**[INFORMATION FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS]{.underline}**

**[(PACKET FOUR)]{.underline}**

**[Immigrant Visa Section, American Consulate, Chennai]{.underline}**

You have received a letter scheduling an appointment for you to come to
this office and formally apply for an immigrant visa. All members of
your family immigrating with you must appear with you for the
appointment. Each person immigrating, regardless of age, requires a
separate visa. If you cannot keep your visa appointment, please notify
this office at 044-2857-4242, Email: <ChennaiIV@state.gov> . **[If you
cannot keep your scheduled visa appointment, you will experience a
lengthy delay before another appointment can be granted.]{.underline}**

**BEFORE COMING FOR YOUR VISA INTERVIEW THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS SHOULD
BE PRESENTED AT YOUR NEAREST VFS OFFICE (A LIST OF OFFICES IS ENCLOSED).
VFS WILL GIVE YOU A RECEIPT FOR ALL DOCUMENTS LEFT WITH IT. AT THE TIME
YOU PRESENT YOUR DOCUMENTS YOU MUST ALSO PAY A COURIER FEE OF Rs. 394/-
BY CASH, PER APPLICANT.**

**ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRESENTED AT YOUR NEAREST VFS OFFICE (SEE
ATTACHED SHEET) [[NO EARLIER THAN FIFTEEN (15) WORKING DAYS AND NO LESS
THAN TEN (10) DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR INTERVIEW]{.mark}]{.underline} AT THE
CONSULATE. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS BY TEN WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO
YOUR APPOINTMENT MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF YOUR INTERVIEW DATE.**

If you wish, you may submit your documents at the Consulate on the day
of the visa interview, but [YOU MUST]{.underline} pay the courier
charges at a VFS office no earlier than fifteen (15) working days and no
less than ten (10) days prior to your interview at the Consulate. **You
are strongly urged to submit your documents to a VFS office at the same
time you pay the courier fee. Failure to submit all available documents
to VFS may result in a delay in the processing of your case.**

**Required documents should be presented in the following order for each
applicant. Please tick the boxes on the left side, to be sure that you
have collected all the documents for the interview.**

**[PASSPORT]{.underline}**: Each applicant's passport must be valid for
travel to the United States and must have at least six months validity
beyond the issuance date of the visa. The passport should reflect the
correct name and date of birth of the applicant. The visa is issued in
the name given in the applicant's passport. A female applicant does not
have to change her name to her married name. Those applicants whose
passports are issued in their maiden names will have their visas issued
in their maiden names. Applicants should bring all current and
former/expired passports with them to the Consulate at the time of their
interview. **[PLEASE NOTE: A photocopy of the biographic pages of your
passport must be presented to the VFS office; on the day of interview
you must bring you original passport to the U.S.
Consulate.]{.underline}**

**[PHOTOS]{.underline}**: Please staple one photograph in the square on
the left hand side of form DS 230 Part I. **[See attached
sheet.]{.underline}**

**[BIOGRAPHIC DATA FORM]{.underline}**: The DS 230 Part I and II have to
be completed for each applicant. When completing the form please include
all names ever used by each applicant. Married women must be sure to
include their full name as used before marriage, after marriage, and any
other aliases. Please use the exact spelling and name order indicated in
each applicant's passport.

**[Please do not sign Form DS-230 Part II; you will be requested to sign
this form during the visa interview]{.underline}**. Please note if an
applicant is below 14 years of age appearing for an interview without
parents, he/she should have a notarized letter from both parents
indicating the name of the guardian and that he/she (legal guardian) is
authorized to sign the form and is allowed by the parents to appear for
the interview with the applicant. The legal guardian must present photo
identification such as passport, driving license or election card.

**[BIRTH CERTIFICATE]{.underline}**: **[Original and
photocopy]{.underline}**. Each applicant must submit an original and a
clear photocopy of his/her birth certificate. The certificate should
include the applicant's name, date and place of birth, the names of both
parents, and the seal of the issuing office, i.e. the municipal
authorities. If your name is not mentioned in the birth certificate and
if any details are missing in the birth certificate or if there is a
discrepancy regarding your date of birth or name, submit the certificate
along with secondary evidence.

