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The Interview

The Immigrant Visa Interview

The appointment for the visa interview is scheduled either by the National Visa Center (NVC) or the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy, depending on which office processed the application. 

Immediate Relative Category:  In general, applicants registered in the immediate relative category will be contacted within 4 - 6 weeks of the NVC completing action on their application.  Those whose application is being processed by the Embassy, will not receive an appointment date until the Immigrant Visa Unit has not only completed action on the application, but has also received the results of the medical examination.  

K visa Category: The appointment for the visa interview will not be scheduled until the Immigrant Visa Unit has completed action on the application and has also received the results of the medical examination.   

Family and Employment Category:  Applicants registered for immigration in the family or employment based preference categories are subject to the annual numerical limitation on immigrants admitted into the United States. In such cases, the appointment for the formal visa interview is scheduled within two months of a visa number becoming available for the applicant's use.

Who is required to attend?

All applicants registered for immigration in the immediate relative category, including children, are required to attend the Embassy in person for a formal visa interview with a U.S. consular officer. Persons under the age of fourteen who are deriving status from an immigrant visa or a K visa petition filed on behalf of a parent and are applying for the visa at the same time as the parent need not attend the interview. They must, however, attend the medical examination.   

Documents which must be presented to the Consular Officer on the day of the interview.  

Applicants are required to present the originals or certified copies, and one photocopy, of all documents applicable to their application on the day of the visa interview.  If an applicant fails to bring the relevant documents, his or her appointment will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.  Please, therefore, take the time to review the document check list before attending the interview.  For information on the the location of the Embassy and security procedures in place, please click on the relevant tabs on the left-hand Navigation bar.  

What NOT to forget for your Immigrant Visa

  • Video explaining what NOT to forget for your Immigrant Visa Attending an Immigrant Visa interview at the U.S. Embassy? This video highlights the documentation that is required when you come for your first appointment. Click here to view the video

New Immigrant Visa Fees

  • Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas at the U.S. Embassy in London must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States. Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee. The fee must be paid after the immigrant visa has been issued but before the applicant travels to the United States on the visa. Read more....

Rescheduling the Interview

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    If you wish to reschedule the appointment for the visa interview, you may call the Operator Assisted Information Service for assistance.  Please note:  While we will attempt to accomodate your change of appointment request, it may not always be possible to offer you your preferred choice.  In addition, preference applicants will require new visa numbers which will take at least two months to obtain.  

Processing the Visa