Every fiscal year (October 1st – September 30th), approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are made available to qualified applicants under the provisions of U.S. immigration law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Employment based immigrant visas are divided into five preference categories. Certain spouses and children may accompany or follow-to-join employment-based immigrants. You can learn more about these five categories of employment-based immigrant visas on usvisas.state.gov.
To apply for an employment-based immigrant visa, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov. Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
The Interview
After you have completed the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov, including paying the necessary fees and submitting the required immigrant visa application form (DS-260), Affidavit of Support, and supporting documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), they will review your file for completeness. Once your case becomes qualified for an interview, NVC will work with us to schedule an interview appointment for you.
You can learn more about the interview process on usvisas.state.gov.
Arrive for your interview 10 minutes before your interview time on the day noted in your immigrant visa interview appointment letter in order to process through security. Applicants should use the Consular Entrance located at the North Gates on 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Please show your appointment letter and submit your passport to a security guard.
Visa fee: You must pay the required visa fee (if applicable) on the day of the appointment. You cannot proceed to the visa interview unless that fee is paid.
Documents: When your name is called, present your appointment letter and passports to the Consular Representative. Give your documents when requested IN THE ORDER called for on the checklist. Each applicant should have their own packet of documents. If documents are not properly prepared, you may be asked to sit down and reorganize your application or reschedule your appointment.
Interview: Once you complete inprocessing, the Consul will call you to the window for the interview.
Case Status
At the end of your immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.
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 when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.
If your visa has been denied, you may find useful information on Ineligibilities and Waivers on usvisas.state.gov.
After the Interview
If your visa has been approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. Carefully review After the Interview on usvisas.state.gov to learn what to do when you receive your visa, entering the United States, paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, and other important information.
Visa: If approved, the visa will be ready on the next Thursday at 14:00. You must pick up your passport and document envelope inside the Consular waiting room. Upon arrival, please take a number and have a seat.
Visa: If NOT approved: If you failed to provide all the required documents or the Consul asked you to bring additional documents, you may submit the documents in the box located at the Consular Entrance of U.S. Embassy Bishkek at any time during normal Embassy operating hours.