Secondary evidence can be a baptismal certificate, an adoption decree, a
school record, a notarized affidavit from a close relative, a neighbor
or friend who was present at the time of your birth on the appropriate
stamp paper, which must be sworn before a First Class Magistrate. The
person making this affidavit must state how he/she knows your family and
how he/she knows the facts of your birth. **[Secondary evidence must
have your name, date and place of birth; names of both parents; and the
seal of the issuing office.]{.underline}**

If your birth was not recorded, please submit a "no record of birth
registration" letter from the relevant municipality along with secondary
evidence and if your birth record has been destroyed or the municipality
authorities will not issue one, submit a letter from the municipality
stating so along with secondary evidence. (See preceding paragraph for
definition of "secondary evidence.")

**Note: If any of these documents were issued in a regional language, a
notarized English translation is required in addition to the original.**

**[MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE]{.underline}**: Any applicant who has ever been
married must provide an **[original and a clear photocopy]{.underline}**
of the marriage certificate(s) for all marriages. Persons who married
before 1955 must attempt to register their marriage. Failing this, they
must submit affidavits on appropriate stamp paper sworn before a First
Class Magistrate indicating the names of the bride and groom, the date
and place of the marriage ceremony. Persons married in 1955 and later
must submit a marriage registration certificate. Certificates issued by
the appropriate authorities are acceptable if they are legally valid in
India. **If any of these documents were issued in a local language, a
notarized English translation is required in addition to the original.**
If you and your spouse are applying for visas, you should submit an
original and two clear photocopies of each certificate.

**[TERMINATION OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE]{.underline}**: All applicants who
have divorced or whose spouses have died must provide an **[original and
a clear photocopy]{.underline}** of proof of the legal termination of
all previous marriages (death certificate of spouse, divorce decree).
Divorce between Hindus and Christians must be documented by a court
order. A certificate from the Kazi or the head of the Jammat must
document divorce between Muslims. If any of these documents were issued
in a local language, a notarized English translation is required [in
addition to the original]{.underline}.

**[PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP]{.underline}**: We strongly suggest that all
applicants bring extensive documentary evidence of the relationship
between the petitioner and the primary beneficiary and between the
primary beneficiary and any derivative beneficiaries. **Failure to do so
could greatly delay your application while your application is
investigated.** Some examples of such evidence are family and other
photographs (old and recent) showing the parties together, letters,
cards, correspondence, and telephone records.

**For Spouses of U.S. Citizens (IR1, CR, and K3 visas), spouse of Legal
Permanent Residents (F21 and V1 visas) and Spouses of Family Based Visa
Applicants (F3 and F4 visas)**

**Primary**: Marriage registration certificates issued by a recognized
governing authority at the time of the marriage. Proof of termination of
any previous marriage must also be submitted (e.g. death certificate of
former spouse, final decree of divorcee or annulment). For Muslim
marriages, please submit a registration certificate from the Wakf Board
of the area in which the marriage took place. For Christian, marriages
please provide a church-issued marriage certificate.

**Secondary:** Wedding invitations, wedding photographs or other
reliable documents that show the required relationship. For proof of an
ongoing relationship, please submit such evidence as cards, letters,
e-mails, photographs, phone records and other evidence that your
relationship is continual.

**For children (IR2, IR3, F1, F24, F3 and F4 visas) and Parents (IR5
visas) of the U.S. Citizens, children of Family Based Visa Applicants
(F3 and F4 visas) and Children of Fiancé (e) visa applicants (K2
visas):**

**Primary**: Old Indian passports, birth registrations issued within one
year of the birth

**Secondary:** Secondary school leaving certificates, old ration cards,
old baptismal certificates, old family documents such as land transfers
and wills, original wedding invitations, college degree certificates,
mark sheets, property certificates, family photos or other reliable
documents which show the required relationship.

