Step 11: Applicant Interview
Prior to the interview, ensure you have followed the U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview preparation instructions.
On the scheduled date and time of your interview appointment, go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with your printed visa application (DS-260) confirmation page. A consular officer will interview you (and accompanying family member beneficiaries) and determine whether or not you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa. As part of the interview process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken.
Important Notice
You should not make permanent financial commitments, such as selling your house, car or property, resigning from your job, or making other travel arrangements, until you have received your immigrant visa.
Who Must Attend the Interview
- You (the principal applicant), regardless of age.
- Any family members immigrating with you, if they will be at least 14 years old on the day of the interview. These family members include your spouse and any qualified unmarried children on the same petition and case number.
- Any family member, regardless of age, who has their own petition/case number. That's because they are their own principal applicant.
Who Is Not Required to Attend the interview
- Your family members under the age of 14 on the day of the interview, even if they are noted as traveling applicants on the Interview Appointment Letter you receive from the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Your family members (spouse and/or qualified unmarried children) who will immigrate at a later date and travel separately from you. They will be scheduled for a separate interview appointment. You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews, if needed.
- Your sponsor/petitioner.
Even though they don't have to attend the interview, these family members are usually still welcome to come with you. Many consular officers appreciate this opportunity to see the whole family together, which may reduce follow-up questions later. Please check if there are specific instructions from the consular section where you will interview.
What to bring to the Interview
The applicant is responsible to bring all required original or certified copy civil documents to the visa interview. Failure to bring all required documents to the interview may cause delay or denial of the visa. You must bring the following documents to the interview:
- Appointment Letter – The interview appointment letter you received from NVC.
- Passport – For each applicant, an unexpired passport valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States
- Photographs – two identical color photograph(s) for each applicant, which must meet the general Photograph Requirements.
- DS-260 Confirmation Page
- Supporting Documents – original or certified copies of all civil documents you uploaded into CEAC.
Your original documents will be returned to you when the interview has been completed. Any photocopies provided may be kept.
- English Translations – If documents requiring English translation were not sent to NVC, you must obtain them and present them on the day of your interview. For more information please review the U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview preparation instructions.
- Visa Fees – If your visa application fees were collected by NVC, you do not need to pay again. However, if you or any family member did not pay all the necessary fees, you will be asked to pay any unpaid fees at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Failure to Appear for Interview - If you cannot appear at your scheduled interview, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. If you do not contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate within one year of receiving your interview appointment letter, your case may be terminated and your immigrant visa petition cancelled, and any fees paid will not be refunded.
Need to change the interview date and time - Instructions to reschedule your appointment are available at U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview preparation instructions.