Pre-Interview checklist
Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview.
If your case is being processed ELECTRONICALLY your petitioner should have submitted the copies of the documents listed below to NVC via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
Any documents that are submitted to CEAC and are not in English must be uploaded with a notarized English translation. It is very important that copies and translation of each document are scanned and uploaded in one file. If your documents are not submitted in the required format, they will be rejected at the time of your interview which may delay the processing of your case. Therefore, ensure to review all documents submitted to CEAC before your Interview.
For additional information on how to upload documents to CEAC please review Scanning and Uploading Tips.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THE ORIGINALS OF ALL DOCUMENTS WHICH WERE SUBMITTED TO CEAC TO YOUR INTERVIEW.
Please ensure that your petitioner has submitted the following documents using the CEAC before your interview:
- Police certificate from Tajikistan issued no more than 6 months before your interview.
- The police certificate must contain all names, surnames, maiden names, and dates of birth that the beneficiary has ever used. You must have a police certificate from each country in which you have ever lived or served for more than 6 months, starting from the age of 16, including periods of study and military service. If you have lived abroad (including military service), certificates are required from those countries where you stayed for more than six months (except the United States).
- Proof of petitioner’s status in the United States, such as U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or Permanent Resident Card (also known as green card).
- Petitioner’s most recent tax return or other documents indicated most recent year’s income.
If your case is being processed REGULARLY (PAPER BASED, including DIVERSITY VISA cases) any documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation:
- A copy of your interview letter.
- Unexpired passport valid for international travel and at least 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).
- 2 color 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. (Not required for fiancé or K visa applicants.)
- For fiancé or K visa applicants only: Confirmation page from the Form DS-160 Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/genniv.
- Your original birth certificate, and a photocopy with a notarized English translation. If your name has changed, please provide a name change document issued by a court or Civil Registration Office with a notarized English translation.
NOTE: If your civil documents (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, education documents) are readable, you are not required to submit renewed duplicates.
Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should provide 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.
- Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or Permanent Resident Card).
- Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant: for parents of U.S. citizens – original birth certificate of the petitioner. If you are applying for a spouse or fiancé visa, bring evidence to demonstrate your relationship with the petitioner, such as photos, letters, emails and chat printouts, money transfer receipts, etc., from the beginning of your relationship to the present.
If you are married: Your original marriage certificate, notarized English translation, and a photocopy.
If you were previously married: Your original divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate, notarized English translation, and a photocopy.
If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:
1. You are older than 16 years;
2. You obtained a police certificate more than one year ago; and
3. You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.
For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.
If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, notarized English translation, and a photocopy. You must also provide a copy of the statute under which you were convicted.
All male applicants over 18 years old: Military records (military book or draft registration card also known as "Гувоҳномаи бақайдгирӣ" or "Приписное свидетельство"), notarized English translation, and a photocopy. Applicants who completed Soviet military service outside what is now Tajikistan (i.e., in Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc.) must present police certificates from those countries. For information on how to apply for a police certificate in another country, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website and select the desired country from the drop-down menu.
If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, notarized English translation, and a photocopy.
If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, notarized English translation, and a photocopy along with original divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.
If you are applying for an IR5 (parent of a U.S. citizen) or F4 (brother/sister of a U.S. citizen) visa: Bring the original birth certificate of the petitioning U.S. citizen, notarized English translation and a photocopy.
If you are a follow-to-join derivative applicant (the parent or spouse who was the principal beneficiary on the petition is already in the United States): Bring evidence of the principal applicant’s status change in the United States. This can be shown with a copy of Form I-551 and/or other documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security verifying the principal applicant’s legal status.
If you are applying for a K1, K2, K3, or K4 visa:
- Confirmation page from the Form DS-160 Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov.
- An I-134 Affidavit of Support of 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.
back to top