Once your application has been submitted, either by your sponsor or yourself, the application will be forwarded on to the appropriate U.S. Consulate, or to the overseas Embassy. Your application will be processed from there, and if the application is successful, an immigrant visa will be issued if the immigrant is eligible to receive one.

Submitting a Form I-130 for an immigrant visa is just the first step in this process. The next steps involve the processing of the application with a National Visa Center (NVC), successful payments of the associated fees, submission of any required supporting documentation, and preparation for an interview. 

In addition, if your application has been accepted and an immigrant visa is issued, you must then present your immigrant visa at a U.S. port-of-entry before the visa’s expiration date. As an intending immigrant, you will become a lawful permanent resident after the immigrant visa, and the necessary paperwork has been reviewed and endorsed by a Customs and Border Protection officer.