Gathering Documents Required for the Interview Clarification

[TaskenLander 12]

Hello all!

Thanks in part to the helpful advice and feedback I've received here, my wife and I are are FINALLY nearing the end of our two plus year visa journey! She has completed her medical exam and is scheduled to do her Applicant Interview this Thursday morning, Nov 30th (Japan time). We are still a little mixed on what exactly is required of her to psychically bring to the interview. The NVC website states, "Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, and the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC."

 

Does all she need to bring with her are her sealed official police background check and Family Register (Japanese equivalent to a birth certificate and marriage certificate)? 

 

Any insight and further clarification on this would greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you in advance,

Michael

[Crazy Cat 41,683]

The requirements are consulate specific.  They didn't send you a list?  My wife (Taiwan) was told to bring original police reports, original birth certificate, original marriage license, original divorce certificate, relationship evidence, I-864, tax documents.  I would over-prepare.   I would bring everything....including the kitchen sink. Good luck.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[TaskenLander 12]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

The requirements are consulate specific.  They didn't send you a list?  My wife (Taiwan) was told to bring original police reports, original birth certificate, original marriage license, original divorce certificate, relationship evidence, I-864, tax documents.  I would over-prepare.   I would bring everything....including the kitchen sink. Good luck.

That's what we are confused on. Looking further, the website always says:

 

---

 

Pre-Interview checklist

 

Please use the list below to determine the items that the applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

• A “LetterPack Plus” self- addressed, pre-paid envelope that can be purchased at a post office. Please write “documents” on the “Content Descriptions” field and include a local address. We will use this to return your passport after the interview.
   
• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).

• Unexpired passport valid for at least 60 days beyond the validity date of the Immigrant Visa.

• Two (2) color photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch).  Please review the requirements.

• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
   
• Your original birth certificate and an English translation.
   
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope or if your medical results were sent by the Consulate electronically, a copy of your vaccination records generated by the hospital.

• 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 below should bring these additional documents

• For family based visa applications:

• 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. The sponsor needs to submit separate Forms I-864 and supporting documents for each Immediate Relative visa applicant, such as IR-1, IR-2 or IR-5. If more than one applicant is traveling on a preference case such as F1, F2, F3 or F4, a photocopy of Form I-864 and supporting documents must be provided for each derivative applicant (spouse and children).
• 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 married: Your original marriage certificate and an English translation, and a photocopy. 

  If you were previously married: Your original or certified true copy of the divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate, an English translation, and a photocopy. 

  If you are older than 16 years of ageor older:  You must obtain an The original or certified copy of a police certificate from the following countries:

  1. Any country that you have lived in for more than 1 year.

  2. Your country of nationality, if you have lived there for more than 6 months after the age of 16.

  3. Your current country of residence, if you have lived there for more than 6 months after the age of 16.

  Your Japanese Police Certificate should be in a sealed envelope. Your Japanese Police Certificate should be in a sealed envelope. If the seal is broken, the certificate is no longer valid.   

  If the following three items are all true, you must bring acquire and bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

  1. You are older than 16 years;

  2. You obtained a police certificate more than two years ago; and

  3. You reentered in the country that issued the police certificate.

  For employment-based visa applications: 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 and an English translation, and a photocopy.

  If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and an English translation, and a photocopy.

  If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents and an English translation, and a photocopy.

  If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:  The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, an English translation, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.  

 

Does this mean I need to reshare with her all our original documents such as my taxes, I-864, U.S. marriage certificate, photos, text exchanges, etc.? Even though they have already been uploaded to NVC?

 

Thank you,

Michael

[Crazy Cat 41,683]

That is very similar to wife's list from AIT in Taipei.  I would still take I-864 and tax documents.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[TaskenLander 12]

Obviously, the wife will bring original copies of her Japan issued documents with her. Its fine, you think, if I just share a Google Drive folder w/ her with uploaded copies of all my U.S. based documents? Thank you again for your timely replies. 

[Crazy Cat 41,683]

5 minutes ago, TaskenLander said:

if I just share a Google Drive folder w/ her with uploaded copies of all my U.S. based documents?

Yes.  They can be printed copies.

[TaskenLander 12]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Yes.  They can be printed copies.

Awesome. Just wanted to be certain. We will certainly take your advice and "over prepare" haha. Thank you again. 🐱

[JeanneAdil 6,448]

Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/immigrant-visa-for-spouse.html#:~:text=The consular officer may ask,to your immigrant visa interview.

[NorthByNorthwest 334]

21 hours ago, TaskenLander said:

Hello all!

Thanks in part to the helpful advice and feedback I've received here, my wife and I are are FINALLY nearing the end of our two plus year visa journey! She has completed her medical exam and is scheduled to do her Applicant Interview this Thursday morning, Nov 30th (Japan time). We are still a little mixed on what exactly is required of her to psychically bring to the interview. The NVC website states, "Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, and the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC."

 

I did a K-1 interview in Tokyo 7 years ago, the focus was really on my (beneficiary) documents, with the added twist of me not being Japanese so I had police certificates from multiple countries (including Japan) and a different type of birth certificate than they were used to seeing. The medical was of course done in Japan and that along with the police certificates was really all they looked at, with 2-3 questions around how I met my fiancée. Took less than 5 minutes.

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from NVC forum to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion, as the topic is about interview requirements at a specific consulate ***

 

[TaskenLander 12]

Update for those who are interested: The interview went well! Though I ended up having to mail her original copies of my divorce decree from my previous marriage and our U.S. marriage certificate as they did not accept copies of these documents.   

[smuller 2]

Did they actually look at the police reports? I’m missing one and am considering going without it. 

[appleblossom 2,382]

Just now, smuller said:

Did they actually look at the police reports? I’m missing one and am considering going without it. 

 

Yes, they look at them, to check that the copy you uploaded to NVC was genuine. That's why the original of certain docs is required at the interview stage. 

 

This of course is assuming you're also applying for a CR1/IR1 - your other post is on a thread about DCF, so not sure what route you're going down?

[smuller 2]

I’m doing DCF in Frankfurt 

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

Yes, they look at them, to check that the copy you uploaded to NVC was genuine. That's why the original of certain docs is required at the interview stage. 

 

This of course is assuming you're also applying for a CR1/IR1 - your other post is on a thread about DCF, so not sure what route you're going down?

I’m doing DCF in Frankfurt 

[appleblossom 2,382]

1 minute ago, smuller said:

I’m doing DCF in Frankfurt 

 

 

Ah, ok. Might be better off starting your own thread then as this thread is about a 'normal' spousal visa application. 

 

But if a police cert is available to you (check the country specific guidelines), then yes, it will be required and your visa won't be approved without it.