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

After you receive your visa interview appointment, you must complete each of these steps below.  If you do not complete each step before your visa interview appointment the consular section may require you to reschedule for a later date.

All applicants must follow the instructions below before you go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Step 1: Register Online

Before your visa interview appointment, you must register online here. 

Your registration ensures we have the correct information to return your passport and documents after your visa interview.  Registration also allows you to cancel or reschedule your interview if necessary. 

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Qatar

As soon as you receive your appointment date, make sure you schedule a medical exam in Qatar. Click the Medical Exam Instructions button (below) for a list of designated doctors’ offices.

Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors 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 interview. We created a checklist that tells you what to bring. Click this Pre-Interview Checklist button. Print the Checklist, complete it and bring it to your interview with the required original documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about special actions you must take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

Everyone applying for an immigrant visa, no matter how old they are, must have a medical exam before they get their visa. Only a physician approved by the U.S. Embassy is allowed to do this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the clinics listed below before your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy.

Medical exam results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved clinic

Doha Clinic
Al-Mirqab Street
Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4438 4333

Aster Healthcare
C Ring Road
Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 7479 9339

Turkish Hospital
C Ring Road
Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 7147 5840

Items to bring to your medical examination

Bring these items to your medical exam:

1. Your visa interview letter
2. Your passport
3. Two (2) recently taken passport-sized color photographs
4. A printed copy of the Medical Letter
5. A copy of your immunization records
6. DS-260 confirmation page

You must pay all medical examination fees (including x-ray and blood test fees) directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include:

1. A medical history review 
2. A physical examination
3. A chest X-ray 
4. A gonorrhea test
5. Blood tests (for applicants ages 15 years and older)
6. The United States requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants ages two years and older
7. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. 

Note: U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations before a visa will be issued.  Immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on the Centers for Disease Control website. 

More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements online at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

1. When your examination is finished, the doctor will either give you the exam results in two (2) sealed envelopes or send them directly to the U.S. Embassy. 
2. If the doctor gives you the sealed envelopes to carry to your interview: DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPES. Keep them sealed and bring them to your visa interview.
3. 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 (TB). Note: However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. 
4. IMPORTANT: The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview checklist

Use the list that follows to learn the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview.

Every document that is not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.  

A copy of your NVC interview letter (This does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoption, or asylee/refugee applicants).

Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months after the date you plan to enter the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located). Also, bring any previous passports you used to travel to the United States with previously issued U.S. visas.

Two (2) recent color photographs of every person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm). 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, with an English translation, and a photocopy. (Qatari certificates are only available to people those born after 1969.)

Medical examination results in sealed envelopes (if the physician gives them to you).

Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all of the principal applicant’s children. (Bring the birth certificates even if that child is not going with you.)

Applicants who are in any category listed in italics below must bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:  

The correct Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor with: 

1. A  photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return and 
2. All related IRS Form W-2s 

Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States. (For example, a 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, with an English translation, and a photocopy. (Qatari certificates are only available for Muslims married after 1957. They are not available to Christians.)

If you were previously married: Your original divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate, with an English translation, and a photocopy. 

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from the country where you live now, and countries where you previously lived. 

Note: If all three of these items are true, you must get a more recent police certificate and bring it to the interview:

1. You are older than 16 years
2. You obtained a police certificate and submitted it to NVC more than two years 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 issued and dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, with English translations and photocopies.

If you served in the military of any country: Military records (Qatari military card) with English translations and photocopies.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, with English translations and photocopies.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, with an English translation and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent (with English translations and photocopies.

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Doha

If the U.S. Embassy needs more information or documentation from you, the consular officer will give you instructions about how to submit them to the embassy.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you cannot attend your appointment, contact us through visa navigator https://qa.usembassy.gov/visas-navigator/

1. There may be a long wait before the next available appointment, so please try to attend the original interview date scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).
2. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa may become available within the month you are scheduled by NVC.
3. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview.
4. DV applicants should be aware that the number of visas is limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.
5. Carefully review the Visa Bulletin before you ask to reschedule your interview.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Doha must follow the security procedures. Visitors who refuse to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel cannot enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and those in line behind you, bring only what is required for your interview. Please do not arrive earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment. You cannot enter the embassy any earlier.

Accompanying persons

Attorneys cannot accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Only these people may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

1. Interpreter: Applicants who do not speak English or Arabic well enough to participate in an interview may bring ONE interpreter.
2. Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to the National Visa Center, be prepared to pay them on the day of your interview. 

1. All fees may be paid in either U.S. Dollars or the Qatari Riyal equivalent. 
2. We only accept cash and credit cards. (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Novus/Discover, and Diners Card)
3. We cannot accept personal checks.
4. Please Note: If you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. 
5. A complete list of fees can be found on our Fees for Visa Services webpage.

Do not make travel plans outside of Qatar

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport later by courier services only. If you have to travel within Qatar while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport. 

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After Your Visa Interview

Consular officers can only make decisions on applications after they review the formal application and interview the applicant.

There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you receive your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes consular officers cannot make their decision on a visa application because they need to review additional documents or the case requires more administrative processing. 

When additional documents are requested: The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents or take certain actions. The letter will include instructions about sending those documents to the consulate.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the time it takes is different based on the circumstances of each case. Before you inquire about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview. 

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet: We will print your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. 

1. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. 
2. If you received a sealed envelope containing documents, you must give themto U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. 
3. Do NOT open this envelope. You must carry it with you. Do not put it in your checked luggage. 
4. 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: Everyone who is issued an immigrant visa 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 who do not have to pay this fee are: Children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, Other Afghan nationals (through Sept. 30, 2024) 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 up to six months from the date it is printed. 

1. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. 
2. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. 
3. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), children who are issued a visa before they turn 21 years old, must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

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

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives: Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. Check with the airline to make sure you follow their rules. 

Once your card is issued, do 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 must have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. 

1. Bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. 
2. If your child is adopted, if you have full custody because of a divorce, or if you share custody with another parent, bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custody papers from the court that has authority in your home country. 
3. 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 about 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. Make sure you schedule and attend a medical examination before your visa interview, and gather the required documents.

Additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants follow below.  

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants must also bring these items to their visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website.
• Documents that show you have either a qualifying high school education OR two (2) years of qualifying work experience during the five (5) years immediately before the application (This is only for the principal applicant.) More information is available online).
• Payment in cash or credit card of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each visa applicant.

Review your DV Lottery entry

Before your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. 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 or her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Also, 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 under the laws of your country. 

If you did not list an existing spouse or child at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery, your visa and visas for your family will be denied. 

All fees paid to the U.S. government for your visa application(s) cannot be refunded. 

If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse you were married to when you entered the lottery, do not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online.

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