ask the consul
How Can I Ensure I am Prepared For My Immigrant Visa Interview?
Every day, many applicants leave the Consular Section of the Embassy without their visas due to lack of preparedness. You can avoid this by having all the required documents completed. Depending on the type of visa, most applicants require an Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-230), certificates of birth, marriage, and divorce, a medical report, a police certificate, and an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
The DS-230 must be completed in advance. Make sure all names are spelled correctly and dates of birth; marriage and divorce certificates are included and correct. Do not sign the form. The DS-230 must be signed in front of the consular officer. Please be sure to answer all questions truthfully and accurately. If you fail to answer a question or answer a question untruthfully – for example, concealing a prior arrest – this will delay your visa issuance and perhaps result in a permanent refusal.
Colombian birth, marriage, and divorce certificates must be certified copies. The Consular Section requires long-form birth certificates for all applicants born in 1940 or later. We do not accept short form birth certificates for applicants or American citizens petitioning for a parent. Baptism certificates may be used in place of a birth certificate for applicants born in 1939 or earlier. Before you come to the Consular Section, make sure all names and dates of birth are correct and exactly match the applicant’s passport. A simple misspelling of a name could delay visa issuance for a week or more.
Medical examination results and police certificates are valid for one year. Please schedule your medical examination as soon as you receive your interview date so that your medical examinations will be ready for your interview.
You must have one I-864 from the petitioner. If the petitioner does not meet the financial requirements to support the applicants, you will need an I-864 from one or more joint sponsors. A copy of the most recent U.S. Federal or Puerto Rican tax return must accompany each I-864. You can save time and paper by naming all the applicants on one I-864 instead of submitting one for each applicant.
Photocopies of U.S. birth, death, marriage, divorce, citizenship and legal residence documents are acceptable.
Finally, check your passport. Make sure it is not about to expire.
Each of these steps improves your chances of obtaining your visa promptly. Qualified applicants will be able to pick up their issued visas two business days after their interview.