Your documents are the backbone of your USA visa file. If the paper trail is clean, consistent, and aligned with your purpose,
the interview revolves more around your answers and less around paperwork. Below, you’ll find everything in 100% width content —
from general mandatory documents and category-wise checklists to financial proofs, sponsorship formats, formatting rules, and common mistakes —
so you can follow easily on laptop, desktop, or mobile.
Core Mandatory Documents (Common to All Applicants)
Whether you’re applying as a Tourist (B1/B2), Student (F-1), Exchange Visitor (J-1), Worker (H-1B, L-1), or under a Family category,
this base set applies to almost everyone. At the interview, the officer first checks identity and form-data consistency —
so keep these items error-free:
1) Valid Passport
At least 6+ months validity beyond your planned stay.
Name, DOB, passport number, and parents’ names must match exactly with the DS-160.
If older IDs differ, be ready with a clear, explainable trail.
Tip: Before submitting DS-160, verify it line-by-line against your passport and employment documents. Spelling mistakes are among the most common triggers for refusals.
Category-Wise Document Checklist
Below are focused checklists for each major category. Prepare the exact mix according to your need.
Remember: USA visa interviews are not paper-submission based, but when the officer asks about any proof,
you should be able to present it immediately.
A) B1/B2 — Tourist & Business Visitor
Employment Proof: Recent employment letter (designation, salary, start date), last 3–6 months’ salary slips.
Leave Letter: Company-stamped leave approval (dates must match your itinerary).
Financials: Last 6 months’ bank statements (clear balances & transactions), last 2–3 ITRs/Tax returns.
Ties to Home Country: Property papers, proof of family dependents, ongoing job/education proof.
Business (B1): Invitation letter from US company (purpose, dates, who pays), conference registration, meeting schedule.
Tourism (B2): Rough itinerary, hotel holds, domestic travel ideas (optional but helpful).
B) F-1 — Student Visa
I-20: Issued by an SEVP school, signed, with correct program dates & funding breakdown.
SEVIS Fee Receipt: I-901 payment confirmation.
Financial Proof: Coverage for tuition + living expenses; sponsor bank statements, fixed deposits, solvency certificate (if provided), scholarship letters.
Academic Records: Transcripts, degree certificates, test scores (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS) as applicable.
Study Intent: Clear goals/SOP (for interview answers), research/assistantship letters if any.
C) J-1 — Exchange Visitor (Research/Training)
DS-2019: Issued by the sponsor organization; program details & funding spelled out.
SEVIS Fee: I-901 receipt.
Host Invitation: US department letter; training plan (if applicable, DS-7002).
Funding Proof: Stipend/grant letter; evidence of personal/sponsor funds.
D) H-1B / L-1 — Work Visas
Approval Notice: I-797 approval for H-1B; blanket/individual petition documents for L-1.
Offer & Role: Employment letter (position, salary, location), client letter (if on-site), project description.
Qualifications: Degree certificates, transcripts, experience letters mapping to the specialty occupation/managerial role.
Company Evidence: Tax IDs, company profile, pay stubs (if transfer), prior US status documents (if any).
E) Family-Based (Spouse/Children/Parents Visits under B2, or Immigrant Petitions)
Relationship Proof: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, photos, communication logs (as asked).
Invitation/Affidavit: US invite letter; for immigrant cases, Affidavit of Support (I-134/I-864) with tax returns & income proof.
Status Proof of Petitioner: US passport/green card copy, visa/I-94 where relevant.
F) DV/Immigrant Categories (High-Level)
Case-Specific Notices: Letters and fee receipts from KCC/USCIS/NVC.
Financial Documents — Show “Ability to Pay” and “Home Ties”
In visitor categories, financial stability + ties to your home country are major factors. For student/work categories,
clarity about the funding source is equally important. Do not inflate figures — officers also look at transaction patterns.
Document
When Useful
Best Practices
Bank Statements (6–12 months)
All categories; especially B1/B2 and F-1
Original, recent; explain sudden large deposits; keep average balance realistic.
Income Proof (Salary Slips, ITRs)
Working professionals, self-employed
Last 3–6 salary slips; 2–3 ITRs; for business owners, GST/returns are helpful.
Fixed Deposits/Investments
Supplementary strength
Provide a consolidated statement; note maturity & liquidity.
Property Papers
Evidence of ties to home country
Clear ownership; notarized/certified translations for non-English documents.