**For Brother or Sister of a U.S. Citizen (F4 visas):**

**Primary**: Old Indian passports, birth registrations issued within one
year of the birth

**Secondary:** Secondary school leaving certificates, old ration cards,
old baptismal certificates, old family documents such as land transfers
and wills, original wedding invitations, college degree certificates,
mark sheets, property certificates, family photos or other reliable
documents which show the required relationship.

**Note:** The documents of both the petitioner and beneficiary must show
parents(s) name(s) to be considered in the connection with the immigrant
visa application.

**[POLICE REPORT]{.underline}**: Each applicant aged 16 years and older
must submit a police certificate that includes information regarding the
applicant including all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s) and the
disposition of each case(s). **(A)** Indian citizens residing in India
for six months or more since turning 16 years of age must present Indian
police clearance certificates from both their district police

station and the local area passport office. Applicants whose passports
were issued within six months of the visa interview may present just the
passport office certificate. These certificates are valid for one year
from the date of issuance. **(B)** If an Indian citizen who has lived in
India for at least one year after the age of 16 currently resides
outside India, he/she must obtain a certificate issued by the Indian
Consulate or Consulate where he/she lives. These certificates are valid
for only one year from the date of issuance.

**(C)** **[Foreign police certificates]{.underline}:** Applicants who
have resided in any other country for one year or more after the age of
16 may also be required to submit police certificates for these
countries. Applicants may inquire of our Immigrant Visa Unit regarding
police certificates for these countries, telephone number:
044-2857-4242, Email: <ChennaiIV@state.gov> . You may also check in the
visa reciprocity tables on the website
<http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm> for information on
how to obtain a police clearance from a particular country. U.S. police
certificates are not required for applicants who have lived in the
U.S.A. Non-Indian immigrant visa applicants residing in India should
obtain police certificates from the district police station serving
their area of residence.

**[DEPORTATION:]{.underline}** Any applicant who has been deported from
the United States must submit all documents relating to the matter.

**[PRISON RECORDS:]{.underline}** Applicants who have been convicted of
a crime must submit court records, prison records, records regarding the
disposition of the case and any additional information regarding the
crime, regardless of the fact that he/she may have subsequently
benefited from an amnesty, pardon or other act of clemency.

**[MILITARY RECORDS:]{.underline}** A certified copy of any military
record is required. The record should contain a complete record of the
applicant's service and conduct while in service. It must show any
conviction of crime before a military tribunal. A discharge certificate
is required upon discharge, retirement, or resignation from military
service.

**[AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT:]{.underline}**

Applicants should check with their sponsor to see if form I-864 has
already been submitted to the National Visa Center (NVC). If so, it is
not necessary to submit another I-864.

> **A) [Immediate relative and family preference category]{.underline}**
>
> Each immigrant visa applicant needs to satisfy the consular officer
> that he/she will not become a public charge. In all immediate
> relative, family preference, and employment-based applications (in
> which a close family member owns 5% or more of the petitioning
> business), the petitioner must submit a completed Affidavit of Support
> (Form I-864), no matter what his/her financial circumstances are, to
> show that the sponsored applicant(s) will not become a public charge.
>
> **i)** If form **[I-864 was not submitted to NVC]{.underline}** the
> applicant **[must]{.underline}** submit the following from the
> petitioner (sponsor):

a)  Form I-864.

b)  Evidence that the household member is a U.S.citizen /U.S. permanent
    resident if a form I-864A is submitted.

c)  Federal tax return (form 1040) with all W2s and supporting schedules
    for the **most recent taxable year**.

d)  If the petitioner did not file a tax return, then the petitioner
    must provide a written explanation of why he/she had no legal duty
    to file the return.

e)  If the petitioner filed a late or amended tax return, he/she should
    submit evidence of it.

f)  If the petitioner does not have copies of his/her tax returns, an
    Internal Revenue Service (IRS) summary should be submitted.

