Immigrant Visas

Family-Based Visas

Foreign citizens may apply for immigrant visas based on a family relationship with an American citizen or legal permanent resident. For a complete list of family based visa categories and the requirements for each, visit the State Department’s Family-Based Immigrants page.

The first step in obtaining an immigrant visa is for the American citizen or legal permanent resident to file an I-130 petition on behalf of his relative. In most cases, the American citizen or resident must file the petition with USCIS in the United States. Petitions may be filed at the consular section at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest ONLY by American citizens or residents who have been living in Romania for at least 6 months, including U.S. service members stationed overseas.

Approved petitions are forwarded to the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which collects the fees and documents and schedules the visa interview. The applicant will receive instructions in the mail describing what documents to bring to the interview. For a detailed list of the process of applying for an immigrant visa, visit the State Department’s Family-Based Immigrants page.

Family-Based Visa Forms
• Form I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative
• Form I-130 Instructions
• Form I 864 Affidavit of Support

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