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DS-260 Checklist: Immigrant Visa Application Requirements

Immigration Attorney and Consular Processing Resource

Prepare the DS-260 immigrant visa application with our document checklist. The DS-260 is the online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application filed through CEAC after the National Visa Center (NVC) creates a case—typically following an approved I-130, I-140, I-526, or similar petition. This checklist helps immigration attorneys, consular processors, and applicants gather civil documents, police certificates, passport data, the affidavit of support, and medical exam evidence before starting the form. Completing DS-260 is a core step in consular processing (the overseas path to a green card, as opposed to adjustment of status on Form I-485). Confirm current NVC and Department of State instructions. Not legal advice.

DS-260 Checklist: Immigrant Visa Application Requirements form template preview

Key Benefits

Prepare civil documents before starting DS-260
Cover NVC fee bills, I-864, and police certificates
Match names and dates to the passport and petition
Reduce CEAC errors and interview delays
Know what to bring to the immigrant visa interview
Professional consular processing workflow

Common Use Cases

Family-based immigrant visa applicants after an approved I-130Employment-based applicants after an approved I-140EB-5 investors in consular processing after I-526Immigration attorneys preparing NVC and CEAC packetsParalegals assembling civil documents and police certificatesApplicants who cannot adjust status and must process abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DS-260 and when do I file it?
The DS-260 is the online immigrant visa application on the Department of State's CEAC site. You file it after NVC creates your case and you pay the required immigrant visa fee. Each applicant (including derivatives) generally completes a separate DS-260. Print the confirmation page for the interview.
How is DS-260 different from DS-160?
DS-160 is for most nonimmigrant (temporary) visas. DS-260 is for immigrant visas that lead to a green card after admission. The supporting documents differ: DS-260 typically requires civil documents, police certificates, and an affidavit of support, which DS-160 does not.
What documents does NVC usually require with DS-260?
Typical items include a valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, police certificates from countries of residence, military records if applicable, the I-864 affidavit of support for family cases, and passport-style photos. NVC's checklist in CEAC is controlling for your case.
When is the immigrant visa medical exam done?
The medical exam is done by a panel physician in the country of interview, usually after NVC is documentarily qualified and before or around the interview. Do not complete a U.S. civil surgeon I-693 for consular processing unless instructed. Keep vaccination records for the panel physician.

Checklist

NVC Process

NVC case number and invoice ID from the welcome letter or CEAC
Required

Needed to log into CEAC, pay fees, and complete DS-260. Each family member may have a case number.

Financial Requirements

Pay the immigrant visa application fee when billed in CEAC
Required

DS-260 is typically unlocked after the IV fee is paid. Check current fee amounts on travel.state.gov.

Form I-864 affidavit of support and sponsor financial evidence (family-based cases)

Required in most family immigrant visa cases. Employment-based cases may use a different support form.

Department of State Forms

Complete DS-260 (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application) in CEAC
Required

Answer consistently with the petition and civil documents. Print the confirmation page for the interview.

Identity Documents

Valid passport for each applicant
Required

Must be valid for travel. Enter names and dates exactly as they appear in the passport.

Passport-style photos meeting Department of State specifications
Required

Bring extras to the interview. Digital upload rules are in CEAC for your case.

Civil Documents

Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates as applicable
Required

Obtain from the civil authority in the country of event. NVC publishes country-specific document guidance.

Police certificates from countries of residence (as required for your country)
Required

Usually required for applicants 16 or older for each country of residence of 6 months or more. Check country rules.

Documentation

Certified English translations for documents not in English

Upload translations with the originals in CEAC when NVC requires English.

Interview Preparation

Print DS-260 confirmation page for the visa interview
Required

Required at the interview along with passport and original civil documents.