AFTER INTERVIEW

At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the
consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.
Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport
and visa will be returned to you.
Visa denial - If denied, you will be informed why you are ineligible to receive a visa.
Review About Visa Denials below and the Denials webpage for more detailed
information.
Visa Approval - When You Receive Your Visa
Passport with Visa Your immigrant visa will be placed on a page in your passport.
Please review the printed information right away to make sure there are no errors. If
there are any spelling errors, contact the embassy or consulate promptly.
Sealed Immigrant Packet - You will also receive a sealed packet containing
documents that you must present to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a portof-entry (often an airport) upon your arrival in the United States. You must not open
the sealed packet.
When You Should Travel - You must arrive and apply for admission in the United
States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa
is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical
examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six
months.
USCIS Immigrant Fee - You must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) after you receive your immigrant visa and before
you travel to the United States. Only children who enter the United States under the
Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning
residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are exempt from this fee. Select USCIS
Immigrant Fee on the USCIS website for more information. Important Notice: USCIS
will not issue a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 or Green Card) until you have
paid the fee.
Vaccination Records - Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they
can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, it is recommended that your
child have complete vaccination records before immigrating. Learn about
vaccination requirements by state on the Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website under State
Vaccination Requirements.

X-rays Must be hand-carried with you, not packed in your luggage.

AFTER INTERVIEW

Entering the United States

When traveling to the United States, the primary (or principal) applicant must enter
before or at the same time as family members with visas. With your immigrant visa
(before it expires), and sealed packet, you will travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (often an
airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not
guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to grant or deny
admission. Learn about admission and entry requirements on the CBP website under
Travel. When you are admitted, you will enter as a Lawful Permanent Resident, also
called a green card holder, and will be permitted to work and live permanently in
the United States.

When You are a Permanent Resident - Coming to the United States to live
permanently, you will want to learn more about your status as a Lawful Permanent
Resident. See Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants to review
information on the USCIS website about living in the United States.

Social Security Number To learn about the U.S. Social Security Administration
benefits available to Legal Permanent Residents, and how to apply for a social
security number card, visit the Social Security Administration website.
About Visa Denials
In some situations the consular officer does not have sufficient information needed
to process your application to conclusion, or you may be missing some supporting
documentation. The consular officer will inform you if information or documents are
missing and how to provide it.
Some applications may require additional administrative processing after the
interview before the application can be processed to conclusion. The consular
officer will inform you if additional administrative processing is necessary.
Based on U.S. law, not everyone who applies is qualified or eligible for a visa to
come to the United States. Under U.S. law, many factors could make an applicant
ineligible to receive a visa. See Ineligibilities for U.S. Visas. In some instances, the
law might allow you to apply for a waiver or the ineligibility. If you are able to apply
for such a waiver, the consular will advise you on the steps to take.