Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the American Institute in Taiwan. A Chinese-language translation of these instructions is available in the PDF “Print” link to the right.

Step 1: Register a document delivery address online

Once you are notified of your appointment by the National Visa Center, you need to register a document delivery address online. Registering provides us the information we need to return your case documents and passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Taiwan

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Taiwan. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Taiwan. 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 American Institute in Taiwan 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 American Institute in Taiwan. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Schedule and attend a medical examination with one of the AIT-designated physicians about 3-4 weeks before your visa interview. Hospitals in Taiwan typically require 2-3 weeks after the appointment date to finalize the results. If your medical results will not be complete by the date of your interview, please come for your interview as scheduled with your medical exam receipt from the hospital.

Approved Physicians:

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE, EXECUTIVE YUAN
FENG YUAN HOSPITAL
Dr. Ching Jen Chang, and Dr. Yu Chieh Tsai
No.100, An-Kan Road, Feng Yuan District, Taichung City 420
Telephone: (04) 2527-1180 ext. 3232 - 3233

TAIWAN ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
Online registration only
Dr. Hsin Ying Lin, Dr. Pei-Hsuan Weng, and
Dr. Chih-Hsung Huang
#424, Pa Teh Rd., Sec.2, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2740-0729

Items to bring to your medical examination

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician. Bring the following items to your medical exam:

1. Your visa interview appointment letter,
2. Your passport,
3. Photos (please contact your selected hospital to inquire about the most up-to-date photo requirements),
4. Your DS-260 confirmation page, and
5. A copy of your immunization records.

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's website. You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements on Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your exam is complete, 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. 

Applicants using the e-Medical process are not required to bring any X-rays to the port-of-entry.  If you are NOT using the e-Medical process, you must hand carry your CD containing x-rays when you travel to the United States and present it to the U.S. immigration inspector at the port-of-entry, along with your immigrant visa packet.  DO NOT PLACE THE CD IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE

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Pre-Interview checklist

Uploading Documents: If your case is electronic/paperless (PIVOT), scans of all required documents listed below must also be uploaded to your file on the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Failure to upload these documents will cause processing delays.

Please use the list below to ensure you have all of the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview. Any documents that are not in either English or Chinese must be accompanied by a certified English translation:

Petitioner's Documents:

• If the applicant is applying for an IR5 or an F4 visa, you must obtain an original or certified copy of the petitioner’s birth certificate. (For births in Taiwan, you may submit the petitioner’s current Household Registration Transcript)
  
  
• If the applicant is applying for an IR1, CR1, or F2A visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and the petitioning spouse was previously married, you must provide evidence of the termination of every prior marriage of the petitioning spouse. The evidence must be an original or certified copy of a final legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers.
  
  
• If the applicant is a stepchild and is applying for an IR2, CR2, F2, or any other visa classification requiring that the applicant be a child, you must provide an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate of every marriage of the petitioner and the applicant’s natural parent. If the petitioner or applicant’s natural parent was previously married, the applicant must obtain evidence of the termination of every prior marriage. The evidence must be an original or certified copy of a final legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers.

• Passport: Valid passport. (If any prior passport(s) contain valid, unexpired U.S. nonimmigrant visas you must also bring the prior passports)
  
  
• Photographs: Two (2) color photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm).  Please review our online photo requirements.
  
  
• Birth Certificate: Your original birth certificate and a photocopy. NOTE: For births in Taiwan, you will submit the Individual Household Registration Transcript. You can find information on how to obtain this document here (see “Birth Certificates”).
  
  
• Household Registration Transcript (HRT) (For Taiwan citizens only): If the birth certificate (see above) was not issued in the six months prior to your appointment, also provide your current Household Registration Transcript, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Medical Examination Results: in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
  
  
• Marriage Certificate (if married): Your original marriage certificate, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Divorce and Death Certificates (if ever previously married): Your original marriage certificate for every prior marriage, and original certificates of marriage termination (death or divorce certificates for prior spouses) for every prior marriage, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Police Certificate: All applicants over 16 years of age must provide original police certificates issued within the last 24 months, and a photocopy (if you would like the original certificate returned to you).
  • Taiwan Police Certificate (for each beneficiary over age 16)  
  • Foreign Police Certificate (for each beneficiary who resided in a foreign country for 12 months or longer after the age of 16)
     
• Court and criminal records (If you have ever been convicted of a crime in any country): Provide court records showing the final disposition of all charges with English translation, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Military Records (If you have ever served in the military of any country): Provide military records, and a photocopy.  (Not required for service in the Taiwan military.)
  
  
• Adoption (If adopted): Provide court adoption order and a photocopy.
  
  
• Affidavits of Financial Support: By signing Form I-864, your petitioner (including co-sponsor(s) and joint sponsor(s)) is agreeing to use their resources to support you and any dependents, if it becomes necessary. If you or your dependents immigrating with you receive any designated federal, state, or local means-tested public benefits, you should expect the agency providing the benefit to request repayment from your sponsor(s). That agency can take legal action against any of your sponsors if the cost of the benefits provided is not repaid. Please see the travel.state.gov for more information on means-tested public benefits.
  
