File form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. This form must be sent to the processing center for your home state. When the petition is received you will be mailed a Notice of Action receipt notice on Form I-797. This letter is proof your petition was received and gives you the receipt number for the case.
File form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This form shows the US citizen is capable of supporting the couple financially and is financially responsible for his/her spouse. The US citizen must be 18 years old and maintain a residence in the US to legally file this form.
Wait for approval of petition. Once you have submitted the appropriate forms they will be processed and then sent to the National Visa Center. When the National Visa Center approves your petition they will send it to your embassy or consulate. At this point you will be notified that it is time to have your medical examination.
Make an appointment for the visa interview. Some consulates or embassies may make the interview appointment for you. This depends on the country. Regardless of how the appointment is made, be sure to take copies of everything with you to the visa interview. This means copies of all the paperwork you sent to the USCIS, all of the letters with receipt numbers, and proof of everything. Carry your passport, personal photos, police certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce certificate(s), medical exam, proof of financial support, appropriate fees, and anything else that might possibly come in handy for the interview! This includes wedding photos, wedding rings, invitations, and even cards from well wishers.
Pick up your visa. At the interview you will be approved or denied for a visa. If you are denied you must start the process over again. If you are approved you will leave your passport and the visa will be applied to one of the blank pages. You will be able to pick your passport up later in the day or within a couple days depending on the embassy/consulate.
