Documents required for a Immigrant Visa Application if your I-130 was filed in the United States

(日本語)

As the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa petition, you may begin the process of applying for an immigrant visa. Once your case has been received from NVC, we will schedule an appointment for you to come to this office and notify you of the specified date by mail. All members of your family immigrating with you must appear with you on the appointment date. If you cannot keep the appointment, please notify this office at once.

Print out this page and check the boxes pertaining to your case.

Do not send anything to the Embassy. Bring your documents to the interview. Bring with you all of the documents pertinent to your case. Your applications will be refused if you fail to bring all required documentation. English translations of all foreign language documents are required. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct. The translator must certify that he/she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.

If you wish to retain an original document, you must bring a photocopy along with the original and we will be happy to return the original to you after the interview. You are strongly urged to personally keep a duplicate copy of all documents submitted in connection with your visa application. The Embassy does not provide copying services.

All applicants must present the following documents at the interview:
		Passport: Your passport must be valid at least 60 days beyond the validity date of the immigrant visa. It must allow residence in a foreign country. Each child 16 years or older who is included in his/her parents' passport but whose photograph does not appear in the passport must obtain his/her own passport. An immigrant visa is issued in the same name as in the applicant's passport. If your name changed due to marriage and you would like the visa to reflect the change, your passport must first be amended to include the new name. However, married woman is excepted and the passport does not need to be amended for an immigrant visa.
		Birth certificate : You will need one certified copy of the birth record or family register for each visa applicant. The certificate must contain the seal or signature of the official custodian of the record and also show that it is an extract from an official record. You must also submit birth certificates for all unmarried children under age 21, even if they are not applying for a visa.
		Marriage, Divorce, Death or Adoption Certificates: If applicable, applicants must present these documents, certified by the office of record, along with their English translations. All visa applications on behalf of adopted orphan children must also include a certified, irrevocable statement of release for adoption and emigration, written in the native language of and signed by the natural parents as well as any other intervening authority which had legal custody of the child.
		Application for Immigrant Visa : The beneficiary should complete Part 2 of form DS-230. Please do not sign this form.(download form DS-230.)
		Medical Examination : The U.S. Public Health Service requires all immigrant visa applicants to have a medical examination at designated facilities. We cannot accept exams completed by a physician in the United States or medical exams completed by the applicant's own physician. You may obtain the medical examination forms from the doctor of designated facilities.
		Police Certificate : Each visa applicant 16 years old and over must submit a certificate from the appropriate police authorities. This certificate should provide any information contained in police files concerning the applicant. All applicants must obtain a police certificate from their country of nationality, and the country of present residence if the applicant has resided there for six months or more. Applicants must also obtain police certificates from all countries where they resided for one year or more. For information on obtaining police records from other countries, please see this site. Police certificates are not required from the United States. U.S. Forces Japan Applicants: If you have lived on base for six months or more, you must submit an on-base security clearance as well as a Japanese police certificate, each covering the period from the applicant's 16th birthday. Some USFJ security offices may provide clearances covering both on-base and local Japanese police records. Other offices may cover on-base matters only and the applicant must also obtain the Japanese police certificate. Please consult the base security offices for specifics. Note: Japanese Police Certificates are sealed. If the seal is broken, the certificate is no longer valid. Do not open the certificate prior to submission to the Embassy/Consulate.
		Court and Prison Records : Applicants who have been in court or prison must present certified copies of each court or prison record along with a certified English translation. These records are required, even if an applicant was released or benefited from an amnesty, pardon or other act of clemency.
		Military Discharge Records: Must describe the nature of any military service an applicant has performed. Pre-WWII Japanese military records may be obtained through the Prefectural Government, Welfare Section, or through the Relief Agency, Ministry of Public Welfare. Records from the Japan Self Defense Forces are available from the unit commander.
		Front View Photos: Please submit two identical color 5cm x 5cm photo with a white background, taken within the last six months. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 25 to 35mm with the head centered in the frame facing straight ahead. All applicants must provide photos, regardless of age
		Self-Addressed, Pre-Paid Envelope (TOKYO ONLY): : All applicants must provide a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope so that we can return your passport and visa to you by mail. Processing and mailing time takes approximately one week, so please allow enough time before your intended date of departure. The "ExPack 500" can be purchased at convenience stores and post offices throughout Japan. Please note that all applicants must provide a local Japanese address. This includes members and dependents of the U.S. military, who must use their base's local address if no other local address is available.
Beneficiaries of family-sponsored petitions must also include:
		Proof of Relationship: Please provide all original documents used to establish the qualifying family relationship.
Beneficiaries of employment-based petitions must also include:
		Proof of Employment: Please provide a recent (i.e. less than 12 months old), notarized letter from the prospective employer confirming the essential elements of the job offer.
Before you come to the interview, please check here. Please consult the confirmation letter you received from the Embassy for your appointment date.