Immigrant Visa Interview


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Original documents

What original civil documents are required for an immigrant visa?

The applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States will need to obtain the following original documents or certified copies of the documents from an appropriate authority (the issuing entity).

All documents that pertain to the applicant’s petition are required, even if they were previously submitted to the CIS with the applicant’s petition.

Do the applicant’s civil documents need to be translated to English?

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified English translations. 

The Translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the:

  • Translation is accurate, and
  • Translator is competent to translate.

If the applicant previously submitted a civil document to Citizenship and Immigration Services, does the applicant need to submit it to the Department of State as well?

All documents that pertain to the applicant’s petition are required, even if they were previously submitted to the CIS with the applicant’s petition.

What if the applicant is unable to obtain a civil document?

Additional information on obtaining civil documents or what to do if a document is unobtainable are available by clicking on the following links or by contacting the National Visa Center.

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