Hello!
I read a lot of posts on this and am confused - some ppl say - translate DS 230 supporting docs, but then it looks like you don't have to if they are in the language of the country where you apply for a visa. So, what's correct? Thanks!

if you send them to the NVC then, yes you have to translate

but, for interview purpose you don't have to translate if documents are in the same language that is spoken in the country of interview
But, if you translate the documents for NVC, it doesn't hurt to translate them for interview purpose as well
I did it
it is better to have it translated then to have your appointment moved just because you are missing translations

This is what the DOS web site says regarding documents for the US embassy in Kyiv:

Translations

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations.

So if they're in the official language, you DO NOT need to send translations to the NVC along with the DS-230. If the documents are in Spanish, Japanese or any other language, then yes, you would need the translations.

Diana

I disagree with your interpretation of the instructions. First, the recent change concerning appointment posts requires docs to be send to NVC, NOT the embassy in many situations, and this would seem to indicate documents must be translated into English, as the average NVC officer can't translate dozens of languages. Second, I read the instructions as saying "all documents in the official language must be accompanied by certified translations." I can see the wording in the instructions is such to be easily misread. Best policy...translate everything into English...you can't go wrong and avoid the dreaded RFE.

Final suggestion, if in doubt, contact the NVC directly.

In the past the NVC required all documents to be translated into English but they have changed that policy. When you check each embassy on the DOS web site and click on the applicant’s civil documents link, it'll tell you whether they need translations or not. It clearly says that documents for applicants going to the US embassy in Kyiv, do not need to be translated if not in English or in the official language of the country.

Diana

As long as Kyiv is not an appointment post, ok. But if the civil docs must go to New Hampsire with the DS-230, I'd have them translated into English.

Yes Diana, you are 100 % right regarding Embassy, but regarding the NVC I think theuy would like to read it in English
Anyway, it doesn't hurt to have them translated

Thanks, guys! I read it as Diana too. I'd hate to get my translations now since I got everything almost ready to go and was hoping of sending it out.. I will call the NVC and ask, see what they say. I don't know, there's a cover letter that tells them what's what, so maybe no translation is really necessary.. Who knows!

If you guess wrong, count on loosing weeks answering the RFE you may get. The NVC is famous for being fussy. But if you're ok with the added processing time, go for it.

Common sense tells me an NVC officer in New Hampshire does not read Ukrainian or Russian. How can they verify your foreign docs?

I had the same question, same answers ... I end up with translations just to be on a safe side and not to get RFE`s.

Good luck!