How are petitions filed for employment-based immigration?

All petitions for employment-based immigration must be filed in the U.S. with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more information about categories and requirements for filing petitions visit the following websites: http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/immstatemp.htm, http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types_employment2.html, and
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types_employment3.html.

What happens after an immigrant petition for Employment has been approved and sent to the U.S. Embassy in La Paz?
Upon receipt of the applicant’s file, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz will send the applicant an informational packet with instructions and requirements for the visa process (including information for the visa applicant to make an appointment for the medical exam) and schedule a final interview. Once all the documents, detailed in the informational packet, are gathered, the visa applicant will come to the U.S. Embassy in La Paz for the final interview at the designated interview time.

What documents are necessary for the visa interview?
The instructional packet will list specific documents you need to bring to the interview. The following are general requirements only to bring to the visa interview:

1. The Appointment Letter
2. Two FORWARD FACING color photographs 5cm. x 5cm. (2in.x 2in.) taken within the last six months. The photographs should be non-glossy, have a white background, and be of good quality. Only the face should be visible. Note: The Consular Section is no longer requiring 3/4 profile photographs. Photos should now be FORWARD FACING. For more detailed information visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html
3. Passport (valid for a minimum of six months).
4. Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230 (part I and II), original.
5. Medical forms (original).
6. Affidavit of Support Form I-864. Must be completed and notarized by each sponsor, and accompanied by each sponsor's tax returns from the IRS for the last 3 years.
7. US$335 per person, which is the cost of a resident or immigrant visa and can be paid in cash the day of the interview
8. Birth Certificate (original and photocopy).
9. Marriage Certificate (original and photocopy), if applicable.
10. Divorce or death certificates (original and photocopy), if applicable.
11. Police Certificate (police certificates are required from every visa applicant aged 16 years or older.
    
    TRANSLATIONS: All documents not in English or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

A consular officer will then conduct an interview with the visa applicant only, to determine whether he/she is eligible for the visa. If all documents are in order and the applicant is found eligible, an immigrant visa will be issued. The applicant’s passport will remain with the Consular Section in order to place the visa in his/her passport. The applicant will usually be able to pick up his/her passport with the visa at Window 5 at 4:30pm the same day of the interview. After receiving the immigrant visa, the alien will have 6 months to travel to the U.S., at which time he or she will present his/her passport with the visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry into the U.S. Once the alien is admitted, the immigration officer will place a stamp in the alien’s, which indicates that he/she is now a legal permanent resident of the United States. The Permanent Resident Card Form I-551 (formerly know as “Green Card”) will be mailed to the resident alien’s address in the U.S. (The resident alien’s Social Security card will also be mailed to his/her address in the U.S.). While the resident alien is waiting to receive by mail his/her Permanent Resident Card Form I-551 (“Green Card”), he/she may use the stamp in his/her passport as proof of legal permanent residency in the U.S.

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If you have a question that is not covered in the Information on our webpage, please contact us at consularlapaz@state.gov.