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Immigrant Visa Issuance in Brussels

This page is intended for those who are or will be applying for their immigrant visa at the Consular Section in Brussels.  It explains in detail how the immigrant visa process is completed in Belgium.  

No matter what type of immigrant visa applicant you are, family based, employment based or lottery, at the end of the application process, you will have your immigrant visa application interview at a consulate or embassy of the United States. For family or employment based visa applicants, an visa interview appointment date will be given by the National Visa Center (NVC), for you and your applying family members, if any, to appear in person before a consular officer to formally apply for your visa. If you are a lottery visa applicant, you must check if your entry has been selected in the following link https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/ This link will also provide instructions and the appointment date for your immigrant visa interview.

It is important to prepare yourself carefully for this interview so here is what is required from you:

The Medical Examination

With your appointment letter you will also receive instructions for setting up a medical examination appointment with a panel physician, designated by the Embasy. You are to call the panel physician and make sure the examination date precedes the interview date by at least five workdays. When you go to the doctor, you must bring:

  • Valid passport
  • Every applicant, regardless of age, must bring one passport photo to the doctor.
  • Proof you have been properly vaccinated. For information on which vaccinations are required please see the State Deparment website. If no proof is available, the panel physician can administer the required vaccinations. Note that only a panel physician can ultimately determine which vaccinations are medically appropriate.
  • Every applicant, regardless of age, must pay the doctor's fee for the medical exam. Children under 15 years of age on the visa interview date do not need the Chest X-Ray photograph.
  • You will be required to return to the doctor a few days after your medical exam, in order to pick up your medical results. 

The Visa Application Interview

All immigrant visa applicants in Brussels are to report for their interview at 2:00 pm on the appointment date. You must bring:

  • Your passport, which must be valid at least 6 more months after the interview date.
  • the documents and forms required, as indicated in your appointment letter
  • one additional passport photograph (so have two photos made: 1 for the doctor and 1 for the Consular Section)
  • Beneficiaries of employment based petitions must bring an original, recent and notarized letter from the petitioning employer, on original company letterhead paper, confirming the position and salary of the immigrant.
  • Copies of all original documents you have previously sent to NVC
  • Beneficiaries of family based petitions must bring an I-864 Affidavit of Support form, filled out and signed by the petitioner and with supporting documents attached.
  • The required fee, which can be paid in dollars, the euro equivalent or by credit card. (NVC cases are paid for with NVC, before the file is shipped overseas.)

Intake of documents and initial review

Upon admission into the Consulate, your passport will be collected and your file will be reviewed by a consular employee.  Then the consular officer will conduct the final interview, adjudicate your application and inform you of the result.

*If your visa is granted, your passport with your visa will be ready for pick-up a few days after your visa interview. The Consular Section will also prepare your sealed immigrant visa package.  The Consular Officer will inform you when you can come back to the Consular Section to pick up your passport containing your immigrant visa, as well as your sealed immigrant visa package.  Congratulations! You can now book your trip to go and take up residence in the United States.

*However, if the Consular Officer has to decide the visa cannot be approved for issuance, the reason for refusal can often be quickly eliminated.  The Consular Officer will give you verbal and printed instructions on how to proceed.