DV Visa Interview Documents: Complete Checklist for Green Card Lottery Winners
For a Diversity Visa (DV) interview, every applicant—including the principal selectee, spouse, and children—must bring the appointment confirmation, DS-260 confirmation page, a valid passport, two photos, original civil documents, required translations, and proof of education or qualifying work experience.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
Documents Every Applicant Must Bring
The following documents apply to the principal applicant and each family member applying for a visa. Bring original documents or certified copies, plus certified English translations when the original is not in English.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
| Document | Who needs it | What to bring | Official requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview appointment confirmation | Every applicant | Printed appointment information from Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website | Required at the interview. [travel.state] |
| DS-260 confirmation page | Every applicant | Printed confirmation page from CEAC after submitting Form DS-260 | Required for every DV applicant. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Valid passport | Every applicant | Original passport valid at least six months beyond the intended U.S. entry date | Required for each applicant. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Passport bio-page copy | Every applicant | Photocopy of the passport page showing photo, name, date and place of birth | Submitted to KCC and useful for the interview file. [travel.state] |
| Visa photographs | Every applicant | Two identical color photos meeting U.S. visa photo standards | Required for each applicant. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Birth certificate | Every applicant | Original long-form birth certificate showing date and place of birth and both parents’ names | Short-form certificates are not accepted. [travel.state] |
| Police certificate | Every applicant age 16 or older | Original police certificate(s) covering all required periods and places of residence | Must include arrests, reasons, and case outcomes where records exist. [travel.state] |
| Certified English translation | Applicant with non-English documents | Certified translation attached to the original or certified copy | Required for documents not in English. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Visa fee payment | Every applicant | Payment of the DV application fee, commonly $330 per applicant; confirm the embassy’s accepted payment method | Embassy-specific requirement. [travel.state][travel.state] |
Education or Work Experience
The principal DV applicant must prove either a high school education or its equivalent or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years. This requirement applies to the principal applicant, not to a spouse or child applying as a derivative.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
| If you qualify by… | Bring these documents |
|---|---|
| High school education | Diploma, transcript, certificate, or official evidence of an equivalent qualification. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Qualifying work experience | Detailed employment letters, job descriptions, contracts, pay records, or other credible proof of at least two years of qualifying experience in the five years before entry. [travel.state][travel.state] |
The work-experience option is limited to occupations that generally require at least two years of training or experience. The U.S. Department of State uses the Department of Labor’s O*NET database to assess qualifying occupations.[travel.state]
Marriage and Family Documents
If your spouse or children are included in the DV case, bring documents proving the family relationship. Marriage and prior-marriage documents must be original or certified copies.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
| Situation | Required documents |
|---|---|
| Married applicant | Original or certified marriage certificate with the issuing authority’s seal or stamp. [travel.state] |
| Spouse included in the case | Marriage certificate, spouse’s passport, photos, DS-260 confirmation, birth certificate, and police certificate if age 16 or older. [travel.state][travel.state][travel.state] |
| Previous marriage ended | Divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment document for every earlier marriage. [travel.state] |
| Children included | Birth certificates showing the child’s relationship to both parents. [travel.state] |
| Custody or adoption situation | Custody order, adoption decree, or other legal documentation proving the relationship and legal authority to take the child to the United States. [travel.state] |
Documents That May Be Required
Some applicants must provide additional evidence depending on their personal history, country of residence, or embassy procedures. The consular officer may also request missing information after the interview.[travel.state][travel.state]
| Situation | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Military service | Military records, discharge papers, or service records. [travel.state] |
| Criminal history | Court records, police records, and evidence of the final outcome of each case. [travel.state] |
| Previous U.S. visa or immigration case | Prior passports, U.S. visas, approval notices, deportation or removal records, and any relevant immigration paperwork. [travel.state] |
| Name difference | Marriage certificate, court order, affidavit, or other legal proof explaining the different spelling or name change. [travel.state] |
| Adoption | Final adoption decree and evidence that the adoption meets U.S. immigration requirements. [travel.state] |
| Medical examination | Medical exam results and vaccination records from an authorized panel physician; schedule this before the interview where required. [travel.state] |
Financial Sponsorship Documents
DV applicants are generally not required to bring an Affidavit of Support to the interview because DV applicants do not use Form I-864 in the same way as family-based immigrant visa applicants. The Department of State states that DV applicants do not need to bring the Affidavit of Support or financial evidence submitted to the National Visa Center.[travel.state]
However, some U.S. embassies may ask DV applicants to show that they will not become a public charge. In those cases, the embassy may request financial evidence such as bank statements, employment letters, sponsor documents, or other proof of financial support. Always follow the specific instructions on your interview appointment letter and the local U.S. embassy’s DV checklist.[travel.state][travel.state]
Documents You Should Not Forget
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Original civil documents | The embassy requires originals or certified copies; scanned copies alone are not enough. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Certified translations | Any document not in English must have a certified English translation. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Two photos per person | Every applicant, including children, needs two identical photos. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Passport validity | The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended entry date. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| DS-260 confirmation | The consular officer needs proof that the immigrant visa application was completed. [travel.state][travel.state] |
| Fee payment | The DV visa fee is paid per applicant; payment rules vary by embassy. [travel.state][travel.state] |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Bringing only photocopies instead of originals or certified copies.[travel.state][travel.state]
- Using a short-form birth certificate that does not show both parents’ names.[travel.state]
- Forgetting police certificates for every country where the applicant lived for the required period after age 16.[travel.state]
- Failing to bring certified English translations.[travel.state][travel.state]
- Assuming that a spouse or child does not need a passport, DS-260, photos, or civil documents.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
- Missing the fiscal-year deadline: DV visas must be issued before September 30 of the program year.
Before You Go to the Interview
Check the official DV interview page, your Entrant Status Check account, and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be interviewed. Embassy-specific rules can affect photo size, fee payment, medical-exam providers, document delivery, and whether financial evidence is required.[travel.state][travel.state][travel.state]
Bring your documents in a clear folder, keep certified translations attached to the corresponding originals, and carry copies of everything for your own records. If a document is missing, the consular officer will tell you what must be provided and how to submit it.[travel.state]