Immigrant Visa

General Information

Most U.S. immigrant visas for residents of Kolkata's consular district are processed by the American Consulate General in Mumbai. The only immigrant visas processed in Kolkata are for adopted children (IR-3 and IR-4 cases) and returning residents (SB-1 cases). In the case of adoption visas, the process is begun by the adopting parent and agency in the U.S. through the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (USINS). After the petition has been approved and we have received the approval and all required documentation, an appointment is scheduled for the immigrant visa for the adopted child.

In the case of returning resident visas, the applicant must be in possession of an I-551 ("green card") or re-entry permit which has expired. In order to qualify for such status, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the interviewing consular officer that the circumstances which kept him out of the U.S. for longer than the period permitted were beyond his control and that he was abroad for a temporary, not a permanent, stay.