  • For Family-Based Visa categories: The petitioner must submit a signed: (1) Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ, if applicable; (2) Form I-864A signed by the relevant member of household (if the petitioner filed taxes jointly); and (3) a copy of his/her IRS-issued tax transcript for the most recent year (or recent U.S. federal income tax return and corresponding W-2s if transcript isn’t available) and all supporting financial documents needed to verify the income reported on tax returns -  i.e. W-2 form, 1099-MISC form, proof of rental income, proof of business income, proof of social security benefits, etc. for the latest year available OR a signed statement declaring why the petitioner did not file federal taxes.
    
    
  • For Applicants Submitting Any Form I-864: Proof of your U.S. petitioner and any joint sponsor's status and domicile in the United States is required. A photocopy of the U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card may be acceptable.
    
    
  • If your petitioner has no income or does not meet poverty income guidelines: The petitioner will still need to complete an affidavit of support Form I-864 or I-864EZ. However, you will also need to find a joint sponsor who meets the poverty income guidelines for the relevant family size. The joint sponsor must submit all documents listed above.
    
    
  • For biological children of U.S. citizens (IR-2) under age 18 OR widows of U.S. citizens (IW): Please complete Form I-864W instead of Form I-864 or I-864EZ.
    
    
  • For employment (E) visa categories: Provide an original job offer letter from the petitioning business signed within the past six months instead of a Form I-864. 
    
    
  • For returning residents (SB-1), diversity visa (DV), and fiancé (K1): A sponsor or petitioner who will financially support you may complete a Form I-134 and provide a copy of his/her IRS-issued tax transcript and all supporting financial documents needed to verify the income reported on his or her tax returns - i.e. W-2 form, 1099-MISC form, proof of rental income, proof of business income, proof of social security benefits, etc. for the latest year available. You may also submit other financial evidence to show that you will not become a public charge in the United States.  
    
    
  • Affidavit of Support Photocopies: The affidavit of support must account for all applicants on the petition. Each derivative family member needs to bring one (1) photocopy of the principal applicant’s affidavit(s) of support. If each applicant has their own individual petition, each affidavit of support must include that applicant’s own name.
    
    
  • You can find more information on affidavits of support and the supporting financial evidence required on the USCIS website and on the Department of State website.
    

Applicants who fall into any category below should bring these additional documents to their visa interviews:

If you are an E1, E2, or E3 employment applicant:: A detailed resume of your professional and educational history in Chinese and English language with the following: (1) list of all employers and job responsibilities; (2) publications you have written, with titles, descriptions and dates; (3) travel history covering all foreign countries visited, including dates and purpose; (4) work plan explaining where you will seek employment in the United States.

If you have traveled to the U.S. and applied to extend or change your nonimmigrant status: Copies of extension application(s) and approval notice(s).

If you have previously been ordered removed from the United States or if you have been the subject of any other immigration proceedings: Copies of all records, including waivers.

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Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

We recommend you make every effort to attend your scheduled immigrant visa appointment. You may not schedule a new appointment until your original appointment date has passed. If you are not able to attend on this date, you must book a new available appointment slot with AIT.  Please note that due to workload constraints appointment slots are limited; missing your original appointment may result in significant delays to your visa processing. If no appointment slots are available at the time you check, please monitor the website. We regularly make more appointment slots available. 

DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. For these applicants, 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.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to AIT must follow certain security procedures; see the list of prohibited items.  The American Institute in Taiwan cannot store prohibited items for you.  You will not be allowed to enter AIT with prohibited items.  All visitors must make other arrangements to store prohibited items before entering AIT.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in significant delays or cancellation of your appointment.

Please bring only what is required for your interview. Mobile phones are NOT allowed in the interviewing area, and will be stored at the security check. When you arrive at AIT, please enter at the Consular/Visa Entrance and proceed to the third floor. You may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before or after your listed appointment time.

Accompanying persons

Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the American Institute in Taiwan.

Access to the Consular Section waiting area is limited to the following:

• Applicants
• One parent or legal guardian (for applicants under 18 years old)
• One aide for a disabled or elderly applicant
• Approved interpreter
  • We can provide services in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Taiwanese. If you do not speak any of these languages, you need to bring an interpreter to your visa appointment. Please submit an email request to the Call Center at least two weeks before your interview date. Your interpreter must be able to speak English.  Interpreters without prior AIT approval will not be allowed into the Consular Section waiting area.

Visa appointment holders may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before or after their appointment.

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 cash in U.S. dollars, NT dollars, or by credit card.

Checks are not accepted. 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 Taiwan

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the American Institute while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you via courier services to the document delivery address you previously registered. Average processing time after your interview is one week. If you need travel within Taiwan while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

If you have urgent international travel within 10 days after your appointment date, please inform the officer at your interview. Your passport can be returned to you without a visa, and your application will be refused until you send your passport to AIT through our drop-off service after you return to Taiwan. 

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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 instructs you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to AIT. Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Please note, the duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.

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 typographical 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 and vaccination records during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities. 

If you have received an immigrant visa endorsed with a “IV Docs in CCD” annotation, which means your immigrant visa was issued under the Modernized Immigrant Visa (MIV) program, you will not receive a sealed package of documents. All required documents have been electronically transmitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a part of the Electronic Visa Information Packet (EVIP).

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 adopted children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents (SB-1s), 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 based on the expiration date of your medical report. 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 21^st 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 DS-260 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 in compliance with 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 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.

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Diversity Visa Applicants - 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 (2) years of qualifying work experience in the last five (5) 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 for each visa applicant.
   

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 may 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. You can review the eligibility requirements online.

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