(U) Pre-Interview Processing
(CT:VISA-1926; 02-26-2024)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO)
9 fam 504.5-1 (U) statutory and regulatory Authorities
9 FAM 504.5-1(A) (U) Immigration and Nationality Act
(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
INA 222(b) (8 U.S.C. 1202(b)); INA 222(e) (8 U.S.C. 1202(e)).
9 FAM 504.5-1(B) (U) Code of Federal Regulations
(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
22 CFR 42.62; 22 CFR 42.6.
9 FAM 504.5-1(C) (U) Public Law
(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
Public Law 106-113, sec. 237.
9 FAM 504.5-2 (U) Overview - Preparing for Appointment with Applicant
(CT:VISA-1325; 07-23-2021)
a. (U) When appearing at the appointed time for the formal visa appointment, an applicant is entitled to receive prompt attention. The post should pull and review the appointment list and case files prior to the appointment date.
b. (U) Send unclassified material to the document checker for review. You must review classified material.
9 FAM 504.5-3 (U) Prescreening by Locally Engaged Staff (LE STAFF)
9 FAM 504.5-3(A) (U) Initial Duties of Document Checker
(CT:VISA-1926; 02-26-2024)
a. (U) When the applicant presents the documents, post must check the documents for completeness and legibility. The document checker should ensure each question on Form DS-260, Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, has been answered. If Form DS-260 is incomplete, the document checker must reopen the application via the “Reopen DS-260” button at the top of the online IV application report and direct the applicant to log back into the Consular Electronic Application Center, complete the missing information, and resubmit the Form DS-260.
b. (U) Correcting a DS-260: If any answers on Form DS-260 need correction or amplification, you can make the corrections using the “Add Remarks” function associated with the section of the application that needs correction.
(1) (U) Minor Errors: Post may correct minor errors (including minor discrepancies in name spellings if NIV and IVO are correct) in the DS-260 by making a remark directly in CEAC. IV applications are made under oath therefore the interviewing officer must verbally point out errors, explain any modifications consular staff made via remarks, and ask the applicant to swear to the entire DS-260, (or DS-160 in the case of a K visa), including those modifications. However, for any major changes, an officer or LE staff must reopen the DS-260 so the applicant can make necessary corrections.
(2) (U) Major Errors: Fields that are material to adjudication are considered major and must be completed by the applicant.
(a) Unavailable
(b) Unavailable
(c) Unavailable
9 FAM 504.5-3(B) (U) Photograph Requirements
(CT:VISA-397; 07-14-2017)
a. (U) Need for Good Quality Photographs: One of the most common problems the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) encounters with IV packets is a poor-quality photograph. The IV photograph is a crucial item—ultimately it will become the image on the bearer's "green card." Posts should ensure that photographs are in accordance with these instructions, as well as the instructions on photographs found in paragraph b below.
b. (U) In the rush to process cases quickly, you may be tempted to accept substandard photos rather than refusing the applicants until they bring in new ones. However, in the long run, those applicants will be better served if posts require them to retake poor quality photos. The applicants will ultimately be spared the time and trouble of having to repeat the process in DHS secondary inspection at the port of entry (POE), or having their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, questioned at some future point because of the poor-quality photo.
c. (U) See 9 FAM 303.6-2(A)(1) for guidance on photo standards.
9 FAM 504.5-3(C) (U) Paying Processing Fee
(CT:VISA-1926; 02-26-2024)
a. (U) Once the case is documentarily complete and Form DS-260 is complete, ensure that the applicant has paid the processing fee. The applicant must pay before the interview. In situations described in 9 FAM 504.6-5(B), the cashier must not collect a new processing fee. After the fee has been paid, you can interview the applicant.
b. (U) Most cases are processed through the National Visa Center (NVC) and the processing fee will have already been collected in the United States before the case was forwarded to post. For paper IVIS cases, NVC's Post Supplement Report, included in the file of cases scheduled by the NVC, will indicate whether the fee has been paid. If the Post Supplement Report is unavailable, post can determine if the fee has been paid using the IVIS Beneficiary Report in the CCD. Post can also review the fee payment details for PIVOT cases in the IVO case notes once loaded into the system. If there are any questions about whether a fee was paid while a case was at the NVC, post should email NVCPost@state.gov.
9 FAM 504.5-4 (U) Inspection of Original Document and Endorsement of Certified or Mechanically Reproduced Copies
(CT:VISA-1325; 07-23-2021)
(U) When an applicant presents a mechanically reproduced copy of any of the required documents listed under 22 CFR 42.65(b), it is important that consular section personnel inspect the original document. For paper files, after inspection, the consular section must endorse the paper copy with a rubber stamp that imprints the name of the post and the fact that the original has been seen and compared. When copies of these required documents have been uploaded electronically into a consular system (for MIV cases), the consular section personnel will check the box in the system that indicates that the original was seen and compared. This procedure does not constitute a certification within the meaning of Item 47 of the Tariff of Fees, since neither the full signature of a consular officer nor the official seal of the post is used or required. This service is performed without fee, whether on public documents required under INA 222(b) or on documents submitted in support of Form ETA-9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification. See 9 FAM 504.1-3 paragraph (d) for additional guidance on the verification of documents by a consular officer.