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Important Visa Interview Notices
The applicant should be aware of the following information prior to the interview:
- Failure to bring a copy of the appointment letter to the interview may delay the interview
- No assurance can be given in advance that a visa will be issued. A consular officer can make a decision only after the applicant’s formal application and documents are reviewed, and the applicant interviewed.
- The applicant is advised to NOT make any travel arrangements, dispose of any property, or give up employment until the visa has been issued.
- An immigrant visa is usually valid for a maximum of six months from the date of issuance. However, applicants should note that the validity of the visa is limited to the validity of the applicant’s medical examination. Therefore, some visas may be valid for less than six months. The applicant must travel and apply for admission to the United States within the validity period of the visa (meaning, before the visa expires as shown on the visa Expiration Date).
- The interviewing office will make every effort to expedite the applicant’s visa application on the day of the interview; however, it is a process that requires several hours. It is possible that the applicant will have to spend several hours in the office before final action can be taken on the application. Should complications arise, it is unlikely that the applicant will receive a visa on the day of the appointment; the applicant may have to return to the US Embassy/Consulate General another time.
- Applicants who were previously issued J1 visas and studied, worked, or lived in the United States as exchange visitors (and those who are currently in the U.S. as exchange visitors) should be aware that the two-year foreign residence requirement may apply to them. Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) provides that certain aliens admitted to the U.S. under INA 101(a)(15)(J) are subject to a two-year foreign residence and physical presence. The requirement also applies to spouses and children of the J1 visa holders if they entered the U.S. under the exchange visitor program.
- An immigrant visa may not be issued if there is a finding of ineligibility under section 212(e). The consular officer will provide those affected by this requirement with information about how this ineligibility may be overcome.
- If the applicant is 20 years old and the applicant's 21st birthday is prior to the appointment date, please immediately contact the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General where the applicant is scheduled for an interview so that they can advise you whether an earlier appointment is possible. Visa categories are based upon the age of the applicant at the time of visa issuance, rather than when the petition was filed, and failure to receive a visa prior to the applicant's 21st birthday may mean that the applicant is no longer eligible for an immigrant visa at this time.
Failure to appear
Section 203(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires that an intending immigrant pursue his/her visa application within one year from the date he/she is informed that it is possible to do so. Receiving notification from the NVC that a visa interview appointment has been set is notice to the applicant that it is possible to pursue an application for a visa. If the applicant fails to do so within one year from the date of the interview, the application and any visa petition approved for the applicant will be cancelled.
Immigrants Advised to Carry Immunization and Other Records to United States
Every state in the United States now requires that children have a record of complete immunization at the time of a child’s first enrollment into school. In most states, this applies to transfer students entering any grade. Therefore, the US Public Health Services (USPHS) strongly recommends that children entering the country should either have evidence of immunity consisting of physician documentation of prior disease, or a record of immunizations.
Panel physicians shall inform immigrant visa applicants at the time of examination that problems may be encountered should they enter the United States without proper health records and certifications of vaccinations, and they shall urge the applicants to obtain such documents from their private physicians, local health departments, or schools prior to departure.
