Follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

If you do not complete each step before your visa interview, the consular section may require you to reschedule.

All applicants must follow the instructions below before going to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Step 1: Register Online

Before your visa interview appointment, register online. Registering lets us return your passport and documents to you after your visa interview. It also allows you to cancel or reschedule your interview if necessary.

Register Online >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam

As soon as you receive your appointment date, schedule a medical exam. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Cambodia. Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

Everyone applying for an immigrant visa, no matter how old they are, must have a medical exam first. Only a physician approved by the U.S. Embassy is allowed to do this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy. We do not accept medical exam results from other physicians.

Authorized Panel Physicians and Fees
The following physicians are authorized to conduct medical exams for visa applicants. The fees listed below are for the medical exam only. Immunizations may incur additional charges.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Migration Health Assessment Centre
Dr. YIN Setheka
Dr. KEO Dararoth
Address: #42, Samdach Pan Street (214),
Sangkat Beoung Raing,
Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (023) 214 132; (095) 805 306; (098) 805 306

Raffles Medical (Cambodia)
Dr. N. TAN
Dr. CHEN Kosal
Dr. MEASKETH Carine
Address: #161, Street 51 (Pasteur),
Sangkat Boeung Raing,
Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (023) 216 911; (012) 816 911; Telegram: 092 555 951
Email: enquiries_phnompenh@rafflesmedical.com
Website: www.rafflesmedical.com.kh

Items to bring to your medical exam

Applicants must bring the following documents to their medical exam. Make sure you have all the documents and photographs that you need before going to your exam appointment.

• Valid passport for each applicant.
• Visa interview appointment letter.
• DS-260 confirmation page or a packet 3 letter that includes a case number.
• A copy of your immunization records.
• Records of any major illnesses.
• Photographs:
  • Six (1×1½ inches or 4×6 cm) photographs for IOM
  • Eight (1×1½ inches or 4×6 cm) photographs for Raffles Medical

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician. Vaccines/immunizations and TB sputum tests (if required) will require additional fees.

During the medical exam

The medical exam will include:

• A medical history review,
• A physical exam,
• A Chest X-ray,
• Blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older),
• Gonorrhea testing (for applicants 18–24 years of age, or as needed)
• Tuberculosis testing (for applicants two years of age and older).

Your physician may request other tests as needed. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, the medications you are taking, and the current treatments you are receiving. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to get certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov. There you can find information on what vaccines you need based on your age. You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical exam requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your exam is completed, the doctor will send the examination report directly to the U.S. Embassy. You must carry your radiography CD (x-rays) with you when you travel to the United States for the first time.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

Failure to submit ALL required documents on this checklist means your visa interview may be cancelled and rescheduled.

• Photographs: Two (2) COLOR front view photographs taken within the past six months. Review our photo requirements.
  
  
• Passport: Original and a photocopy. Your passport must be valid for travel to the United States and have at least eight (8) months of validity beyond the visa issuance date.
  
  
• Previous Passports: Submit all previous passports, or police reports for any lost or missing previous passports or U.S. visas, particularly passports containing other U.S. visas or that were used to travel to the United States.
  
  
• Confirmation of Form DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa Application: To complete this online form, visit ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx and follow the directions on the website for DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. Create a new profile and DS-260 for the current immigrant visa application, do not use profiles from old applications.
  
  
• Confirmation of Global Support Strategy (GSS) Registration: Each applicant must create their own profile and register a mailing address in the GSS system at https://www.usvisascheduling.com/en-US/. Please print out your GSS Confirmation Page showing UID Barcode and bring it to the Embassy.
  
  
• Court and Prison Records (if any): If you were convicted of a crime, bring a certified copy of each court and prison record, even if you were later granted amnesty, a pardon, or other act of clemency. You must also submit the section of the law under which you were found guilty and which shows the maximum penalty, along with certified English translations any documents not in English.
  
