Immigrant Visas

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Current Priority Dates?

Current Priority Dates

How Do I Bring My Spouse to Live in the United States?

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/spouselive.htm

How Do I Bring My Child to Live in the United States?

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/child.htm

Where Can I Find Information about the Diversity Visa?

Diversity Visas

What are the photo requirements for an Immigrant Visa?

General

• The photograph for each visa applicant must be an unmounted, full face photo, as described below
• The photograph must have been taken within the last six months
• Two photographs must be provided

Photo Size

The photo for each visa applicant submitted must measure:

• 2 by 2 inches (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame.
• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo

Photo Appearance

• The photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly.
• The applicant should not look down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50 percent of the photo area.
• Side or angled views are NOT accepted.
• The photograph may be in color or black and white, but must have only a white or off-white background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.
• In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed.
• Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face.
• Sunglasses or other wear which detracts from the face are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).
• A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.
• Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable. Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume, or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable.

Digital Photos

Digitally reproduced photographs must be reproduced without discernible pixels or dot patterns. Photocopied photographs are NOT accepted.

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If You Have Been Refused an Immigrant or Diversity Visa

• If you are refused the issuance of a visa during your scheduled interview and you are required to submit additional information or documentation, you may come to the section on any Sunday or Monday between 9:00am and 9:30am.
• If your case is under administrative processing, the Embassy will contact you when the processing is complete. 
• If you are waiting for a DNA test result, please note that it takes approximately two months after your submit your sample to the MRO to get a result.  We will contact you when we receive the results.