> **ii)** If the petitioner's income or assets do not exceed 125% of the
> federal poverty guidelines, then an I-864 of an additional sponsor
> willing to assume financial responsibility for the sponsored
> immigrant(s) must be submitted. This additional form I-864 must
> include all the supporting documentation indicated in section **(i)**
> above, as well as evidence that the Joint Sponsor is an American
> citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.
>
> **iii) If the additional sponsor lives in the same household as the
> petitioner, he/she is considered a household member, and cannot fill
> out a separate I-864.** The household member must execute an I-864A,
> as described below.
>
> **iv)** If a sponsor wishes to qualify using the income or assets of a
> spouse or resident of his/her home, in addition to the above documents
> he/she should also submit form I-864A for each additional contributor.
> The additional contributor should sign the form I-864A as the
> household member. Each household member should submit a form I-864A
> along with all the required documents outlined in paragraph **(ii).
> Please note sponsor must include household member income in part 4 of
> form I-864.**
>
> **v) (A)** Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient copies
> of the form I-864. Beneficiaries of immediate relative (IR) petitions
> must provide one original signed -864 and one complete set of original
> supporting documents. **(B)** Beneficiaries of family-preference (F)
> petitions must provide one original signed and notarized form
> I-864/I-864A for the principal applicant and one copy of I-864/I-864A
> for each family member, and one complete set of original supporting
> documents for the principal applicant. **(C)** If a dependent(s) will
> follow the principal alien to the United States at a later date each
> such dependent must submit an original signed I-864/ I-864A and a
> complete set of original supporting documents.

**B) [Employment preference category ]{.underline}**

> In employment preference visa categories a notarized offer of
> employment from the petitioner is required. If a relative has filed
> the visa petition as described in paragraph A) above, a form I-864 and
> all accompanying documents are required. For follow-to-join applicants
> in the employment preference visa categories, the principal applicant
> must submit a notarized affidavit of support (form I-134), a job
> letter or pay stubs, and forms 1040 and W2 for the latest taxable
> year.
>
> **C) [Returning resident (SB-1) and diversity visa (DV)
> applicants:]{.underline}**

A sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or LPR must provide a notarized
affidavit of support (form I-134), a job letter or pay stubs, forms 1040
and W2 for the most recent taxable year and proof of U.S. citizenship or
permanent resident status.

**[MEDICAL REPORT]{.underline}**: Medical report from one of the
Consulate's panels physicians for each applicant. See enclosed list of
physicians. **Please Note:** Reports can be submitted at Consulate on
the day of your immigrant visa interview.

**[FOLLOWING TO JOIN APPLICANT]{.underline}**

When a family member of the principal applicant (the person for whom a
petition has been filed by a relative in the United States) intends to
stay in India longer than the principal applicant and immigrate to the
United States at a later date, some additional documents are required.
Each of the items listed below is needed for each child less than 21
years who will be following to join the principal applicant later:

1\. Original and photocopy of birth certificate.

2\. A passport size photograph.

3\. Passport or some photo identification such as driving license.

**[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION]{.underline}**

**[FEES:]{.underline}** Currently there is an immigrant visa fee of USD
\$355 and a USD \$45 visa surcharge fee for a total of USD \$400 for
each applicant. Only fees that have not been collected by the National
Visa Center will be paid at our office. Visa fees are not refundable;
they must be paid through a rupee bank draft drawn on a nationalized or
foreign bank. The bank drafts must be in Indian Rupees, issued in the
name of "American Consulate General, Chennai," and should be payable in
Chennai. As the rate of exchange may change, we recommend that
applicants check the current consular exchange rate at
<http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/iv_fees.html> or contact the Consulate
ahead of their interview to obtain the current consular rate of
exchange. At present, each applicant must have paid the total Immigrant
Visa Fee of Rs. 20,000/- (USD \$400). If applicants still have to pay
the surcharge, they can pay Rs. 2,250/- (USD \$45) by single demand
draft for each applicant. Our current rate of exchange is USD \$1.00 =
Rs. 50/-. This exchange rate is subject to change without notice.
**Note:** The above fees are separate from the fee charged when an
immigrant visa petition, form I-130 or form I-140, is filed.

