Follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
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 AIT.
A Chinese-language translation of these instructions is available in the PDF “Print” link to the right.
Before your visa interview appointment, register online. Registering gives us the information we need to return your passport and documents after your visa interview. Registration also allows you to cancel or reschedule your interview if necessary. Click the “Register” button below to register.
As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Taiwan. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Taiwan. Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.
It is important that you ensure any required electronic documents are uploaded and that you bring all required original documents to your interview. Note that missing documents may result in multiple trips to AIT. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.
Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.
Everyone applying for an immigrant visa, no matter how old they are, must have a medical exam before they get their visa. Only a physician approved by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule an appointment with one of the doctors listed below and complete a medical exam early enough for your examination results to be submitted by designated panel physician sites before your visa interview at the American Institute in Taiwan. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.
Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of the approved physicians at least 3-4 weeks before your visa interview. Hospitals in Taiwan typically require 2-3 weeks after the appointment date to finalize the results and completing your medical exam late may result in multiple trips to AIT. If your medical results will not be ready by the date of your interview, bring your medical exam receipt to the interview.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE, EXECUTIVE YUAN
FENG YUAN HOSPITAL
Dr. Ching Jen Chang, and Dr. Yu Chieh Tsai
No.100, An-Kan Road, Feng Yuan District, Taichung City 420
Tel: (04) 2527-1180 ext. 3232 - 3233
TAIWAN ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
Online registration only
Dr. Hsin Ying Lin, Dr. Pei-Hsuan Weng, and
Dr. Chih-Hsung Huang
#424, Pa Teh Rd., Sec.2, Taipei
Tel: (02) 2740-0729
Any medical exam fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician. Bring the following items to your medical exam:
The medical exam will include:
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. If you have any concerns regarding your health conditions, please consult with our panel physicians.
U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa beneficiaries 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 the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about our medical exam requirements at Travel.state.gov.
When your exam is complete, the doctor will either provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to AIT.
IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Instead, bring it sealed to your visa interview.
Beneficiaries using the e-Medical process are not required to bring any X-rays to their port-of-entry. If you are NOT using the e-Medical process, you must hand carry your CD containing x-rays when you travel to the United States and present it to the U.S. immigration inspector at the port-of-entry, along with your immigrant visa packet. DO NOT PLACE THE CD IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE.
Uploading Documents: If your case is electronic/paperless (PIVOT), scans of all required documents listed below must also be uploaded to your file on the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Failure to upload these documents will cause processing delays and may result in multiple trips to AIT.
Use the list below to ensure you bring every required document to the immigrant visa interview.
Petitioner's Documents:
If the applicant is applying for an IR5 or an F4 visa, you must obtain an original or certified copy of the petitioner’s birth certificate. (For births in Taiwan, you may submit the petitioner’s current Household Registration Transcript in two sets, English and Chinese with full remarks provided by the household registration office within a year.)
If the applicant is applying for an IR1, CR1, or F2A visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and the petitioning spouse was previously married, you must provide evidence of the termination of every prior marriage of the petitioning spouse. The evidence must be an original or certified copy of a final legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers.
If the applicant is a stepchild and is applying for an IR2, CR2, F2, or any other visa classification requiring that the applicant be a child, you must provide an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate of every marriage of the petitioner and the applicant’s natural parent. If the petitioner or applicant’s natural parent was previously married, the applicant must obtain evidence of the termination of every prior marriage. The evidence must be an original or certified copy of a final legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers
Passport: Valid passport. If any prior passport(s) contain valid, unexpired U.S. nonimmigrant visas you must also bring the prior passports.
Photographs: Two (2) color photographs of each applicant applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm). Please review our online photo requirements.
Birth Certificate: Your original birth certificate and a photocopy. NOTE: No birth certificates are accepted for Taiwanese citizens born in Taiwan, and you must instead submit the original Individual Household Registration Transcript in two sets, English and Chinese with full remarks, issued within a year. You can find information on how to obtain this document under “Birth Certificates”.
Household Registration Transcript (HRT) (for Taiwanese citizens only): Provide two sets of your current Household Registration Transcript in English and Chinese with full remarks issued within a year for each applicant.
Name Change: Evidence of legal name change if any differences between provided documents.
Medical Examination Results (if the physician gives you these results): In a sealed envelope.
Marriage Certificate (if married and requested by): Your original marriage certificate, and a photocopy, for each applicant.
Divorce and Death Certificates (if ever previously married and requested by): Original and photocopies of certificates of marriage termination for every prior marriage, and any death or divorce certificates for prior spouses, for each applicant.
Police Certificate: All beneficiaries over 16 years of age must provide original police certificates issued within the last 24 months, and a photocopy if you would like the original certificate returned to you.
Court and criminal records (if you have ever been convicted of a crime in any country): Provide court records showing the final disposition of all charges with English translation, and a photocopy.
Military Records (if you have ever served in the military of any country): Provide military records, and a photocopy. Not required for service in the Taiwan military.
Adoption (if adopted): Provide court adoption order and a photocopy.