Sponsorship Letters
Family visits, student funding
Mention relationship and cost coverage; attach sponsor income/ID proof.
Scholarship/GA/RA Letters
F-1/J-1
On official letterhead with amount, duration, and conditions.
Your financial “story” should be consistent: income inflow, monthly expenses, savings growth. Avoid spike deposits or round-figure cash — a genuine trail builds trust.
For non-immigrant interviews, medical reports are generally not required, but for immigrant pathways,
panel-physician medicals and Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) can be mandatory. Civil documents establish identity and lineage in every case.
Police Clearance (if asked): Especially for immigrant/DV categories; clean and recently issued.
Medical Exams: For immigrants, schedule with a panel physician; keep vaccination records handy.
Birth/Marriage Certificates: Official, legible; names must match; notarized translations if needed.
Name Change/Gazette: Proper documentation for spelling updates, marriage/divorce changes.
Even the smallest mismatch in civil documents (middle names, initials, hyphens) can trigger queries. Maintain the exact name that appears in your passport across all documents.
Document Formatting — Clean, Consistent, Professional
Officers scan your papers quickly. Neat formatting creates a strong impression and reduces doubts.
Scanning: 300–400 DPI, straight edges, no glare/shadows; PDFs in upright orientation.
Inconsistent names: Middle name/initials differ across documents.
If you realize a mistake after submitting DS-160, you can fill a new form and carry the latest confirmation.
At the interview, show the officer the barcode of the “latest DS-160.”
Quick-Ready Doc Kits (Profile-Based)
Working Professional – B1/B2
Passport(s), DS-160, MRV/Appointment, photos.
Employment letter, leave approval, last 6 months’ payslips.
6–12 months’ bank statements, 2–3 ITRs.
Itinerary + hotel holds; property/family ties.
Student – F-1
Passport, DS-160, SEVIS fee receipt, I-20.
Academic transcripts, scores; admission letter.
Sponsor funds: bank statements, solvency; scholarship letters.
Clarity of study intent (why this course, why this university).
Business Owner – B1/B2
Company registration, GST/returns, bank statements.
Client/vendor invites; trade show registration.
Personal ITRs + business financial summary.
Travel plan aligned to meetings/exhibitions.
H-1B/L-1 Worker
I-797 or blanket petition, offer letter, client letter.
Degrees, transcripts, experience letters.
Pay stubs (if transfer), company profile.
Family Visitor – B2
Invitation letter; inviter’s status proof.
Relationship documents; evidence of the occasion (graduation/birth).
Your own financials + ties (job/property).
Immigrant/DV (High-Level)
Civil documents (birth/marriage/divorce), PCCs.
Medical exam results; NVC/USCIS notices.
Affidavit of Support with tax transcripts.
Sponsorship & Letters — Content Guidelines
Invitation or sponsorship letters should be short, specific, and verifiable. Email printouts are acceptable
as long as the details are crystal clear.
Invitation (B1/B2): Host’s full name, address, contact; purpose of invite, dates, and who bears the costs (self/host/company).
Company Invite (B1): Letterhead, meeting agenda, site address, contact person, and funder of the trip.
Sponsorship (Student/Family): Relationship, scope of expense coverage, and attached financials (statements/ITRs).
University/Department: Scholarship/assistantship amount & duration, professor contact.
Instead of open-ended lines (e.g., “will cover everything”), use itemized phrasing (tuition, living, insurance, travel).
Last-Minute Readiness — Interview Day Folder
Passport(s) + photo set (US size) + DS-160 confirmation on top.
Translations & notarizations (if any) clipped with the relevant documents.
Keep the folder light; create top tabs in plastic sleeves (Core / Financials / Supporting).
The biggest skill is pulling out exactly what the officer asks for — instantly.
Required Documents — FAQs
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S. unless exempt by country-specific agreements. Carry both your current and any old passports.
A 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) photo with a white background is required. It must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and meet biometric standards. Glasses are not allowed.
Yes. Print the DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode. This is mandatory for your appointment and must match your profile details.
Yes. The MRV fee receipt is proof of payment and must be shown at the Visa Application Center (VAC) or interview.
Bank statements (last 3–6 months), tax returns, salary slips, and proof of assets help establish your ability to fund your stay in the U.S.
Employees should carry an employment letter and salary slips. Students must provide enrollment letters, transcripts, or admission letters (for F/M/J visas).