Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online before attending your interview. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to return your passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. You must complete this requirement for all applicants applying for a visa. Failure to comply with this instruction prior to attending your interview will result in not being allowed to enter the consulate and will delay your process. Click the “Register” button below to register.

Register >>

Step 2: Schedule a medical exam in Ecuador

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Ecuador. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Consulate can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

QUITO
Dr. RODRIGO SOSA
Edificio Citimed
Avenida Mariana de Jesus OE 7-02 y
Nuño de Valerrama
Piso 8, Oficina 803
Telephone:  02-3801601 02-3801602

GUAYAQUIL
Dr. JORGE CHEHAB
Vélez 503 y Boyacá
2do Piso
Oficina 202
Telephone: 04-2532092 / 04-2513663 / 098-4944753 / 099-9874455

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview appointment letter,
• Your valid passport,
• Six (6) recent color photographs, sized 3 by 4 centimeters,
• All available immunization records, and
• Complete questionnaire “Información del Solicitante,”  
• DS-260 confirmation page.
  

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician:

0-2 years old                      USD$ 80
2-14 years old                    USD$ 220
15-17 years old                  USD$ 420
18-24 years old                  USD$ 470
25-44 years old                  USD$ 435
45 years older and older:  USD$ 420 

During the medical exam

Applicants must have their medical exam performed at least seven (7) days prior to their immigrant visa appointment. The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray, and screening test for syphilis and gonorrhea (for applicants 18 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for applicants from two to fourteen years of age. If the test is positive, applicants will be required to have a chest X-ray and in some cases need to go through a complementary treatment. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov. You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements on Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will either provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to the U.S. Consulate. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Instead, bring it to your visa interview. Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

back to top

Pre-Interview Checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that the applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview. Any documents that are not in either English or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified English translation:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).

• Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page.

• One (1) color photograph of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch).  Please review our online photo requirements.

• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
  
  
• Your birth certificate. The acceptable documents are 1) “Inscripción de Nacimiento” issued by the National Civil Registry and 2) “Libro de Nacimientos” issued by the Corporación Registro Civil de Guayaquil. c  The “Inscripción de Nacimiento” shows “República del Ecuador” in the header and a barcode, electronic signature of Director of the Civil Registry and QR code in the footer. This document is not printed in security paper. The document must be legalized and stamped by the Civil Registry on the reverse side. The “Libro de Nacimientos” is printed in security paper, with water seals on the background and has a dry seal over the Delegate’s signature. Certification stamp and signature are placed on the left side of the document. The document does not need to be apostilled or notarized. The following documents are not acceptable: “Partida de Nacimiento” and “Certificado de Nacimiento”.
  
  
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).
  
  
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
  
  
• If you are older than 16 years of age, you must submit a police certificate from the following locations:
  
  

  From your...	If you...	And resided there...
  Country of nationality  (if Ecuador)	Are at least 18 years of age	At least 6 months
  Country of nationality (if not Ecuador)	Are at least 16 years of age	At least 6 months
  Country of residency (if different from nationality)	Were 16 years of age or older at that tiime	At least 6 months
  Any previous country or countries of residence	Were 16 years of age or older at that time	At least 1 year
  Any country where arrested for any reason	Applicable to all ages	for any length of time

Instructions for getting an Ecuadorian police certificate are online at www.ministeriodegobierno.gob.ec. Although the validity of the Ecuadorian police certificate is for ninety days, for U.S. immigrant visa process it is accepted for two years. Police certificates from the United States are not required.

• If you have been issued any type of non-immigrant visa to the United States (for example, tourist, student or work visas) bring your passport containing the visa to your interview.
   

Applicants who fall into any category below should bring these additional documents

For family-based visa applicants:

• 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 any relevant W-2s. 

• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card) and domicile in the United States. 
  
  
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant. For marital relationship cases: photographs, letters, emails, birth certificates of children born of the marriage, etc. For child, parent, or sibling relationship cases: baptismal, hospital or birth records; childhood immunization or school records; and photographs, letters or emails.  

If you are married: Your marriage certificate. The acceptable documents are 1) “Inscripción de Matrimonio” issued by the National Civil Registry and 2) “Libro de Matrimonios” issued by the Corporación Registro Civil de Guayaquil. The “Inscripción de Matrimonio” shows “República del Ecuador” in the header and a barcode, electronic signature of Director of the Civil Registry and QR code in the footer. This document is not printed in security paper. The document must be legalized and stamped by the Civil Registry on the reverse side. The “Libro de Matrimonios” is printed in security paper, with water seals on the background and has a dry seal over the Delegate’s signature. Certification stamp and signature are placed on the left side of the document. The document does not need to be apostilled or notarized.   The following document is not acceptable: “Certificado de Matrimonio”.

If you were previously married: Your divorce certificate or spouse’s death certificate. If the marriage took place in Ecuador, the acceptable documents are 1) “Inscripción de Matrimonio” issued by the National Civil Registry, with the appropriate divorce amendment and 2) “Libro de Matrimonios” issued by the Corporación Registro Civil de Guayaquil, with the appropriate divorce amendment. The “Inscripción de Matrimonio” shows “República del Ecuador” in the header and a barcode, electronic signature of Director of the Civil Registry and QR code in the footer. This document is not printed in security paper. The divorce amendment is registered on the left side or reverse of the document. The document must be legalized and stamped by the Civil Registry on the reverse side. The “Libro de Matrimonios” is printed in security paper, with water seals on the background and has a dry seal over the Delegate’s signature. The divorce amendment is registered on the left side or reverse of the document. Certification stamp and signature are placed on the left side of the document. The document does not need to be apostilled or notarized.  The following document is not acceptable: “Acta de Divorcio”.

For employment-based visa applications: A letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Bring all documents related to previous encounters with law enforcement, regardless of the outcome of the case.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted:  Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:  The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent. Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and biological parent (such as birth certificates of any children born of the marriage, photographs, utility bills or rent receipts, lease/mortgage and bank/credit accounts held jointly).

back to top

Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please go to ais.usvisa-info.com to select a new appointment date. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it (see Step 1). Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil must follow certain security procedures. Applicants may not enter the building with anything other than the documents needed for their visa application. Purses, backpacks, cell phones, electronic devices, cigarettes, food and beverages are prohibited. There is no storage at the consulate. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Consulate General security personnel will be unable to enter the consulate.

Accompanying persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or Spanish well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Petitioners are not required to attend the visa interview and will only be allowed to attend in the case of a minor who is noth otherwise accompanied by an adult.

Visa applicants under 14 years of age, who are not the principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition but a are listed as derivative applicants in F visa category cases, do not need to attend the interview.

Children not applying for an immigrant visa will not be allowed to access the consulate.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here.

Do not make travel plans outside of Ecuador

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport in approximately 10 business days from your interview date at the courier location you previously selected at the time of appointment registration (see Step 1). 
 

back to top

After Your Visa Interview

A Consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a Consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the Consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of medical exam. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives: Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country.Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

back to top

Diversity Visa - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website.
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online).
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee.
   

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online.

back to top