant visa processing system. In no case may an IV case be physically transferred without following proper electronic transfer procedures.

 

UNCLASSIFIED (U)