Genetic (DNA) Testing Procedures for Visa Applicants

DNA testing analyzes the genetic material in human cells and has been found to be over 99 percent accurate in verifying family relationships - parent/child, brother/sister, etc. For this reason DNA testing is suggested only when no other options appear to be available.  The testing is entirely voluntary and all costs and expenses associated with it must be paid entirely by the visa or passport applicant and/or his or her family.  While we cannot require you to undergo this testing, we may not be able to continue processing your case without it. The test results are usually available within a month, although this varies by lab.

For more information on DNA parentage testing, http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1337.html  .

If you decide to proceed with a DNA test, the petitioner (for immigrant visa applications) or family member (for passport applications) should arrange for testing with any one of the DNA laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) through the following website (http://www.aabb.org/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

In making the choice to pursue this testing, please remember that we cannot guarantee that the tests will produce a favorable result that would allow us to issue a visa or citizenship document.

The laboratory you choose must send the testing kit to the Embassy at the address below, and must include the name and location of the office that requested the testing:

U.S. Embassy
Chief, Consular Section
Beirut, Lebanon
Telephone: 961-4-542600
email: BeirutIV@state.gov

The Embassy will receive the testing kit, and will contact the test participant(s) by phone or letter and schedule an appointment date for the DNA test.  Appointments cannot be scheduled before a testing kit is received by the Embassy. A physician selected by the Embassy will collect a sample from the test participant(s) in the presence of a Consular Officer.

The applicants should arrive at the Embassy at the appointment time, and must bring the following items: 

For immigration visa applicants:

1. Valid passport of the applicant and one photocopy of the biographic information in the passport;
2. One recent passport size photograph; and,
3. Proof of payment – 80 U.S. dollars per case, to be paid to the physician who will take the sample.

Please note that only a valid passport will be accepted as photo identification.