This post is one of those post that is born out of the need to answer a particular question over and over again on this website. Each time some asks what are the documents required for us visitor visa or what are the documents required for a US tourist visa, i give them the same answer. So here is the answer for all those that have this same question?
Official documents required for US visitor visa – From the government website.
The best place to get an up-to-date information about US visitor visa is from the US immigration department. You can find a list of the required document for US tourist visa by visiting – https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
In addition to visiting this website, I will suggest that you navigate from the webpage above to your country specific webpage. I have discovered that the visa office in each country may require a slightly different list of documents. Always check the website for your country to confirm that you have the updated list of required documents. Here is a link that will help you find the website for the US Embassy in your country. https://www.usembassy.gov/
Mandatory Documents required for us tourist visa – All classes of Applicants (B1/B2)
- Valid International Passport – Make sure you visa is still valid for at least 6 months after the date you pan to leave the USA after your visit. This means that if you plan to visit the USA from July 1st – July 30th, then your passport should be valid till at least December of that year. If you have Old Passports with visas on them, carry them along with you to the interview.
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page – When you fill out the DS-160, you get a confirmation page at the end of the process. You will need to print a copy of it and bring it with you to your visa interview.
- Application Fee Payment Receipt – If you are required to make payment before your interview, then you need to take the receipt with you. In other countries you may need to go to the interview with a Bank Draft.
- Photo – You will need to upload a soft copy of your photo. So get it ready and print a copy to take with you to the interview.
- Copy of the Visa Interview Appointment Letter
Supporting documents required for US visitor visa – B1 / B2
In addition to the mandatory documents, you may also need some documents to support the claims you made in your application form. Here are some of the documents you may need to prepare. Documents that show the following:
- The purpose of your trip – Although an invitation letter is not mandatory, it is a good document to show the purpose of your trip. If you are going to visit a friend or family, a letter from them is an obvious proof of the purpose of your trip. You may also prepare a document from a tourism company showing the list of places you plan on visiting. A booking of the hotels or places you plan on staying (DO NOT MAKE PAYMENTS to these hotels).
- Your intent to depart the United States after your trip – These are documents that show your ties to your home country. Birth certificates of your children, Letters from your employer showing that you are on vacation and all other documents that shows that you plan on returning to your home country immediately after your visit to the USA.
- Your ability to pay all costs of the trip – You should prepare your bank statement, pay slips and business documents to show that you have the ability to pay for the trip. If you will be sponsored partially or fully by your host, then you will need those documents from your host. Take note however that if you are being fully sponsored, it will be difficult for you to show that you will return to your home country after your visit.
How do I know which Document to take to the visa interview or not?
The rule of thumb is to take all documents that you think will be helpful to you. However do not bring out any document that the visa officer does not ask for. If you volunteer too much information, you may not have documents on you to support those claims. Now that you know the documents required for a US tourist visa, you can start preparing.
Your Turn
I hope this page has answered your questions. If you need a more comprehensive document in PDF format that you can print out or read on your mobile device to prepare you for a visa interview, then visit our page on visa interview help.
If you prefer to scout the internet to compile your own resources. Here is a list of visa interview questions for B2 Visa
Make this page richer. Add your suggestions of documents required for a US visitor visa. Leave a comment or ask a question.
Thanks you for your helpful
You are welcome Sereana
I am American.Ok i have been married for 2years she has been in since 2009 has seen her mom since i want to know how to invite her mother that i have never met.
Hi Francis,
Just write a letter to invite her.
Hello, thanks for wonderful tips. Mistake was made in my application in contact phone number. I hope this wouldn’t hinder my chances getting the visa
HI DEMS,
MY BOYFRIEND IS AMERICAN AND HE WANTS ME TO GO THERE AND VISIT HIM,I REALLY LOVE TO DO THAT,
IM WORKING HERE IN DUBAI,IM SCARED TO SAY THAT I DONT HAVE THAT MUCH SUPPORT DOCUMENTS TO SHOW UP IN US EMBASSY,I HAVE LOW SALARY AND NOT EVEN HAVE A BUSINESS HERE TO PROOF.
MY QUESTION IS,IS IT ALRIGHT IF I WILL ONLY TRY TO APPLY AND GET THE INTERVIEW AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS IS ALL FOR MY BOYFRIEND?
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU
Hi Maria,
At an interview for a visa, the visa officer wants to know about you, not your boyfriend.
Hi, how are you. I have a simple question, I am a senior and I will be graduate June 5th 2017 so I asked my school counselor to give me in invitation for my mom who lives in Haiti to assist my graduation but they didn’t give it to her and they say that the letter had been expired. So I don’t know what to do, should I ask for another letter because the first they gave me did not have so many details. Thanks
Hi, how are you. I have a simple question, I am a senior and I will be graduate June 5th 2017 so I asked my school counselor to give me in invitation for my mom who lives in Haiti to assist my graduation but they didn’t give it to her and they say that the letter had been expired. So I don’t know what to do, should I ask for another letter because the first they gave me did not have so many details. Thanks
Hello, My godmother wants me to com visit her in America and she is a citizen want to know what documents she needs to send to me.
