U.S. Visa Required Documents

Before going to the consular interview, citizens who wish to apply for an U.S. non-immigrant visa must gather together a series of documents to process their application. The documents listed below have been defined by the United States government.

In this article we will detail the list of documents that you must submit to apply for the B1 business visa, B2 tourist visa and B1/B2 visa, which authorize the entry of foreigners to United States territory for short periods that may not exceed 90 days.

Required Documents

As a general rule, the documentation for an U.S. visa from any of the countries that have consular representation of the United States can be divided into two groups:

• Basic documents for the U.S. visa: the mandatory documentation for any of the U.S. visa types.
• Complementary documents for the U.S. visa: list of documents you will need to justify your application and demonstrate your economic and familial ties to your country of origin.

Also keep in mind that for some people may not need to attend a consular interview. No matter your individual case, we recommend:

• For U.S. visa applications that require an interview in the consular section, applicants must show up with all required documents
• For visa applications that do not require a consular section interview, applicants must send via courier all required documents for review

Basic or obligatory documentation

To apply for a U.S. visa you must have the following documents (including minors):

• Completed and printed confirmation sheet for the U.S. visa DS-160 application form .
• Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the period of stay in United States territory.
• Recent 5cm x 5cm color photograph.

The United States provides its consular services at embassies or consulates, depending on the country. To attend your consular interview, you will also need:

• Bank receipt for the payment of the visa application fee (MRV).
• Proof of appointment at the embassy for the visa interview.
• Originals of the additional documentation.

Additional documents

The following additional documents is necessary to justify your application for a U.S. visa before the U.S. authorities:

• Documents to demonstrate that you have enough income or financial resources to cover your expenses during your entire stay in the U.S. If you cannot cover the expenses to travel to the United States, you must show evidence that someone else will cover some or all of your trip’s expenses.
• Documents showing your familial ties in your country of origin or residence.
• Evidence of employment ties and commitments.
• If you are a student, you must provide the documentation that proves your status.

Additional documents for medical treatments

Consular authorities do not require additional documents, unless the purpose of the trip is to receive medical treatment in the United States. In this case, the consular officer may request the following documents at the interview:

• Diagnosis from a local doctor: this should explain the nature of the illness and why treatment is needed in the United States.
• Medical certificate from the United States: with details of the illness and treatment. You must detail the duration and estimated cost of treatment.
• Proof that the patient's transportation, medical, and living expenses will be paid in the United States.

Optional documents

The list of documents below is not mandatory, varies according to each applicant's situation, and may or may not be reviewed during your interview.

However, these documents can help the consular officer determine your intentions to return to your country:

• Passports containing previous U.S. visas (even if they have expired).
• Birth certificate (original or certified copy).
• Financial evidence (account statements, Tax ID, tax documents).
• Academic evidence (university diplomas, professional certificate).
• Proof of employment (payroll stubs, company ID, letter from the company's human resources department).

Documents for minors under 14 years of age

In the case of U.S. visa applicants under 14 years of age, there is the possibility of being exempt from appearing for the interview when the visitor visa is processed.

If you meet the following requirements, you will be able to submit your documentation by postal mail after submitting your online form:

• Applicant must be under 14 years of age.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the country from which you apply for the U.S. visa.
• Your last U.S. visa application was not rejected.
• At least one parent or legal guardian has a valid U.S. visa or is eligible to travel to the U.S. under ESTA.

If you are processing the visa for a minor under 14 years of age, you must provide the following documents in addition to the basic documentation and complementary documentation listed above:

• Certified copy of the child's Civil Registry of Birth sheet.
• Evidence of previous U.S. visas approved for the minor or their parents.
• Documentation proving that the minor is a student in their country.

We recommend checking with the consular authorities of your specific country to confirm if they offer the interview exemption for the minor for whom you wish to process the visa.

It is necessary to have your passport on hand when applying for your U.S. visa from any country. You will need a series of documents to justify your trip to the embassy or consulate.