The chart above summarizes the basic flow of approvals needed for most U.S. visa applications. To view each application stage in more detail, see our step-by-step immigration maps for Permanent Visas ( Phase I-DOL, Phase II-USCIS, & Phase III-DOS) and Temporary Visa Maps (Phase I-DOL, Phase II-USCIS, & Phase III-DOS).

The USCIS has primary responsibility over U.S. immigration matters. Most employment and family related visa applications and petitions are filed and processed by mail at one of the four regional INS service centers. Meanwhile, local USCIS district offices process applications for adjustments of status to permanent residence, naturalization, employment authorization documents, advance parole, and other miscellaneous filings. Local USCIS offices are also responsible for immigration law enforcement activities and removal proceedings.

Two additional U.S. entities can play important roles in securing permanent and temporary U.S. visas - the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

The DOS, working through its Visa Office's Bureau of Consular Affairs, maintains consular posts (consulates) throughout the world for issuing temporary (non-immigrant) and permanent (immigrant) visa applications. However, most DOS visa issuances require prior USCIS approval of an employer or family sponsored petition before the visa application is ready for consular action.

The DOL's more limited role in the U.S. immigration process relates to generally testing the U.S. labor market for U.S. workers to fill positions offered to non-U.S. workers and to ensure that certain federally-mandated labor conditions are complied with. Many employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions may only be filed with the USCIS upon prior certification by the DOL. However, DOL approval is needed only for employment-based visa applications. Family-based visa applications are initiated with the USCIS (Phase II).

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