Pre-Interview checklist
Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant MUST bring to the immigrant visa interview.
- Even if you previously provided one or more of these documents to USCIS or to the National Visa Center, you MUST bring the documents listed below to your visa interview.
Any documents that are not in English MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation:
- A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé, adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
- Your valid passport: Your passport must be valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States. You must also bring a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
- Two (2), 2” x 2” (5cm x 5cm) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa.
- Confirmation page from your immigrant visa application (Form DS-260) you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
- Your original birth certificate and a photocopy.
- Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying)
Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below MUST bring these additional documents.
- Even if you previously provided these documents to USCIS or to the National Visa Center, you must bring the documents listed below to your visa interview. If you do not bring the documents listed below, your case will be delayed.
If you do not bring the documents listed below, your case will be delayed.
For family-based visa applications:
The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and all relevant W-2s.
There are four different types of affidavits of support: I-864, I-864EZ, I-864W, and I-864A.
Please fill out (and upload, when necessary) the correct form before your interview. Click on the link for each form for more information:
- Form I-864,
- Form I-864EZ,
- Form I-864W (Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support) (for biological children under 18 years old), and
- Form I-864A o (Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member).
Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status as a U.S. citizen or as a U.S. lawful permanent resident and proof of that they are living (domiciled) in the United States
- a photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card.
Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant
- such as photographs, letters, call and chat records, emails, receipts of money transfers, flight itineraries, etc.
If you are married: Your original marriage certificate and a photocopy.
If you were previously married: Your original divorce decree and a photocopy (or your former spouse’s original death certificate and a photocopy).
If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence, any countries where you lived for more than 12 months, and any country where you have been arrested.
If the following three things are all true, you must upload a copy to your case and bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:
- You are older than 16 years;
- You obtained a police certificate and submitted it to NVC more than one year ago; and
- You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.
For employment-based visa applications: A letter from your U.S. employer stating that you are currently employed or that you will be employed starting on a specific date. The letter must be dated less than one month before your visa interview.
If you have ever been convicted of a crime: The original court and criminal records (or certified copies) and a photocopy.
If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy.
If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, and a photocopy.
If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:
- You must also bring original divorce decrees for all previous marriages of both the petitioner and your biological parent and a photocopy of each divorce decree.
- If a previous marriage ended because of the death of one of the spouses, you must bring the original death certificate and a photocopy.
back to top