  
• Birth Certificate. You and each family member immigrating with you must obtain an original birth certificate or certified copy.
  
  
• Name Change Certificates or court order. If you have changed any of your names, you must submit all name change certificates or court order. Please arrange the certificates/court orders in order from oldest to newest. The interviewing officer must be able to clearly track the name changes from the name on your birth certificate to the name on your passport. Please place the English translation of this document on top of the original.
  
  
• Police Certificates: Original and copy. If you are 16 years of age or older, you must obtain a police certificate from all countries you have lived in using the criteria below:

Note: Present and former residents of the United States do NOT need to submit any U.S. police certificates. Instructions for obtaining a police certificate can be found on our website: Reciprocity Schedule.

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• Affidavit of Support (AOS): 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 Status: 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).
  
  
• Evidence of Relationship: Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, and chat logs). If the Consular Officer is not convinced of your relationship with the petitioner, you may be asked to submit further evidence.

If you are married currently or have ever been married before:

• Marriage Certificate: Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Divorce or Death Certificates: Both the petitioner and applicant must present certificates or court order for the legal termination of any prior marriages or for the death of a prior spouse. Place the English translation of this document on top of the original.

For employment-based visa (E) applications:

• Offer Letter: Original job offer letter signed by the petitioning company on their company letterhead and issued 6 months prior to your interview.
• Form I-864: This form is only required the petitioner is a relative or has a 5% or more ownership interest in the petitioning business.

If you have served in any country’s military:

• Military records: English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted:

• Adoption papers or custody documents: English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:

• Marriage Certificate: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy.
• Divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

Translations

All non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation that includes a statement by the translator that the “Translation is accurate” and the “Translator is competent to translate.” Bring a copy of the translation to the interview.

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Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or Cancelling Interview

If you can’t make your appointment, tell the Immigrant Visa Unit as soon as possible using the Visa Navigator Tool. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so try to attend the date we give you.

There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule.

Security Screening Procedures

Everyone visiting the U.S. Embassy must follow our security procedures. If you refuse to go through security screening, you won’t be allowed to enter.

For the safety of all applicants and employees, you can’t bring cell phones or other electronic devices inside the embassy. You also can’t bring any large bags, luggage, liquids or food. To avoid delays for yourself and others, only bring what you need for your appointment.

Accompanying People

Only the following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or Khmer well enough to participate.
• Children Under the Age of 18: A parent or legal guardian should accompany the minor to the visa interview.  If a parent or legal guardian cannot attend the interview, another adult may bring a notarized letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing him/her to be the parent’s representative for the purpose of the interview.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant Visa Fees

If you have not paid all the required fees to the National Visa Center, be prepared to pay the required visa fee at the time of the interview.

Do not make travel plans outside of Cambodia

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. You will be able to pick up your passport at the designated location within 10 business days.

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can only decide on a visa application after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If we need more information

Sometimes a consular officer refuses a visa application to review additional documents or for administrative processing.

For additional documents:

• The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents.
• The letter will include instructions on how to submit those documents to the embassy.

For administrative processing:

• This means the Embassy needs more time to review your case.
• How long this takes depends on your specific situation.

Wait at least 90 days after your interview before asking about your application status.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical exam, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities. If your case is processed electronically, your visa will have a note saying  “IV DOCS in CCD”. In this case, you do not need to bring a sealed visa package to U.S. Immigration.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – Pay your Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a fiancé(e) K visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six (6) months from the date of printing. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives, consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants –Visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

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Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website.
  
  
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online).
  
  
• Payment of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee.

Review your DV Program entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa program will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the DV program, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online.

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K1/K3 Visas - Special Instructions

Instructions for K-1 Visa Applicants

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A K visa for a fiancé permits the holder to travel to the United States to marry a U.S. Citizen, or for a spouse and child to join family in the United States. For the full details and procedures of the K visa process, please visit: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/kh/en/immigrant-visa#kvisa

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