Pre-Interview checklist
Use the list below to determine the items that EACH applicant no matter their age, must submit to the embassy two (2) weeks prior to the visa interview unless otherwise noted. Send your documents via mail (NOT DHL) to the Consular Section, U.S. Embassy in Tirana. If your interview is in less than 10 days, bring all documents to your interview. Any documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation:
- A photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located) of your unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States. Do not mail your passport, as you are required to show it on your medical appointment. You must bring your passport on your visa interview date.
- Two (2) color photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Eyeglasses are not allowed on the photo. 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.
- DHL registration page: REGISTER YOUR INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT DATE AND SELECT THE DHL BRANCH.
Each visa applicant, regardless of age, must create an account at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-al/iv.
- Your original birth certificate (for each visa applicant, the six-language format). It should read Certificate of Birth, not Personal Certificate issued by the Albanian authorities or from the e-Albania Portal. Applicants not born in Albania must obtain a translated and notarized birth certificate from the country where they were born and an Albanian birth certificate.
- APPLICANT'S NAME CHANGE:
If you have changed your name/surname, bring evidence of name change issued by the appropriate authorities.
- Medical examination: https://tiranapanelclinic.com/apply-for-the-medical-examination-for-u-s-immigration
- 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 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, and any relevant W-2s.
- Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails)
- A birth certificate of petitioner and marriage certificate (if applicable) in the six language format. Birth and marriage certificates issued by the Albanian authorities or from e-Albania Portal, must have been issued within one year from the interview date.
- 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).
- I864A - Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member:
If the petitioner is married, his or her spouse must also complete and submit a Form I-864A, (note: this form is different from Form I-864), accompanied by a photocopy of either his or her U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or legal permanent resident card. You can find this form online at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/tips-for-filing-form-i-864a-contract-between-sponsor-and-household-member.
- Joint Sponsor: If your petitioner's income does not meet the required 125 percent of the federal U.S. Poverty Guidelines, your petitioner must find a joint sponsor or use the income of a Household Member to meet the income requirement. Each Joint Sponsor and/or Household Member must submit the appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s. Your petitioner must still submit a Form I-864 even if there is a Joint Sponsor on your case.
If you are married: Your original marriage certificate (the six language format) issued by the Albanian authorities or from the e-Albania Portal.
If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate.
If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, and a photocopy.
If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.
For employment-based visa applications: A letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.
If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and any countries of previous residence. The Albanian criminal court certificate (Dёshmi Penaliteti) is sent directly from the Ministry of Justice to the U.S. Embassy Tirana. We will not accept this certificate directly from the visa applicant. You must apply for this certificate at an Albanian Post Office. Follow the instructions on travel.state.gov, and make sure that you write “U.S. Embassy” on the application form when asked to name the “Institution requesting the certificate.” You must apply for a certificate in your current and any former names, including maiden names. Applicants are often refused for not requesting a certificate in all names/surnames they have used.
When you send your documents to the embassy before your visa interview, you must include a copy of the payment receipt that you received from the Albanian Post Office when applying for the certificate. We cannot accept certificates that are more than two (2) years old.
If you previously submitted a police certificate to NVC from another country, it is more than two (2) years old, and you still live in that country, you must obtain and bring a more recent police certificate to the interview as the one you previously submitted will have expired. You may find information on travel.state.gov on how to obtain police certificates for other countries.
When you send your documents to the embassy before your visa interview, you must include a copy of the payment receipt that you received from the Albanian Post Office when applying for the certificate. We cannot accept certificates that are more than two (2) years old.
If you previously submitted a police certificate to NVC from another country, it is more than two (2) years old, and you still live in that country, you must obtain and bring a more recent police certificate to the interview as the one you previously submitted will have expired. You may find information on travel.state.gov on how to obtain police certificates for other countries.
If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Full court decisions from district courts, even if you were pardoned or granted amnesty, or the criminal conviction has been expunged. These documents must be translated into English and notarized.
If you have served in any country’s military: Military records. All male applicants aged 18 and over (except born after September 1990), regardless of whether they have served or not in the military service, including all female applicants with prior military service must apply at the Albanian Post office for the military record.
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Requirements for Documents Issued by Greek Authorities:
Greek birth certificates and court records: You must obtain an apostille stamp and have it translated into English by the Translation Services of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please visit the Ministry’s website for more information.
Greek Police certificates - applicants aged 16 or older: If the applicant is currently residing in Greece for more than six months, or if the applicant has previously lived in Greece for more than one year, then he or she is are required to apply for a Penal record of Judicial use (“Antigrafo Pinikou Mitroou Dikastikis Hrisis”) from the Hellenic Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Penal Records for Foreigners (Ipiresia Pinikou Mitroou Allodapon), Mesogion 96, 101 79 Athens, Greece, tel. 210776-7300, 210776-7185, 210776-7186, & 210776-7043. ] You may apply in person, or through an authorized representative by completing an Authorization form (“Exousiodotisi”) notarized by the Greek Embassy in Tirana.
On the Penal Record application, ensure you tick the box requesting a record for Judicial Use while in the last two boxes, “Reason for Issue” and “Description”, please write Request for a Visa and Request for a Visa from the U.S. Embassy, Athens, respectively. You do not return to the Bureau to collect your Penal Record. The Bureau will send your record to the U.S. Consulate in Athens.
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