Immigrant Visas

Filing the (I-130) Petition

U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who wish to petition for the immigration of eligible relatives must obtain a Form I-130 (Immigrant Petition for Relative) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  I-130 petitions must be filed at the USCIS office in the petitioner's state of residence.  (See exception below for some IR cases.)  For specific information please visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.

Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, it will send the petitioner a notice of approval (Form I-797) and forward the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).  NVC will contact the agent or relative petitioner refered in the "Agent of Choice"(DS-3032) of the petition with further information about the immigrant visa process.

U.S. Embassy Managua filing requirements

The only I-130 forms that may be filed at the U.S. Embassy in Managua are by U.S. Citizens who were residents of Nicaragua for at least six continous months prior to filing petitions on behalf of their foreign-born spouses and/or their unmarried children under 21 years of age.   Furthermore, the alien spouse and/or minor, unmarried child must also be a permanent resident of Nicaragua.  Both the U.S. Citizen and the beneficiary must be present to submit the I-130 petition at the U.S. Embassy. 

Originals of the following documents pertaining to the petitioner must be submitted at the time the I-130 is filed:

• valid U.S. passport.
• Naturalization Certificate (if applicable)
• proof of Nicaraguan legal residency (i.e., residency card or work visa in the petitioner's passport)
• divorce decree/death certificate (if applicable)
• One 2x2 inch photographs with white background of the petitioner
• Form I-130 petition completed and signed by the petitioner found at www.uscis.gov
• Form G-325A must be completed and signed by the petitioner and any beneficiary 14 year of age or older. Aviable at www.uscis.gov

Originals of the following documents pertaining to each beneficiary must be submitted at the time the I-130 is filed:

• One 2x2 inch photographs with white background of the beneficiary
• Valid passport
• Marriage certificate from the Managua Central Registry Office (regardless of where the marriage took place in Nicaragua)
• Birth certificate from the Managua Central Registry Office (regardless of where the birth took place in Nicaragua).  Important note:  If there is a reposition,  recognition or rectification in the birth certificate please present a “Literal” from the Central Registry of Managua
• Divorce decree/death certificate (if applicable) from the Managua Central Registry Office
• Evidence of the relationship (photos, letters, money transfer receipts, emails, etc.)
• Singleness Certificate for children between 18-20 years old
  

Fees

The cost for processing each I-130 petition is US$355.  Fees must be paid in U.S. dollars or credit cards and are not refundable.  Local currency equivalents are not acceptable.