Immigrant Visa Information

Overview

In general, a person who wishes to immigrate to the United States must have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. The petition is filed either by a qualified relative or a potential employer at a USCIS office in the United States. Specific information about filing immigrant petitions is available on the USCIS website.  An individual with an approved petition and a priority date that is current for processing (when applicable) is eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or K nonimmigrant visa.

New Filing Instructions for Petitioners in Singapore

Petitioners residing in Singapore must file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Dallas lockbox. U.S. Embassies and Consulates that do not have a USCIS presence will only be able to accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances, as outlined below.

USCIS Dallas Lockbox addresses for regular mail deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
P.O. Box 650264
Dallas, TX 75265

USCIS Dallas Lockbox address for express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-130
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox, visit the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov or contact USCIS by telephone in the U.S. at 1-800-375-5283.

USCIS Immigrant Fee

Effective December 23, 2016, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $220.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States. Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is(are) entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee. The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions: www.USCIS.gov/immigrantfee

Exceptional Filing

Effective immediately, the Immigrant Visa unit in Singapore will accept the filing of Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative filed on behalf of the spouse, unmarried child, or parent of a U.S. citizen on an exceptional basis from U.S. citizens who are resident in Singapore. 

Examples of situations that generally meet the exceptional basis for local filing include relocation of the petitioner’s employment at short notice, emergent U.S. military deployment of the petitioner, medical emergencies that requires the petitioner or the applicant to travel immediately, and threats to the personal safety of the petitioner or the applicant.

Petitioners who wish to file Form I-130 on an exceptional basis may contact the Immigrant Visa Unit via email at singaporecon@state.gov for an appointment.

Medical Requirements

All applicants must undergo a medical exam by an Embassy-approved Panel Physician. Information about the medical exam can be found here. You will receive instructions about how to schedule an appointment for your medical exam from NVC or the Embassy. Do not try to make an appointment before receiving these instructions.

Fee Payments

Any fee payments related to immigrant visas must be paid directly to the Embassy. Do not make any payments online or to any bank.

Embassy Appointment

If you have an interview date, you must appear at the Embassy on the date of your appointment. You should arrive at the Embassy fifteen minutes before your appointment. Please read about security restrictions at the Embassy that describe what you can and cannot bring with you to your interview. You should bring your appointment letter and the documents required for your visa class.

Visa Delivery

All immigrant visa applicants must arrange for Aramex to deliver their newly-issued visa. This courier service is provided for no additional fee. You must choose the location where you wish to have your visa delivered prior to scheduling your interview. You can choose your delivery location here. Either you or your representative must have your Immigrant Case Number (as shown in the Embassy notification letter) available if calling the call center to register your visa delivery preference.