US Visitor Visa Documents Guide
If you intend to travel to the United States temporarily and are applying for a B1 B2 travel visa, you may be wondering what paperwork you’ll need to start assembling for your application.
If you are currently living in the USA and planning to invite your family members or thinking of applying for parents’ visitor visas this guide will be useful.
This guide will go over the paperwork required at each level of the B1/B2 travel visa application process.
US Tourist Visa Documents List
- Current Valid Passport
- Travel itinerary for the planned US Trip
- Proof of funds to cover the trip cost
- Proof of strong ties to home country
- National ID number if issued in your home country
- Most recent digital photographs meeting the US Govt. guidelines
- Print copies of your recent photograph
- DS-160 confirmation page print copy
- Visa Interview appointment letter print copy
- Letter of invitation from the travel host in the USA
B1/B2 Business Or Tourism Visitor Visa To The U.S.
The B1/B2 visa is intended for short-term travel and both business travelers and foreign nationals planning to visit the USA for tourism or meeting family members can apply for B1-B2 visitor visas.
If your country is not part of the Visa waiver program as its citizens you will need a visitor visa to travel to the USA.
How To Apply For A B 1/ B 2 Visa:
The steps to B1-B2 visa application are:
- Complete Form DS-160 Online
- Visa Fee payment
- Set-up an appointment
- Visit the American Embassy/Consulate for the Interview
Step 1 – Complete Form DS-160
Complete the Electronic Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form – DS-160. Guide to Form DS-160.
Step 2 – Visa Application Fee Payment
Application fee payment for the visa process
Step 3 – Appointment
You can make a visa interview appointment on this page and get your interview appointment letter. You must provide the following information to arrange an appointment:
- Your passport number
- The CGI reference number is located on the Visa Fee receipt
- The 10-digit barcode number is on the confirmation page of your DS-160 form
Step 4 – Visit The American Embassy/Consulate
On your visa interview date and time, You must visit the American Embassy or Consulate where you have scheduled your interview.
You must carry the following:
- A printed copy of your interview appointment letter
- Your DS-160 confirmation page
- A photograph clicked within the past six months, and
- All of your passports, including your current and previous ones.
Fingerprinting
As part of the visa process, the consular officer at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate will take digital fingerprints of the visa applicant. The consular officer does it during the application procedure on the day of the visa interview, typically just before or during the visa interview, inkless, digital fingerprint scans are taken.
Supporting Documents
During the interview with the visa applicant, a consular officer will consider a variety of situations and take into account the supporting documentation. Consular officers carefully evaluate each application.
Consular officers may consider your reasons for visiting the USA, your ties to the home country, and your intent to return after your trip to the United States. It is good to go prepared for the visa interview and carry all necessary supporting documents listed.
For proof of funds, bank statements can be provided, and for ties to home country employment letter, proof of real estate/home ownership or any other such evidence can be carried.
Further documents needed will depend on individual circumstances, for example, if you are applying for a visitor visa to obtain medical treatment in the USA then doctors fees, a letter from your medical provider on the medical treatment, additional documents to prove financial resources for hospitalization fees, etc. to be able to pay for medical treatment.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) Online
Nonimmigrant visa, Checklist for DS-160 Form:
When completing Form DS-160 (your online application for a B-1/B-2 visa),
- You do not have to upload any documents
- Only upload a digital photo
But definitely refer to the following in order to complete the DS-160 questions:
- The passport must be current and valid
- Itinerary for your trip to the United States
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the entire cost of travel (bank statements, asset proof, etc.)
- Evidence of strong ties to your home country (for example, employment verification, real estate/property ownership, etc.)
- Your home country’s national ID number (if applicable)
- Recent digital photograph that complies with US government guidelines
- Save this photo on the computer or device you’ll use to submit your application!
As part of the DS-160 process, you’ll also be asked:
- Biographical questions about yourself and your family
- More detailed questions about your employment and travel history
- This information can be useful to have on hand as you complete your application
Checklist For Travel Visa Interview B1/B2
One of the final steps in the travel visa process is:
- Attending your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate
- Attend your interview in the country from which you are applying.
- You’ll receive more detailed instructions from your specific embassy or consulate after scheduling your visa appointment,
Here are the documents that are generally required at all travel visa interviews:
- Passport valid
- If applicable, the expired passport or old passports that show previous travel.
- A printed copy of your visa interview invitation letter
- Your DS-160 confirmation page, printed
- Recent photograph Printed (taken within the last 6 months)
US Govt Guidelines for Photos. If your valid passport is expiring within the next few months then it is advisable to get a new passport before applying for a visitor visa. Do note that you need a minimum validity of 6 months for the passport to be able to travel to the USA.
