Immigrant visas (sometimes known as "green cards") are for persons who plan to live, work or study and remain permanently in the U.S. Immigrant visas (IV) are a responsibility of the U.S. Department of State, Consular Affairs Bureau (CONS/IV). Most IVs require an underlying petition approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security(DHS), Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) before any IV processing starts.

If you are seeking information instead on visas for a short-term stay in the U.S. to vacation, conduct business, study or the like, please follow this link for nonimmigrant visa information.