I have extended family in the US i hope to stay with when i travel to deliver my baby in Dec. Do i need a letter of invitation from them to apply for a B2 medical visa.
Hi Chinyere,
I do not have a lot of experience with the B2 Medical Visa. I’ll try to find out and get back to you if I find out anything.
I have an invitation letter from a U.s citizen to come for tourist , but I am in Dubai nd my passport is with my boss, How then can I go for the interview without my passport,I want to know if it is possible.
No it is not possible. You MUST have your passport
hi dear dems,
i have a appointment letter for b1b2 visa,i have all document apport from the invitation letter.so without invitation letter i cant get visa.
i looking forward from u soon THANKS.
Hello Dems!
My friend wants to invite me and he will sponsor all my trip. Does my monthly salary is a big deal if I just receive 6k pesos per month? Should I still need a bank statement?
I hv marry to my wife since June 19, 2015 n she hv been here in Ghana this 2017. We hv an appeal process which hv been delayed till November 2017. She now want to send me an invite how can we do that n will that be a letter to the uscis or the ghana embassy.
Hello I’m Abeeb by name I’m a Nigerian citizen and got UAE Residence, i wanna travel to US i got a relative there she’s now a citizen she’s giving me her citizen certificate bank statement and invitation letter and i got a vacation letter from my boss, now i want to apply for ds-160 b1-b2 visa are those documents okay for me to go coz I’m scared I don’t want to get denied pls reply Asap
Yes they are okay! You can only do your best!
I HV received an invitation letter and a card from my brother in America directly from his school inviting me for his graduation.The letter was addressed by the school.Pls what documents aside my passport do I need to get my visa from USA embassy
Hi,
you can take a look at this article
https://www.sampleinvitationletter.info/documents-required-for-us-visitor-visa-b1-b2.php
Hi Dems,
My boyfriend in Thailand plans to visit the US for a week in May to meet my parents for the first time. Should his invitation letter come from me or from my parents? I’m thinking that maybe it’s better for the letter to come from my parents, and not mention anything about our relationship. Would that be safer, and give him a greater chance of being approved? What is your advice? Thank you.
Hi Rachel,
If your parents are willing to invite him, then that would be great. However, what matters the most is that your boyfriend documents the reason why he would return to Thailand after one week (employment and others). The visa officer may be curious about the relationship between your boyfriend and your parents. If there is an interview, they may ask about it and that could be a problem.
I think a letter from your parents with a slight mention that he is your friend may be ok.
I have a fiance who is a u.s citizen, we met online and we have been dating for long now.
She has invited me to come to the u.s and she will accomodate me. But we have been planning to get married while in u.s. Can i use b2 visa and get married while in u.s?
Secondly after the marriage and we file for i130,i485,i765,i131 and my visiting visa elapse can i be allowed to stay until my application is out or am i to go back to my home country or what?
hello, my name is George from nigeria i will like to apply for B2 visa with my family (my wife and son) what and what document sholuld i back this up. the purpose is to visit my cousin who is also a u.s citizen
how do i get an invitation letter from a family member and how is the invitation done for usa
Hi this is harish…i have got an invitation letter from my sister and brother in law who are residing in atlanta….i have completed all the visa requirements and ready for the interview…but the problem i have to show some proof to the interviewer that i will definetly return to my origin…i have completed by MBBS and preparing for POST GRADUATION and i recently attended the exam on jan 7th 2108…i have admitt card for that exam and the result will be by jan 31st…is the admitcard will be work as a proof for returning to my origin…..????other wise give me some suggestions mr.dems
how long does student visa stay to come out, when somebody has all the necessary documents needed is there any chance of not granting the visa
The time it takes for student visa to be approved varies from country to country. No visa is guaranteed so yes! There is always a chance that the visa will be denied.
Hi admin please am having an annual convention in USA by June 2018 and it’s my first time to visit USA….. the convention will last for 4days and I want to know the requirements and what question am likely to answer any again my international passport will expire on July 18th while I am traveling on 20 June to return after 4days……. pls I need help
i am doing business in dubai and i already apply for US B2 visa along with my wife,mother and younger sister, i want to know that what type of documents i need for interview
THANKS
Good day my name is Eleanya victor, I applied for a conference in the US and it’s in middle july, I am a final year student. I have a letter from school and a letter of invitation from the conference organization, although I have been to the UK twice for holidays reasons. My clear intention is to go for the conference and gain knowledge and present my oral presentation and return. What is my faith of getting the visa as I sure believe I have gotten it already. Strong ties?
Reply
Hey ,i have been invited by my uncle on his graduation ceremony, i have all the general documentations needed except the bank statement which is just additional, i have an interview on next week, is that going to be a problem?
Many times they don’t ask for documents. Let’s hope for the best.