You will visit the embassy at least twice during the immigrant visa process. The first visit is for document review, and the second is for your visa interview.

First Visit: Document Review

Your first visit to the embassy is for document review. We will ensure you have the required documents, collect your fingerprints, accept your photos, and verify your passport information. This visit will give you an opportunity to retrieve any missing documents ahead of your visa interview to avoid delays in processing your application.

You do not need to schedule an appointment for document review. You will be assigned an appointment when you attend your medical exam with an authorized Panel Physician.

Second Visit: Visa Interview

Your second visit to the embassy is for your visa interview. The visa interview will occur on the date and time scheduled for you by the National Visa Center (NVC). If you do not complete document review before your visa interview, you may need to reschedule your appointment.

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You must create an account online with our customer service provider at https://www.usvisaappt.com/visaapplicantui/login. Creating an account online gives us the information we need to return your passport and documents to you after your interview.

If you need to reschedule your visa appointment, you may only do so after creating your online account. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after the initial appointment assigned to you by NVC. 

Register >>

Step 2: Schedule a medical exam

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” link below for a list of designated doctors’ offices. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors at least three weeks before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your document review and visa interview appointments. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your document review and interview appointments along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below at least three (3) weeks before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical exam results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Important: All applicants may attend a medical exam with one of the approved physicians in Senegal. Applicants residing in Guinea or The Gambia may attend a medical exam with one the approved physicians in their country of residence or one of the approved physicians in Senegal.

Approved Physicians:

Senegal

Dr. Hassan Bahsoun
Clinique Casahous
Rue de Thiong
Dakar
Tel: (221) 33 821 36 14

Dr. Rakieh El Hadi
57, Rue Dr. Thèze
Dakar
Tel: (221) 33 822 2321

Guinea

Dr. Ben Baba
Clinique Pasteur
4ème/5ème Avenue & Blvd
B.P. 1435
Conakry
Tel: +224 628 21 2876
Mobile: +224 664 28 9121

Dr. Aminata Wague
Dr. Thierno Mamadou Barry
International Organization for Migration
Rue DI-009 de la Cour Suprême, Immeuble Résidence Louis Honore
Camayenne, Commune de Dixinn, Conakry
Tel: +224 611 000 093

The Gambia

Dr. Ayo Palmer
Westfield Clinic
54 Kombo Sillah Highway
Kanifing
Tel: +220 439 2213
Mobile: +220 367 9305

Items to bring to your medical examination

You should bring the following items to your medical exam:

• Your visa interview letter
• Your passport
• Ten (10) recently taken passport-sized color photographs
• A copy of your immunization records
• Information about any prescription medication you are taking
• DS-260 confirmation page

You must pay all medical examination fees, including X-ray and blood test fees, directly to the examining physician. Please contact the physician for current fees. Please allow at least 21 days to complete the medical examination process from start to finish.

During the medical exam

The medical exam will include:

• A medical history review,
• A physical exam,
• A chest X-ray,
• Blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older),
• Gonorrhea testing (for applicants 18–24 years of age, or as needed)
• Tuberculosis testing (for applicants two years of age and older).

Your physician may request other tests as needed. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, the medications you are taking, and the current treatments you are receiving. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to get certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov. There you can find information on what vaccines you need based on your age. You can also read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about our medical exam requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your exam is completed, the doctor will either provide you with the results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to the embassy. 

If you receive a sealed envelope, do not open it. Instead bring the sealed envelope to your visa interview. 

Any X-rays taken will be given to you. You do not need to bring the X-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis. However, you must carry the X-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. 

The medical report must be less than six (6) months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant. 

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview. Any documents that are not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified English translation:

Items every applicant must bring to the immgirant visa interview:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
  
  
• Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements.

• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
  
  
• Your original birth certificate and a photocopy.
  
  
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
  
  
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying)

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

• For family-based visa applications:
  
  
• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, any relevant W-2s, and proof of U.S. citizenship of legal permanent residence.
  
  
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  
  
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).
  
  
• If you are married: Your original marriage certificate and a photocopy.
  
  
• If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, and a photocopy.
  
  
• If you are under 14 years of age: An original power of attorney signed by the petitioner. The power of attorney must be notarized and contain either the passport number or national ID number of the visa applicant.
  
  
• If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:
  

1.  You are older than 16 years;
2.  You obtained a police certificate and submitted it to NVC more than one year ago; and
3.  You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

• For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.
  
  
• If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, and a photocopy.
  
  
• If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy.
  
  
• If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, and a photocopy.
  
  
• If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Dakar

Please do not send any original documents to us. You may bring original documents (plus a photocopy for the embassy’s files) to your visa interview.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your interview, you may reschedule at https://www.usvisaappt.com/visaapplicantui/login. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so attempt to attend the date already assigned.

You must register online with our customer service provider (see Step 1) before rescheduling. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after the initial interview appointment date assigned to you by NVC.

There’s no guarantee that a visa will still be available if you reschedule your appointment. Check the Visa Bulletin carefully before you reschedule your interview. If you’re applying for a Diversity Visa (DV), remember that visas are limited in number and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy Dakar must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. If you leave items in your car, be sure to put them in the trunk and lock your car; do not leave any personal items in view in the passenger compartment.

Accompanying people

The following people may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or French well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special needs visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
• Petitioner: If the petitioner is physically present with the applicant at the time of the interview, they may accompany the applicant inside the waiting room.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website (for K-1 visa applicants only) be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview.

All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars. We accept cash only. If you are found ineligible to receive a visa we cannot refund the application fee. You can find a complete list of fees at travel.state.gov.

Do not make travel plans outside of Senegal

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the U.S. Embassy while we print the visa. We will alert you via SMS and email when your passport is ready to be picked up at the DHL office in Dakar (see Step 1 for information about the required online registration for this service). If you must travel while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid photo ID other than your passport.

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can only decide on a visa application after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not quit your job, sell your property, or make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer cannot decide on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or because the case requires more administrative processing.

Additional documents:

• The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents.
• The letter will include instructions on how to submit those documents to the embassy.

Administrative processing:

• This means the consulate needs more time to review your case.
• The amount of time this takes depends on your specific situation.

Wait at least 60 days after your interview before asking about your application status.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet –We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors.

If you provided original documents and did not upload documents online, we will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you. Do not put it in your checked luggage.

If you uploaded your documents through the DS-260 application, you will not receive an envelope with your passport and visa.

If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an immigrant fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague process, returning residents, and people traveling on a fiancé(e) (K) visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of your medical exam but can vary based on the medical exam results. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are non-refundable.

The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21^st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States.

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are following their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custody papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

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Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Schedule and attend a medical exam prior to your visa interview and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website.
  
  
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the five (5) years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available at travel.state.gov).
  
  
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each visa applicant.

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements at travel.state.gov.

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