Documents for a US visa application

Core documents almost everyone needs

These items apply to essentially all applicants, whether you are applying for a temporary (nonimmigrant) or permanent (immigrant) visa.

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US, unless a country-specific agreement exempts you
• The confirmation page (with barcode) from your online application form — Form DS-160 for nonimmigrant visas, or Form DS-260 for immigrant visas
• One recent photograph that meets the US photo specification — normally uploaded within the online form; bring a printed copy in case the upload fails
• Proof of your visa appointment (the appointment confirmation letter or page)
• Your visa fee payment receipt, if you were required to pay the application fee before the interview

Fees to keep proof of

The main nonimmigrant application fee (the MRV fee) is currently $185 for most visitor, student, exchange and similar categories; $205 for petition-based work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R); and $315 for E treaty trader/investor visas. Additional country-specific reciprocity or issuance fees may apply after approval, and students and exchange visitors pay a separate SEVIS I-901 fee. Fees change over time, so confirm the current amount and keep your payment receipt as part of your document set.

• MRV application fee receipt ($185 / $205 / $315 depending on category)
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt for F, M and J applicants (paid separately)
• Any reciprocity or issuance fee, where applicable, is normally handled after approval

Supporting documents by category (nonimmigrant)

What you bring to demonstrate the purpose of your trip and, for most temporary visas, your intent to return home varies by visa type. Common categories include:

• Visitor (B-1/B-2): evidence of the trip's purpose, proof you can cover costs, and evidence of ties to your home country (employment, family, property)
• Student (F/M): the original Form I-20 with an ink signature from your school, plus proof of funds for tuition and living costs
• Exchange visitor (J): the original Form DS-2019 from your program sponsor
• Work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R): the approved petition details (e.g. I-129 approval / receipt information) and supporting employment documents
• Financial evidence such as bank statements, tax returns, and employment or business documents where relevant

Supporting documents for immigrant visas

Immigrant (green-card) applicants processing through a consulate submit and present a fuller set of documents, coordinated through the National Visa Center and the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) before the interview.

• Form DS-260 confirmation page
• Original civil documents (or certified copies) — for example birth and marriage certificates — issued by the official authority in your country, plus photocopies
• Certified English translations of any document not in English or the local official language
• Affidavit of Support — Form I-864 (or I-864A/EZ/W as appropriate) from the US sponsor, which must meet the annual HHS Poverty Guidelines income threshold (generally 125%). Some nonimmigrant cases instead use Form I-134
• Any required medical examination results and country-specific documents listed by the consulate

Practical tips

• Check the specific embassy or consulate page for your interview location — its instructions override any general list, and posts differ
• Bring originals plus clear photocopies; do not laminate civil documents
• Organise documents by category so you can produce anything the officer asks for quickly
• Fees and required forms change periodically — confirm current figures and form editions on the official pages before you apply