SB Visa: Returning Immigrant

What is an SB Visa?

A SB returning immigrant visa, also known as a Section 1325(b) Visa, is a type of visa that is available to certain individuals who have been previously deported from the United States and wish to return to the country. This visa is specifically for individuals who were previously deported under Section 1325(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

To be eligible for a SB returning immigrant visa, an individual must meet the following criteria:

  • The individual must have been previously deported from the United States under INA Section 1325(b)
  • The individual must have a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • The individual must not be inadmissible to the United States under any other grounds of inadmissibility, such as a criminal record or prior immigration violations.

Who Qualifies for SB Visa?

To qualify for a SB Returning Immigrant Visa, also known as a Section 1325(b) Visa, an individual must meet the following criteria:

  1. Deportation under INA Section 1325(b): The individual must have been previously deported from the United States under INA Section 1325(b)
  2. Qualifying Relative: The individual must have a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. A qualifying relative is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the individual who was previously deported.
  3. Admissibility: The individual must not be inadmissible to the United States under any other grounds of inadmissibility, such as a criminal record or prior immigration violations.

It’s important to note that the SB Returning Immigrant Visa is a discretionary type of visa, meaning that the U.S. government has the discretion to approve or deny the application based on the individual’s case and the U.S. immigration policies. The individual should also be prepared to provide additional documentation or information as requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate throughout the process.

How to Apply for SB Visa?

The process of applying for a SB Returning Immigrant Visa, also known as a Section 1325(b) Visa, involves the following steps:

  1. Check Eligibility: The first step is to check if the individual is eligible to apply for the visa. They must have been previously deported from the United States under INA Section 1325(b) and must have a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
  2. Gather Required Documents: The individual will need to gather all the required documents including proof of the previous deportation, proof of the relationship with the qualifying relative, and any other relevant documentation that demonstrate that they are not inadmissible to the United States.
  3. Submit the application: The completed application, along with the required documents and fees, should be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. embassy or consulate in the individual’s country of residence.
  4. Interview: If the application is accepted, the individual will be required to attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This will include security and background checks.
  5. Wait for a decision: The U.S. government will review the application and make a decision. The process can take several months, and the individual will be notified of the decision in writing.
  6. If approved, the individual will be issued a SB Returning Immigrant Visa and will be able to travel to the United States and apply for a Green Card.

What is the SB Visa Interview Process?

The SB Returning Immigrant Visa (SB visa) interview process is conducted by a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the individual’s country of residence. The following is a general overview of the interview process:

  1. Interview appointment: If the individual’s application is accepted, they will be notified of the date, time, and location of the interview, which is typically scheduled several weeks after the acceptance.
  2. Arrival at the Embassy: On the day of the interview, the individual should arrive at the Embassy or Consulate at the designated time, with all required documents and fees.
  3. Security check: The individual will go through a security check and have their fingerprints taken.
  4. Interview: The consular officer will conduct the interview, during which the individual will be asked questions about their background, their qualifications, and any other relevant information. The officer will also verify the documents and information provided in the application.
  5. Decision: The consular officer will make a decision on the application during or after the interview. If the application is approved, the individual will be issued a SB Returning Immigrant Visa and will be able to travel to the United States and apply for a Green Card. If the application is denied, the consular officer will provide the reason for the denial and the individual will have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

What are the Required Documents for SB Visa?

The required documents for a SB Returning Immigrant Visa (SB visa) will vary depending on the individual’s case, but generally, the following documents may be required:

  1. Proof of Deportation: The individual will need to provide proof of their previous deportation under INA Section 1325(b) such as a copy of the order of deportation.
  2. Proof of Relationship with Qualifying Relative: The individual will need to provide evidence of their relationship with the qualifying relative, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
  3. Proof of U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident status of Qualifying Relative: The individual will need to provide proof of the U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident status of the qualifying relative, such as a copy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or green card.
  4. Police Clearance Certificates: The individual will need to provide police clearance certificates from all the countries they have lived in for more than 6 months after reaching the age of 16.
  5. Educational and/or Work Experience Certificates: The individual will need to provide certificates of their educational and/or work experience
  6. Fees: The individual will need to pay the required fees for the application

What is the SB Visa Fee?

The fee for a SB Returning Immigrant Visa (SB visa) is currently $930. This fee is paid by the applicant and is used to cover the cost of processing the visa application. The fee is subject to change and should be confirmed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.

In addition to the SB visa application fee, the applicant will also be required to pay additional fees, such as the fee for the biometrics service (fingerprinting).

What is the SB Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for a SB Returning Immigrant Visa (SB visa) can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the completeness of the application, the workload of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the application is being processed, and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

In general, the processing time for a SB visa application can take several months. The applicant will be notified of their decision through the mail or email provided in their application. If the application is approved, the individual will be issued a SB Returning Immigrant Visa and will be able to travel to the United States and apply for a Green Card.

It’s important to note that the processing time can be longer if the applicant’s case is complex or if additional security or background checks are required. The applicant should also be prepared for unexpected delays, as the processing time can be affected by factors beyond the control of the U.S. government.

It’s important to plan accordingly and ensure that all the required documents are in order before applying, this will help expedite the process and avoid any delays. The applicant should also be prepared to provide additional documentation or information as requested by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate throughout the process.

SB Visa Frequently Asked Questions

There are several frequently asked questions about the SB Returning Immigrant Visa, also known as a Section 1325(b) Visa, some of which include:

  1. Who is eligible for an SB Returning Immigrant Visa?
    A: To be eligible for an SB Returning Immigrant Visa, an individual must have been previously deported from the United States under INA Section 1325(b) and must have a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
  2. What is a qualifying relative for an SB Returning Immigrant Visa?
    A: A qualifying relative for an SB Returning Immigrant Visa is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the individual who was previously deported.
  3. What happens after the SB Returning Immigrant Visa is approved?
    A: After the SB Returning Immigrant Visa is approved, the individual will be able to travel to the United States and apply for a Green Card.
  4. Can an SB Returning Immigrant Visa holder bring family members?
    A: An SB Returning Immigrant Visa holder may be able to bring certain family members with them, including a spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. They will need to apply for derivative visas for their family members, which will be processed at the same time as the SB Returning Immigrant Visa application.
  5. What happens if my application is denied?
    A: If the application is denied, the individual will be notified in writing.