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and Supporting Financial Documents:
Affidavit of Support: By signing Form I-864, your petitioner (including co-sponsor(s) and joint sponsor(s)) agree to use their resources to support you and any dependents. If you or your dependents immigrating with you receive certain means-tested public benefits, the agency providing the benefit may request repayment from your sponsor(s). That agency can take legal action against any of your sponsors if you do not repay the cost of those benefits. See travel.state.gov for more information on means-tested public benefits.
For Family-Based Visa categories the petitioner must submit:
When submitting any version of Form I-864: Provide proof of status and domicile in the United States for your U.S. petitioner and any joint sponsor's. A photocopy of the U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card may be acceptable.
If your petitioner has no income or does not meet poverty income guidelines: The petitioner will still need to complete an affidavit of support Forms I-864 or I-864EZ. However, you will also need to find a joint sponsor who meets the poverty income guidelines for the relevant family size. The joint sponsor must submit all documents listed above.
For employment (E) visa categories: Provide an original job offer letter from the petitioning business signed within the past six months instead of a Form I-864.
For returning residents (SB-1), diversity visa (DV), and fiancé (K1): A sponsor or petitioner who will financially support you may complete a Form I-134 and provide a copy of his/her IRS-issued tax transcript and all supporting financial documents needed to verify the income reported on his or her tax returns - i.e. W-2 form, 1099-MISC form, proof of rental income, proof of business income, proof of social security benefits, etc. for the latest year available. You may also submit other financial evidence to show that you will not become a public charge in the United States.
You can find more information on affidavits of support and the supporting financial evidence required on the USCIS website and on the Department of State website.
Applicants who fall into any category below should bring these additional documents to their visa interviews:
If you are an E1, E2, or E3 employment applicant:
If you have traveled to the U.S. and applied to extend or change your nonimmigrant status: Copies of extension application(s) and approval notice(s).
If you have previously been ordered removed from the United States or if you have been the subject of any other immigration proceedings: Copies of all records, including waivers.
Rescheduling or cancelling your interview
We recommend you make every effort to attend your scheduled immigrant visa appointment. You may not schedule a new appointment until your original appointment date has passed. If you are not able to attend on this date, you must book a new available appointment slot with AIT. Note that appointment slots are limited. Missing your original appointment may result in significant delays to your visa processing. If no appointment slots are available at the time you check, please monitor the website. We regularly make more appointment slots available.
Please do not reschedule your interview until you have compiled all your required documentation and your medical examination report is complete. Please ensure that all required documents are up to date when you come to the interview.
DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. For these applicants, there is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.
Security screening procedures
All visitors to AIT must follow certain security procedures. You can review the list of prohibited items here. The American Institute in Taiwan cannot store prohibited items for you. You will not be allowed to enter AIT with prohibited items. All visitors must make other arrangements to store prohibited items before entering AIT. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in significant delays or cancellation of your appointment.
Mobile phones are not allowed in the interviewing area and will be stored at the security check. When you arrive at AIT, please enter at the Consular/Visa Entrance and proceed to the third floor. You may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before or after your listed appointment time.
Accompanying people
Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the American Institute in Taiwan. Access to the Consular Section waiting area is limited to the following:
We can provide services in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Taiwanese. If you do not speak any of these languages, you need to bring an interpreter to your visa appointment. Submit a request at least two weeks before your interview date. Your interpreter must be able to speak English. Interpreters without prior AIT approval will not be allowed into the Consular Section waiting area.
Visa appointment holders may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before or after their appointment.
Immigrant visa fees
If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in cash in U.S. dollars, NT dollars, or by credit card.
Checks are not accepted. Note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found on Travel.state.gov.
Do not make travel plans outside of Taiwan
If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the American Institute while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you via courier services to the document delivery address you previously registered. Average processing time after your interview is two (2) weeks. If you need to travel within Taiwan while your passport is still with us, make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.
If you have urgent international travel within 30 days after your appointment date, inform the officer at your interview. Your passport can be returned to you without a visa, and your application will be on hold until you send your passport to AIT through our drop-off service after you return to Taiwan.
A consular officer can only decide on a visa application after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. 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 in your hands.
If more information is needed
Sometimes a consular officer declines to interview or refuses a visa application to review additional documents or for administrative processing.
For rescheduling:
For additional documents:
For administrative processing:
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 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 and vaccination records during your medical exam, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.
If your immigrant visa has the “IV Docs in CCD” note on it, you will not receive a sealed package of documents. All required documents have been electronically submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a part of the Electronic Visa Information Packet (EVIP).
Please use our Navigator to contact us with the correct subject line and content if you need correction with your visa.
USCIS Immigrant Fee: All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an 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 adopted children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents (SB-1s), and people traveling on a K visa.
When You Should Travel: You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually based on the expiration date of your medical report. 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 DS-260 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.
We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you follow their rules. 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 because 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.
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:
Review your DV Lottery 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 living separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).
Additionally, you must have listed ALL 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 lottery may 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. You can review the eligibility requirements online.
Last Updated: 7/31/2026
100 Jinhu Road,
Neihu District, Taipei 11461
Taiwan
