Embassy of the United States Nassau, Bahamas

What is an Immigrant Visa?

A U.S.  Immigrant Visa is a visa that allows the holder to seek to immigrate to the United States.  To immigrate means to move to a new country (in this case, the United States) with the intent of residing there permanently. 

The act of immigration itself occurs when the immigrant arrives at the U.S. border (or airport) and presents the immigrant visa to the U.S. immigration official.  If everything is in order, the immigrant will enter the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident. In order to document his Permanent Residency status, the immigrant will receive a laminated identification card, called an I-551 Alien Registration Card, but more commonly known as a green card.

Immigrant and Fiancé(e) Visas

Persons seeking to live and work permanently in the United States should to apply for an Immigrant Visa.   In most cases, the applicant must first either have an approved "Immigrant Petition" or a selected entry in the Diversity Visa Program.  (See What is an Immigrant Visa and What is the Process?)  There are three common methods by which a person may seek to immigrate to the United States:

• Family-based Immigration -- including Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens
• Employment-based Immigration
• The Diversity Visa Program (the "Visa Lottery")

The Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau processes visas for persons who are residents of The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Visas interviews appointments are set by the National Visa Center once the petition has been approved and the case is ready for processing. 

The Immigrant Visa Unit provides several other related services to residents of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos:

• Filing Petitions (PDF 119 KB)
  

• Reports of Lost I-551s (“green cards”)

• Returning Residents

• Inquiries

Alert Alert Alert

Be aware that some unscrupulous people regularly attempt to scam innocent victims by promising quick "green cards" or U.S. visas.  Please note that it is not possible simply to "buy" a green card or U.S. visa.  All applicants must go through the application process.  The forms are free.   The filing and processing fees are posted on official U.S. websites (such as http://www.travel.state.gov or http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.)  Although you may hire an attorney or other person to assist you with the application process, it is not required that you do so.  If you suspect someone is trying to scam you by claiming that you must hire them in order to get a visa, or by alleging they can procure a U.S. visa or green card without the normal processing, please alert the consulate at VisaNassau@state.gov.

Related Links:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• A Guide for New Immigrants