Q: I’m expecting to be interviewed at the US Embassy for my immigrant visa soon. What should I carry to my interview?

A: Congratulations, you are nearing the end of the immigrant visa process. At the interview, your immigration petition, visa application, and supporting information will be reviewed for compliance with immigration law, verification of the facts, and potential visa ineligibilities.

While your case file already contains extensive documentation, we do require you to bring several additional documents to your interview appointment. Without these final submissions your case will be delayed until we receive them. This can make the difference between receiving your visa a week or two after the interview or additional weeks or months. If you can ensure that you have everything you need prior to the interview, you will enjoy a much quicker and smoother process!

When you are notified that it is time for you to be interviewed at the embassy, you will receive a complete list of instructions. Here are some of the guidelines you should consider as you prepare for your interview:

• Bring the original and at least one good quality copy of your birth certificate and each of your civil documents that are relevant to your case (marriage and death certificates, divorce decrees, etc). This means that if your child is your petitioner (person who filed for you), you need to bring both your and your child’s birth certificates. If your child changed her name through marriage, the consular officer will need to see your child’s marriage certificate.

In Jamaica, the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) generates certified copies of civil documents on forms slightly longer than standard letter-size paper, and those documents bear serial numbers at the very top and bottom. This means that the copy size must be reduced to 92% to avoid cutting off the serial numbers. Copies missing serial numbers cannot be accepted.

• Carry any photographic evidence that would help you demonstrate the authenticity of your relationship with the petitioner to the consular officer. Since you cannot bring your phone with you into the embassy, please print out any photos beforehand and bring them to your appointment. Oftentimes, particularly for spousal relationships, it is also very helpful to provide the consular officer with chat records between you and your petitioner, which can be downloaded from applications like WhatsApp, Facebook and Messenger.

• We will need four colour passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa. Please review our online photo specifications to ensure the photos meet requirements.

• Your petitioner may accompany you to your interview and is encouraged to do so when a marital or fiancé(e) relationship forms the basis for the petition.

• Answer the consular officer’s questions clearly and honestly. For spousal relationships, be especially prepared to discuss your fiancé or husband or wife in detail.

In addition to the items listed above, immigrant-visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. In Jamaica there is only one facility accredited by the US Embassy to perform this exam: Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston. Results from medical examinations performed by other physicians will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam at the Hospital using the telephone numbers provided in your appointment letter. We strongly urge you to telephone the hospital to make your appointment immediately after you register your appointment for your visa interview online in order for the results of the exam to reach the embassy in time for your interview.

In order for the doctor to complete the medical form during the exam you will need to bring your visa-interview appointment letter, your passport, four passport-sized colour photographs taken recently (these are in addition to the ones you will bring to your visa interview), reading glasses (if used), a copy of your immunization records, and all medication containers and/or most recent prescriptions. The doctor will complete the medical form and send it directly to the US Embassy.

In general, it’s a good idea to bring as much information as possible to the visa interview. Having photos, original civil documents, and documentation, if relevant, of property titles, life insurance, tax or other financial activities on hand will make the process faster and easier.

Avoid unnecessary delays; follow instructions and come prepared with everything you need!

You can find more information about how to travel to the US on our website, jm.usembassy.gov. Keep on top of embassy news and get answers to your questions on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter .

Send questions to editorial@jamaicaobserver.com. These will be forwarded to the embassy oon your behalf.