
What is the NVC and What Happens After USCIS Approval? (2026 Guide)
Having an immigrant petition approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is an important milestone, but for many applicants living outside the United States, it is not the end of the immigration process. Following USCIS approval, the case moves to the National Visa Center (“NVC”) which is under the Department of State (“DOS”). The NVC processing involves creating a case number, paying visa application fees, collecting and submitting documentation and waiting for the case to be transferred to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. At Enterline and Partners, our U.S. immigration attorneys represent clients in Asia through the different stages of the immigration process, including family-based immigration cases, K-1 fiancé(e) visa cases, and EB-5 immigrant investor cases. In this guide, we will walk you through what happens after USCIS approval, what to expect from NVC processing and how to prepare for the consular processing stage of your case.