Applicants arriving at the Visa Section will be interviewed and given an
oath by a consular officer. Their documents will be reviewed, and they
will be advised of the outcome of their applications. The Consular
Section is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and American and Indian holidays.
Due to the volume of applicants, this process may takes most of the day.
The waiting room is air-conditioned, has toilets, and is a no-smoking
area. For security reasons, no electronic devices, travel bags,
briefcases, cosmetics, food items, bottles or sealed envelopes are
permitted inside the Consulate. (*Infant feeding bottles and baby food
are allowed*.) This list is not definitive; other items may be
prohibited at the discretion of the security staff. Please arrange for
storage of prohibited items before you arrive at the Consulate, as the
Consulate maintains no storage facility.

**[NO ASSURANCE THAT VISA WILL BE ISSUED:]{.underline}** No assurance
can be given in advance that a visa will be issued. A consular officer
can make a decision only after your visa application and all documents
are reviewed, and you have been personally interviewed. You are advised
not to make any travel arrangements, and not to dispose of your property
or give up your job until the visa has been issued. If your visa
application is refused, you will be given a refusal sheet that will
indicate the basis for your refusal.  If applicable, it will tell you
what actions you could take to overcome the refusal. The visas are
affixed inside each passport and the applicant is given a sealed
envelope which should be hand carried, UNOPENED, to the United States
and submitted to the immigration inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry.
**[If the sealed envelope is opened prior to arrival in the United
States, the immigrant visa fee of \$400 (Rs.20,000) must be paid again
at the American Consulate, Chennai, and a new sealed envelope will be
handed over to the applicant.]{.underline}**

**[VISA VALIDITY:]{.underline}** An immigrant visa is valid for a
maximum period of six months from the date of issuance.  You must travel
and apply for admission to the United States within that six-month
period. A visa may not be transferred from one person to another, or
used by any person other than the one to whom issued.

**[ABANDONED APPLICATIONS:]{.underline}** Section 203(e) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act requires that an intending immigrant
pursue his/her visa application within one year from the date he/she is
informed that it is possible to do so. This is our notice to you that it
is now possible for you to pursue your application for a visa. If you
fail to do so within one year from the date of the attached letter, your
application and any visa petition approved for you will be canceled.

**[AGE 21 NOTICE:]{.underline}** If you or any other members of your
family planning to immigrate is turning 21 years of age within the next
three months, this may change your or family member's visa status. Under
U.S. immigration law you may be considered an adult rather than a child.
Please consult with the Consular Section if this will be an issue in
your family\'s immigrant visa applications. 

**[INFORMATION SOURCES]{.underline}**

For information on Immigrant visas call: 044-2857-4242.

For additional visa information: the Consulate homepage:
<http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/>

For copies of the I-864 affidavit of support or other information:
<http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem>

Bureau of Consular Affairs Autofax Service: 202-647-3000

Bureau of Consular Affairs:
[www.travel.state.gov](http://216.33.240.250:80/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=a114c4bd2ad623c9d1e8121d460a5170&lat=1035087792&hm___action=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.state%2Fgov%2Fvisaservices.html)
or [www.immigration.gov](http://www.immigration.gov/)

Enclosures:

\* VFS Office Locations

\* Domicile Information Sheet

\* Poverty Guidelines

\* Photo Instructions

\* Instructions for Medical Examination

\* Social Security Information Sheet

\* DS 230 Part I and II

**[[This information sheet is provided free of charge by the Immigrant
Visa Unit, American Consulate General, Chennai.]{.underline}]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

**[[Please note that any false statement or concealment of a material
fact may result in your permanent exclusion from the United
States.]{.underline}]{.mark}**