The Reciprocity Schedule is the key document for U.S. visas or green cards. It makes applicants familiar with the procedures for obtaining civil documents from their country of origin to prove their applications. The U.S. Department of State maintains this schedule, and it gives you information about where and how to obtain the documents, their cost, and other important information, depending on which country the document was issued in.
What is the Reciprocity Schedule?
You can find information about acquiring civil documents, such as birth/marital certificates, police records, and more in the Reciprocity Schedule. It shows where to get these documents, how much they cost, and whether they qualify as the U.S. government requires for a visa or green card application.
Why is the Reciprocity Schedule Important?
Your documents must also be referred to the Reciprocity Schedule if you issued your document in another country beyond the United States. If you submit documents that aren’t in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. government, they may be turned down or hold up your application.
How to Use the Reciprocity Schedule For Green Card & Visa Application?
These are how to use the Reciprocity Schedule and have the correct documents on hand for your application.
- Open the Reciprocity Schedule To open the State Department’s “U.S.” Reciprocity Schedule, click here. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country” page.
- Sort by Country From the left pane, select the letter that matches the first letter of your country’s name or click “All” to see the list of countries.
- Select Your Country Scroll down the list to select your country of birth.
- Choose Your Country Click on the country your document is issued in.
- Locate Your Document Navigate down to your document of choice. Some papers, such as marriage or divorce certificates, might be packaged together. Click the “+” symbol beside the name of the document to see more.
- Display Document Information After you click on the document information, you will see if it is available, how to access it, and any other information. For example, if the document is “Unavailable” or “N/A,” that means either the document was not published by the nation or the United States has no instructions on how to get it. If so, bring an additional copy or an explanation in writing if the US government asks.
To Identify the Terminology in the Reciprocity Schedule
In the Reciprocity Schedule, some terms are a little ambiguous. Here are the words you’ll come across:
- Charges: The amount it takes to get an official/certified version of the document.
- Document Name: The name of the document specified by the issuance nation.
- Authority issuing the document: The public body issuing the document.
- Document format: Information on the document’s appearance (seals, colors) that marks it as an official copy.
- Issue Authority Person Name: Name of the individual who issuing the document.
- Registration Procedure: The general registration procedure with the government.
- How to get: How to get the document, who can ask for it, and what you need to provide.
- Certified Copies Requested: Certification copies of the document are allowed.
- Default Documents: Documents to call in case the primary document fails.
- Other: Unique laws or reasons a document is not open to some individuals.
- Comment: Additional notes or key information on the paper.
Guidelines on How to Use the Reciprocity Schedule
- Provide supplementary evidence: If you don’t have the exact document they ask for, offer secondary or supplementary evidence by the Reciprocity Schedule.
- Send what you have: If a document is “unavailable” or “N/A,” still send whatever version of the document you have, and perhaps with a written explanation.
- Translations: Any written work that is in a language other than English requires an official English translation for the United States government.
- Go to the “General Documents” tab: This sometimes shows a few helpful reminders or general information for document applicants in some countries.
- Don’t miss the “Comments” section: Sometimes specific national regulations or traditions do not allow certain documents, for example, divorce certificates in certain countries.
If the Document isn’t Available
The Reciprocity Schedule, should a document be missing due to national law or other reason (records destroyed by natural disasters for example), will usually find an alternate solution. A country, for example, might not issue divorce certificates for some groups, but they will let you get one from a different country.
Don’t Delay Document Requests
This is an involved and sometimes time-consuming process, so you should request copies as soon as you can so your application doesn’t get held up. The earlier you get those documents, the easier your green card or visa application will be.
What Does “Reciprocity” Mean in US Immigration?
To describe U.S. immigration law, “reciprocity” means that the U.S. will treat citizens of other nations in the same way that other nations treat U.S. citizens. If, for instance, a nation requires very high levels of visas for its residents, the U.S. could make similar demands for citizens of that nation.
How to Pay Your U.S. Visa Reciprocity Fee?
It differs from one visa reciprocity fee payment procedure to the next. You will have to pay at the embassy/consulate, online, or in a special bank. Always stick to the payment guidance given by the embassy or consulate dealing with your case.
If you use the Reciprocity Schedule correctly, your documents will be compliant with U.S. laws and will not delay your immigration or visa process. : Get all the documents before it’s too late and read the directions in detail to make things easier.
