Step 10: Prepare for the Interview
After the National Visa Center (NVC) schedules your visa interviewappointment, they will send you, your petitioner, and your agent/attorney (if applicable) an email noting the appointment date and time. After you receive an interview Appointment Letter from NVC, you must take the following steps BEFORE the interview date.
1. Schedule and Complete a Medical Examination
You (and each family member or “derivative applicant” applying for a visa with you) are required to schedule a medical appointment with an authorized physician in the country where you will be interviewed. This exam must be with an embassy-approved doctor, also referred to as the Panel Physician.Exams conducted by other physicians will not be accepted.The exam results can take up to 96 hours.You must complete your medical examination, along with any required vaccinations,beforeyour scheduled visa interview date. Please visit ourList of U.S. Embassies and Consulatesfor country-specific medical examination instructions.
After your exam, thePanel Physicianwill either send the exam results directly to the embassy or give you a sealed envelope. If the doctor gives you an envelope, donotopen it. Instead, bring it to your visa interview and give it to the consular officer.
2.Register for Courier Service/Other Pre-Interview Instructions
3. Gather Documents Required for the Interview
Every visa applicant,no matter their age,must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, and the originalor certified copyversion of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC.
What happens if you forget to bring something on this list? The consular officer will not be able to complete the processing of your visa. You will have to gather the missing items and provide them to the embassy or consulate, and may have to come for additional interviews. Failure to bring all items on the above list can delay visa issuance.
