Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua.

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online with DHL prior to your appointment. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to return your passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register. For assistance you can call 6779-5445  (Nicaragua) 703-988-3603  (USA)

If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you will be able to do so after you register your appointment.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Nicaragua

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Nicaragua. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Managua. 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 and copies of 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. If you have an electronic case, please make sure you upload a PDF copy of updated documents to CEAC https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

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. Embassy 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. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved Physicians:

CLINICA PLAZA ESPANA
Dr. Gilberto Martinez
Rotonda El Gueguense
1 ½ Cuadra al oeste
Managua
Phone:  (505) 22667284- 22667447
Cell:  8810-3188/ 8882-4371
Email: gilfrancm@gmail.com or
cirugiacuello@gmail.com
Hours:  Mon – Fri, 8 am – 5 pm
Previous appointment

CLINICA ESPARZA
Dr. Rolando Esparza
Altamira D’Este
De done fue La Vicky 2 cuadra al norte ½
Cuadra al este, Managua
Phone:  2252-5848, 2277-0209, or 2277-0180
Email:  esparza@cablenet.com.ni or rrjjesparza@yahoo.es
Hours:  Mon – Fri, 8 am – 6 pm and Sat, 8 am – 1 pm

HOSPITAL METROPOLITANO
Dr. Matilde Reyes
Vivian Pellas
Km 9 ¾ Carretera a Masaya,
250 metros al oeste
Managua
Phone:  2255-6900 ext. 4310/4300
Cell:  8883-0007
Email: dramreyes@gmail.com
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: 8 am – 1 pm

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Items to bring to your medical examination

Bring the following items to your medical exam:

• Your passport,
• Four (4) recently taken color photographs sized 2 in x 2 in,
• A copy of your immunization records, and
• DS-260 confirmation page.

You must pay all medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, directly to the examining physician. The medical exam fee ranges from USD 400.00 to USD 800.00.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray, gonorrhea test, and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. 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 at 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. Embassy U.S. Embassy if your case is electronic. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Insted, 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.

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Pre-Interview checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that every 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 (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs 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 original birth certificate and literal birth certificate (Certificado de Nacimiento “Literal”) which lists all the changes made to the registration of birth issued by Central Registry (Consejo Supremo Electoral CSE) and a photocopy.
  
  
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
  
  
• Original 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 should bring these additional documents:

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, relevant W-2s, and evidence of legal status in the U.S. If you have an electronic case, please make sure you upload a PDF copy of updated documents to CEAC: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx
  
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant. For example, photos of the petitioner and beneficiary taken over a period of time, letters/emails, remittances, school documents, etc.
  

If you are married: Your original marriage certificate issued by Central Registry (Consejo Supremo Electoral - CSE) and a photocopy.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, issued by Central Registry (Consejo Supremo Electoral - CSE) and a photocopy. 

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries where you have resided for more than one (1) year since age 16. NOTE: Nicaraguan police certificates are only valid for two (2) years.

• If you lived in another country besides Nicaragua and the United States for more than one year after turning 16, you must bring the police letter from that country. You can find information on how to request the police certificate from other countries in the following link.

Also, if you submitted police certificates from any other countries to NVC and they are more than two-year-old, if you still live in that country, you must obtain a new certificate before your visa interview.

For employment-based visa applications:  Copy of Labor Certification provided by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Bring to your visa interview all documentation (arrest and court records) concerning all arrests, even if the charges were dropped or you were acquitted, pardoned or given amnesty. In addition, you must provide a copy of the statute under which you were arrested and a translation of the statute into English.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy translated

If you are adopted:  Adoption papers or custody documents, and a photocopy.  Please email ManaguaIV@state.gov for additional instructions.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:  The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy. If the marriage or along with divorce took place in Nicaragua, you must bring the original certificates issued by Central Registry (Consejo Supremo Electoral - CSE).

If you have ever been deported: Bring to your visa interview all information that clearly shows the date on which you left the United States and the removal order.  If granted voluntary departure, bring the order from the Immigration Judge to your interview. If you lived in the United States and obtained a work permit, present all cards issued by a USCIS immigration office. If you have an approved waiver, you must bring form I-797 notice of action - approval notice.

NOTE: You must bring your civil documents translated into English if they are written in a language other than English or Spanish.

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Managua

If you need to send us any documents, please DO NOT mail them to us directly. Instead, email Nicaragua.Visas@gdit-gss.com and ask for information on courier services. Only send original documents to us if a consular official request you to do so. Otherwise, you may bring original documents (plus a photocopy for the embassy’s files) to your visa interview.
 

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please go to https://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. 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 request to reschedule your interview. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.

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

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Managua must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. 
 

Accompanying Persons

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. 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.
• Petitioner: The petitioner may accompany the beneficiary to the waiting room but will only be allowed to attend the interview at the Consular Officer’s request.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
   

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars its equivalent in local currency. We accept cash and credit cards only. 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 Nicaragua

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet (if applicable) and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you in the next 2 calendar weeks after interview via courier services only (see Step 1). If you have to travel within Nicaragua while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

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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. The administrative processing does not have a specific duration.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. If applicable 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 fiancé(e) (K) visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa. 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. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are following their rules. 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 because 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

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Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all 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 two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the five (5) years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online).
• Payment for the Diversity Visa Application Fee for each visa applicant. Please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or its equivalent in local currency. We accept cash and credit cards only.

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.

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