Immigrant Visa Interview - Appointment

How will I know when my interview is scheduled?

The National Visa Center, NVC, will send notifications of the date, time, and location of your interview to you, your petitioner, and your attorney/agent of record (if applicable) when the interview has been scheduled.

What if I need to change the interview date and time?

To determine the proper procedure for rescheduling your interview appointment, please click Embassy/Consulate General-Specific Interview Guidelines. If the Embassy/Consulate does not have any specific interview guidelines listed, you should contact the Embassy/Consulate directly to reschedule your interview.

Medical Examination

My interview hasn't been scheduled yet, but I want to get started on my medical exam. Where should I go to get an exam?

You will receive instructions concerning interview preparation in the appointment letter that you will receive from the NVC. You should not have your exam until your interview has been scheduled. For further information about how to arrange for your medical examination click Medical Examination. IMPORTANT NOTE: Medical examination results are valid for one year in normal circumstances. But if you have certain medical conditions your examination results could expire in as little as 3 months. In any case you should not have your medical examination until the NVC notifies you of your interview appointment date. You may be denied entry to the United States if your medical examination results expire before your arrival.

Who Must Participate in the Interview

Does the petitioner have to be present at the interview?

No, only applicants must appear to be interviewed.

If a derivative applicant is following to join the principal applicant, do they have to be present at the interview?

Only the applicants who are listed on the interview appointment letter issued by the NVC must appear to be interviewed at the scheduled time. Applicants who will follow to join the principal applicant later will be interviewed separately. You should contact the Embassy/Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Interview

Are there any additional fees to be paid at post?

The immigrant visa application processing fee for each applicant must be paid before his/her visa can be issued. Applicants whose fee has not been paid should be prepared to pay the fee at the interview or the visa cannot be issued even if the interview was otherwise successful. You should contact the Embassy/Consulate to understand what payment methods are acceptable.

What must I bring to interview?

Each applicant must bring the following items to their interview:

  • The interview appointment letter they received from the NVC
  • Original copies of all documents requested by the NVC which you have not already submitted in original form. Note: All documents not written in English or in the official language of the country in which the interview takes place MUST be accompanied by a translation in English. Translations must be certified by a competent translator and notarized. Translations submitted to the NVC will be included in the applicant’s case file.
  • Means for payment of any unpaid immigrant visa application processing fees for applicants who will be interviewed during the appointment.
  • Two identical color photographs which meet the general Photograph Requirements and any additional specific Embassy/Consulate requirements of the embassy/consulate where the interview will occur.
  • Updated original copies of civil documents and/or financial evidence such as tax returns which may have changed or been superseded since you originally submitted them to the NVC for review.
  • The applicant must bring his/her medical examination results to the visa interview in an envelope sealed by the medical office.
  • IF a sponsor filed an I-864 (Affidavit of Support) AND provided the NVC with proof of an IRS Federal Income Tax Extension in lieu of a Federal Income Tax Return, the applicant must bring the sponsor's most recent Federal Income Tax Return to the visa interview.

Do I need to bring copies of the originals submitted to the NVC?

If photocopies of original documents were not provided to the NVC with the original submission, they should be presented during the visa interview so that the original documents may be returned to you.

What happens to the documents submitted to the NVC?

Original documents submitted to the NVC with photocopies will be returned to the applicant(s) when the interview has been successfully completed.

Last Minute Changes

Does every applicant need to fill a out Form DS-260?

No, the Form DS-260 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration is only required for a limited range of applicants. To find out if the Form DS-260 requirement applies to you, click Online Forms and review the information displayed.

My children were going to follow to join me. Can they accompany me instead?

Yes, you may change your children's status from follow-to-join to accompanying by directly contacting the Embassy/Consulate where your interview is scheduled.

Can I include my children if they were not originally part of the case?

If the visa for which you are applying allows derivative children, your unmarried children under the age of 21 may be added as derivative applicants after your interview has been scheduled. You must directly contact the embassy/consulate to request specific instructions. At the interview the added applicant(s) will be required to pay the same fees, and submit the same forms and supporting documents as the original applicant(s).

My child will turn 21 years old soon. Will that affect their visa?

If you plan to immigrate to the United States with your children, or to have your children join you in the United States later, you must prove that your children are:

  • Unmarried
  • Eligible to be listed under your visa classification, and
  • Under the age of 21 at the time they enter the United States

If your child will soon turn 21, your child could become ineligible to immigrate with you. If your child cannot immigrate with you because of their age, then a separate petition must be filed for your child and there may be a significant delay before your child becomes eligible for a visa.

If visas are available in your visa category before your child's birthday, the NVC may be able to expedite your case so that you and your child can immigrate together. Unfortunately, if visas are not available before the child's birthday, the NVC cannot expedite the case.

There is also a law called the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which applies to a narrow range of cases and may allow the principal applicant's son or daughter to remain eligible under this petition. At the time of the parent's visa interview, the consular officer will determine whether or not CSPA is applicable in your particular situation.

When Your Visa Is Issued – What You Should Know

How much time do I have to immigrate after my visa is issued?

Review your visa when you receive it and also carefully note its expiration date. You must enter the United States before your visa expires, and before your medical examination results expire.

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