Immigrant Visas

General Information

Immigrant visas are issued to those who intend to reside permanently in the United States (Legal Permanent Residents, LPRs or "green card" holders). Under U.S. law, immigrant visas are generally reserved for persons who are close relatives either of U. S. citizens or LPRs, or for people hired to work in the U.S. at jobs that require skills determined to be in short supply in the United States.

The U.S. Consulate in Shanghai has no Immigrant Visa Unit and does not approve or issue Immigrant Visas.  All Immigrant Visas for China and Mongolia applications are processed by the the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou . 

All Immigrant Visas applications require a petition first approved by Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security.  As a courtesy, the American Citizen Services unit in Shanghai will accept Form I-130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE, from American citizens residing in our Consular district and forward this petition to the Department of Homeland Security office at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Please see "Immigrant Visa Information Sheet" for a list of documents that must be provided in order for our unit to accept an Immigrant Visa petition for forwarding to DHS. This section also provides additional information on applying for immigrant visas.

Inquiries

For frequently asked immigrant visa questions click here.

IMMIGRANT OR FIANCÉ(E) VISAS CONTACTS

The U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai has no Immigrant Visa Unit and does not approve or issue Immigrant Visas.  Detailed questions on Immigrant Visa policies and regulations, or inquiries regarding the status of Immigrant Visa petitions already filed should be directed to the National Visa Center or the following DHS (Department of Homeland Security, former Immigration) sub offices in China.  More information on U.S. immigrant visas may be found on:  http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/immigrants_1340.html http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/overseasoffices/seaalpha.htm

DHS Sub Office in Beijing (for petitions filed in China)

Street Address & Mailing Address within China and Express Mail:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Beijing Kerry Centre, South Tower Office
Guang Hua Road No. 1, Suite 2320, Beijing, 100020, China
Mailing Address From U.S.:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
c/o American Embassy Beijing
PSC 461 Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002
Phone: (010) 8529-6740 (from within China) or 011 (8610) 8529-6740 (from the United States)
Fax: (010) 8529-6779 (from within China) or 011 (8610) 8529-6779 (from the United States)
Email: dhsbeijing-cis@dhs.gov

DHS Sub Office in Guangzhou (for petitions already approved and forwarded)

Street Address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
c/o U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou
Tian Yu Garden (II phase) 2nd Floor
136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tian He District, Guangzhou, China
Mailing Address From U.S.:
Officer-in-Charge
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
c/o U.S Consulate General Guangzhou
PSC 461 Box 100, FPO AP 96521-0002
Mailing Address within China and Express Mail:
Officer-in-Charge
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
c/o U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou
1 Shamian South Street, Guangzhou, 510133, China
Phone: (020) 8518-7651 (from within China) or 011 (8620) 8518-7651 (from the United States)
Fax: (020) 3884-4416 (from within China) or 011 (8620) 3884-4416 (from the United States)
Email: DHSguangzhougeneral@dhs.gov

Categories of Immigrant Visas

In general, there are three avenues for immigrating to the United States: Family-Sponsored, Employment-Based, and the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the "green card" lottery). For detailed information regarding all categories of Immigrant Visas, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services websites.