After you receive your visa interview appointment, you must complete each of these steps below. 

If you do not complete each step before your visa interview appointment the consular section may require you to reschedule for a later date.

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

Step 1: Register your appointment 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. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned interview date.

Register >>

Step 2: Schedule a medical exam in Georgia

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Georgia or Azerbaijan. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” link below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Georgia or Azerbaijan. Please 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

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved physicians

Tbilisi
Medical Center CITO
#40, Paliashvili St., Vake District, Tbilisi
Tel. (995 032) 2-25-19-48, (995 032) 2-25-19-51,
Or (995 595) 24-44-34
Fax: (995 32) 2-25-19-52
E-mail: spapava@cito.ge or gogilolash@gmail.com

Cost of medical examination: USD 220 minimum for persons over age 15; USD 200 minimum for persons under age 2-14. USD 130 minimum under age 2-14. USD 130 minimum under age 2; cost per vaccination ranges from $20 to $41. Georgian Lari, U.S. Dollars, MasterCard and UFC cards are accepted.

Baku
Prospekt Medical Azerbaijan
29C Yeryomenko Street Baku, AZ 1025 Azerbaijan
Tel: (994 12) 489-54 71
Fax: (994 12) 489-54 70
E-mail: BAKmarketing@internationalsos.com

Cost of basic medical examination: For adult - USD 65.00. For child - USD 55.00 (under age 14). This does not include vaccination fees, laboratory tests, x-ray and radiology consult, VAT or other applicable taxes.

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview appointment letter
• Your passport
• Four (4) recently taken passport-sized color photographs (2x2 inches or 5x5 cm)
• All vaccination records
• DS-260 Confirmation Page

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

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 the frequently asked questions about our medical exam requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will either give you the results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to the U.S. Embassy.

If given an envelope to carry to your interview, do not open this envelope. Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You do not need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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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.

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
  
  
• Your unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page of your passport (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 x 5 cm, or 2 x 2 in).  Review our online photo requirements.
  
  
• The confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
  
  
• Your original birth certificate, English translation of the birth certificate, and a photocopy of the birth certificate. We will not accept Georgian birth certificates for applicants not born in Georgia.
  
  
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).

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

For family-based visa applications: 

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s. (This is required only if it is not uploaded in the system).
  
  
• 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 the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are older than 18 years of age, present either:

• Your original certificate of non‐impediment to marriage, English translation, and a photocopy; OR
  
  
• Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you were previously married:

• Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, English translation, and a photocopy. 

If you are older than 16 years of age: 

• An original police certificate, including maiden names and former married names, from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. Police certificates from Georgia need to be obtained at the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in Tbilisi at P. Kavtaradze street 21. In the regions, they can be obtained at the structural units of the Service Agency. Please note that two separate Police certificates from Georgia (issued by the Service Agency) need to be submitted for IV purposes including current and expunged convictions. Police certificates from Azerbaijan must be obtained through the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) via ASAN Service centers or electronically through the MIA's electronic services portal: MIA Electronic Services Portal.

For employment-based visa applications:  A 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, English translation, and a photocopy. You must present court records even if you were pardoned or granted amnesty, or the criminal conviction is expunged.

If you are older than 18 years of age:  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:  The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

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Interview Guidelines

Translation requirements

All documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states the translation is accurate, and the translator is competent to translate. This must be sworn before a Notary Public.

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy

If the Embassy requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a VFS office. Learn how to submit your documents for delivery to the embassy at this web page.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, visit ustraveldocs.com to schedule a new appointment. There’s no guarantee that a visa will still be available if you reschedule your appointment. Check the Visa Bulletin carefully before you reschedule your interview. If you’re applying for a Diversity Visa (DV), remember that visas are limited in number and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy must follow certain security procedures. Below is a list of some prohibited items. This is not a complete list. Security personnel reserve the right to prohibit any item deemed a safety or security risk.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Weapons & Deterrents: Firearms (including replicas), ammunition, air/gas guns, knives (any size), clubs, mace, pepper spray, or any object capable of being used as a weapon.
• Electronics: Mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, laptops, tablets, recording devices, cameras, remote controls/key fobs, Bluetooth headphones, power banks, and chargers.
• Hazardous Materials: Flammable liquids and aerosols of all types.
• Baggage & Sealed Items: Large bags, suitcases, and sealed envelopes or packages.

Failure to Comply: If you don’t follow the security rules, you might not be allowed to enter. Individuals turned away for possessing prohibited items may be required to forfeit their current slot and reschedule their appointment.

Accompanying people

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. The following people may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or Georgian well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. The payment can be made either in cash or by card, in U.S. Dollars or Georgian Lari, unless you are a fiancé (K) visa applicant. Fiancé visa applicants are required to pay prior to scheduling and appearing for their interview. Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com to obtain the forms required to pay the fee. Please 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 here.

Do not make travel plans outside of Georgia

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. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only. If you must travel within Georgia while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

For applicants from Azerbaijan: Please note, we will try to print your immigrant visa by the Friday afternoon of the week of your visa interview if your visa is approved. Consider making flexible travel arrangements that allow you to stay in Georgia until the weekend.  

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only 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 more information is needed

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 consulate needs more time to review your case.
• The amount of time this takes depends on your specific situation.

Wait at least 60 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 examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – Everyone 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 children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa and within six months of your medical examination. 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. 

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. Do not travel outside of the United States until you receive your Permanent Resident Card. 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 – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody after a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent, we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please 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 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.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery 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 lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online.

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:
  • 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).
  • f you completed your secondary education in Georgia, your high school diploma must be verified by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement of Georgia. To request the verification of your educational document(s) please go to the website my.gov.ge and select “Confirmation of the Authenticity of Educational Documents”. In the “request data” box, please select all boxes.
  • If you completed your secondary education in Azerbaijan, your high school diploma must be verified by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education | TKTA. In order to request the verification of your educational document(s) you must contact TKTA and submit a written and signed letter of request (“Ərizə”) accompanied by a copy of your national ID.  You can submit your request in paper or by emailing them at info@tkta.edu.az.
• Payment of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee may be made either in cash or by card at the embassy.

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 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.

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