The Interview

Once the National Visa Center (NVC) has finished processing your case, you will receive a notice that your case has been sent to the U.S. Embassy Bangkok’s Immigrant Visa (IV) unit.  This transfer will take approximately three weeks.  Please refrain from sending inquiries to the Embassy during that time, as we will not be able to provide any detailed information about your case before it is received.

Upon receiving the visa beneficiary’s file from NVC, the Embassy Bangkok’s IV unit will email visa instructions to the beneficiary with instructions how to schedule an interview. The instructions can be found on our website at this link or on the scheduling website for review and advanced preparation. However, beneficiaries may not schedule appointments until the U.S. Embassy Bangkok IV unit sends an email with instructions. If you make an appointment before the IV unit is ready, your appointment will be canceled.

Due to the individual nature of such cases, it is not possible to send instructions or allow an appointment to be scheduled until the Immigrant Visa unit receives the visa applicant’s file from NVC.  If the Visa Status Check website says your case is was transferred to U.S. Bangkok’s IV unit and you have not received instruction by email within a three week period, you may email the IV unit at visasbkk@state.gov to request a status update.

Important Notes:

  • Applications incomplete at the time of the visa interview will result in a minimum 10 -15 business day delay in adjudication of your application. Administrative processing required for incomplete applications and other reviews in individual cases may require more time depending on the nature of the review. You are strongly advised to have all required documents at the time of your visa interview.
  • Please be on time for your appointment. Appointments for applicants arriving late may be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.
  • If your medical examination report will not be completed by the time of your interview, please contact the IV unit at visasbkk@state.gov as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
  • A decision about a visa application cannot be made until an applicant formally applies and is interviewed. Therefore, applicants should NOT make any travel plans, quit their jobs, sell property, or take any other action contingent upon the issuance of an immigrant visa until the applicant has physically received his/her passport and U.S. immigrant visa.
  • Petitioners are not permitted to attend the interview. Applicants should be familiar with all of the documents they are presenting at the interview, and be able to provide the consular officer with all requested information. An exception is made for immigrant visa applications under the age of 18 who may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.