This website provides general informational guidance and publicly available visa-processing information. It is not a law firm, immigration attorney, U.S. government website, U.S. Embassy website, USCIS website, NVC website, or Government of Pakistan website.
Civil, identity, police, medical, and financial documents commonly involved in U.S. immigrant visa processing for Pakistani applicants. Requirements depend on the case. Verify with official NVC and Embassy instructions.
The Department of State states Pakistani law does not recognize adoption. Family courts can grant guardianship, but grants of guardianship under Islamic sharia law do not create a legal permanent parent-child relationship.
The Department of State names the Birth Registration Certificate as the birth document for Pakistan. Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the CDA, and Cantonment Boards issue these certificates.
NADRA issues the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). NADRA also issues NICOP for overseas Pakistanis and POC for persons of Pakistani origin.
The Department of State states court records in Pakistan are available from the issuing court, and certified copies are available.
Death certificates in Pakistan are issued by Union Councils, Cantonment Boards, Municipal Corporations, and the CDA for Islamabad, according to the Department of State.
The Department of State names the Divorce Registration Certificate as the Pakistan divorce civil document, issued by Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the CDA, and Cantonment Boards.
The confirmation page generated after an applicant submits Form DS-260, the Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, through CEAC.
A complete English translation of a foreign-language civil document. The Islamabad supplement repeatedly requires English translations with specified civil documents.
NADRA describes a Family Registration Certificate as a certificate issued by the Authority which reflects, verifies, and provides a record of the family composition data of a registered person. The Department of State Pakistan reciprocity page states that an FRC lists family members and documents each member’s relationship to the others.
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support and supporting financial evidence used to show a sponsor can financially support an intending immigrant, as required in many family-based cases.
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the USCIS petition commonly used to start a family-based immigrant visa case. USCIS publishes the current form and instructions, including the evidence the petitioner must submit.
Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member, is the USCIS form used when a household member’s income or assets are counted toward Affidavit of Support requirements. USCIS publishes the current form and instructions.
The Department of State Pakistan reciprocity page states that an FRC may be requested to include details of an individual’s parents and siblings.
The Department of State Pakistan reciprocity page states that an FRC may be requested to include details of an individual’s spouse and children.
The Department of State names the Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC) as the marriage certificate document for Pakistan. For Pakistani Muslim citizens, Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the Capital Development Authority, and Cantonment Boards register Nikah Nama documents and issue marriage registration certificates.
Medical records and test results for major illnesses or surgeries, or for conditions the applicant is currently being treated for.
A Nikah Nama is the Muslim marriage contract registered by a Nikah Registrar. The Department of State explains that the registrar submits a copy to the local government authority, which then issues the Marriage Registration Certificate.
When NVC schedules an interview, it sends the applicant, petitioner, and agent/attorney (if applicable) an email with the appointment date and time. Applicant communities often call this an Interview Letter (IL). The official document is the NVC appointment email and embassy instructions.
After creating a case, the National Visa Center sends a Welcome Letter by email or physical mail. Official NVC guidance states that letter includes the information needed to log in to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
Pakistani passports are issued by the Ministry of Interior, Directorate General of Immigration and Passports. Ordinary passports have a green cover. The Department of State states Pakistani passports are valid for five or ten years.
Evidence of the qualifying family relationship claimed on Form I-130. USCIS publishes the relationship-specific evidence list in the current Form I-130 instructions (for example marriage evidence for a spouse petition, or birth evidence for a parent or child petition).
Passport-style photographs required for the medical exam and immigrant visa interview.
The Department of State names the document Police Certificate / Character Certificate. It is issued for a fee at a Police Facilitation Center or local police office in the individual’s home province or province of current residence as listed on the CNIC.
A polio vaccination certificate is a health document that may be requested for international travel or as part of vaccination history. Immigrant visa applicants also have separate CDC vaccination requirements administered during the panel-physician exam.
Evidence that the U.S. petitioner or financial sponsor is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. USCIS Form I-130 instructions require the petitioner to prove status. Later Affidavit of Support and Embassy Islamabad family-based checklists also require proof of each financial sponsor’s legal status.
In some cases, after visa approval the embassy gives a sealed envelope containing documents that must be given to U.S. immigration authorities on first arrival in the United States.
Evidence that the financial sponsor is domiciled in the United States, as required for Form I-864. USCIS Form I-864 instructions explain domicile. The Embassy Islamabad family-based checklist also requires proof of the sponsor’s domicile in the United States.
Tax documentation the financial sponsor submits with Form I-864, such as federal income tax returns, W-2s, or IRS tax transcripts, as listed in current USCIS Form I-864 and NVC instructions. The Embassy Islamabad family-based checklist specifically mentions related W-2s.
A USCIS fee for processing residency status and printing the Permanent Resident Card after an immigrant visa is issued overseas.
Personal immunization records showing vaccines already received. The Islamabad supplement tells applicants to bring a copy of immunization records to the medical exam.
