While applying for an immigrant visa at an overseas U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate, applicants must make sure they have all the required documents. If they do not provide the required documents, there will be delays in their cases.
Applicants must not send the required documents to the embassy or the consulate but must carry it with them to the interview. Supporting documents are important as their applications may not be considered if they fail to bring the required documents.
Applicants may not be required to bring all the documents to the interview if the same papers have been submitted along with their Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. They must take the same documents to the interview only if corrections or changes have been made to the documents after they submitted them with the immigrant petition.
If the documents are not in English, the applicant must provide translated copies of the documents. Translations must be done by a certified translator. Applicants will need to bring photocopies of the documents so that the embassy can return the originals and retain copies after the interview. Applicants are also advised to retain copies of forms and applications that they submit to the embassy or the consulate.
Following are the documents applicants will need to present at the interview:
Passport: Generally, immigrant visas are valid for a six month period. The passports applicants present at the interview need to be valid for at least six months beyond the validity of the immigrant visas.
Birth Certificate: Visa applicants must provide their original or a certified copy of their birth certificates.
Marriage, Divorce, Death, or Adoption Certificates: Applicants will need to provide all applicable documents. If they are applying for a visa for an adopted child, they will need copies of adoption certificates.
Proof of Family Relationship: Those applying for immigrant visas, will need to include documents to establish qualifying family relationship with the sponsor.
Affidavit of Support: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support needs to be filed by most applicants filing for an immigrant visa based on family relationship. This form must be completed and signed by the sponsoring relative.
Photos: Immigrant visa applications must accompany front view color photos that meet the specifications. All applicants must submit photos, irrespective of their age.
Police Certificate: Visa applicants above age 16 will need to submit police certificates with information about them in the police files, if any. Prison or court records will need to submitted if the applicant had been to court or had been in prison.
Medical Examination: Medical examinations are a must for all immigrant visa applicants. They will need to undergo medical examinations at designated facilities. Embassies or consulates where interview have been scheduled, will give them appointment letters without which medical examinations will not be conducted. The cost for the tests will vary.
Application Fee: Before paying the immigrant visa application filing fee, applicants must check for current fees. They can check the U.S. Department of State’s website for the current immigrant visa application filing fees. They will need to check how they can pay the fees as some embassies accept payments made through credit cards or in U.S. dollars. Applicants cannot get a refund even if their applications are not accepted or if they are found ineligible for immigrant visas as this immigrant visa application filing fee is non-refundable.
U.S. Mailing Address and Phone Number: Applicants must provide the address where they will reside once they get to the U.S. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will mail the green card to the address they provide.
