10 Basic USA Visa Requirements – Requirements For US Visa Application

Hey! Do you want to travel to America? Are you stuck on how to find the USA visa requirements? Here are all the requirements for a USA visa application you need to know. This includes the complete list of documents required for a US visa application, including information about each document and guidelines on their appropriate format.

Gathering the necessary documents is an important part of the US visa application process. After you’ve decided on the type of visa you need to apply for. Then, you should review the requirements and begin gathering the necessary documents.

There are some documents that the US embassy or consulate requires from all applicants, regardless of the type of visa they wish to obtain. Therefore, make sure you have all of these documents when you submit your visa application.

Requirements For US Visa Application

Before you can travel to the USA, there are basic documents you must present. That means you won,t be granted a visa if you are not with such documents. Therefore, before embarking on your USA visa application and processing, ensure that all these documents are handy. Below are the USA visa requirements.

Basic USA Visa Requirements

Here are all the required documents for a US visa.

1. An online nonimmigrant DS-160 application form.
2. Your Valid Passport: It must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your intended stay in the United States. Some countries, however, are exempt from this requirement and only require a passport valid for the duration of their stay in the United States. To be able to attach a visa, your passport must have at least one blank page.
3. One Passport: The US visa photo requirement is one of the most important requirements for any visa application. Upload the photo while filling out the DS-160 form online. If the upload fails, you can still submit the photo on the day of the appointment. However, even if you upload the photo online, we recommend that you bring it with you to the interview in case you need it.
4. Receipt of proof of payment of $160 for a nonimmigrant US visa application: Unlike in Europe, where you pay the fee on the day of your appointment.  Here, you must pay the fee in order to schedule an interview for a US visa. Remember that the US visa fee is non-refundable. This is in case you cancel your appointment or your visa application is denied.
5. Your Social Media Details: A list of the social media platforms you use, as well as the name of your account on each, your phone number, email address, and your social media history for the previous five years.

Important Tips: Every document that is not written in English or the official language of the country where the interview will be held must be translated. Translations must be certified by a qualified translator.

Form DS-160

If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States. Note that you must fill out the DS-160 online application form. The Consular Electronic Application Center allows you to fill out the DS-160 form online.
Aside from the main documents, you will be required to submit additional documents to back up the answers you provided on your application form, such as the ones listed below:

#1. Your Previous USA Visa

If you have previously visited the United States with an older passport, you should bring it with you to the embassy or consulate on the day of the interview. The US authorities require previously held visas to demonstrate that you have previously entered the country.

Basic USA Visa Requirements #2. Your Travel itinerary

The travel itinerary is a travel plan that shows what you intend to do while in the United States. It includes documents such as a purchased flight reservation that shows your planned entry and exit dates in the United States. It can also display inner flight reservations if applicable.

You will also be required to provide proof of accommodation. It should indicate where you intend to stay in the United States (hotel, rented house, friend’s or relative’s house, etc.). However, it may simply demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to book a hotel once in the United States.

Basic USA Visa Requirements #3. Invitation Letter

An invitation letter for a US visa is a letter written by a US citizen or legal resident confirming that they are willing to admit an international with whom they have family ties or friendship and that they have enough room for the visitor during their entire stay in the US.

#4. Property Documents

If you own property in your home country or elsewhere, you must provide proof of ownership. However, if you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, having property is a huge plus because it shows you have strong ties to your home country and do not intend to stay in the US. More so, if you do, please bring the following documents with you on the appointment date.

• The Original ownership papers. You can also come with photocopies of the documents.
• Photographs of that property
• Personal affidavit regarding the property

#5. Sponsorship Documents

If you intend to enter the United States on the basis of sponsorship from another US resident, you must provide proof of that sponsorship. The following documents must be submitted by the sponsor:

1. Affidavit Letter: This is a letter that confirms the sponsor is financially capable of supporting you throughout your entire stay.
2. Employment Letter: demonstrates the sponsor’s employment and the salary he receives.
3. Payslips: three to four recent payslips
4. Bank letters: indicating the date the account was opened, the total amount deposited in the previous year, and the current balance.

#6. Employment or Professional Documents

• Bring a letter from your employer outlining your position, salary, length of employment, authorized vacation time, and the purpose of your trip to the United States if you are employed.
• If you are retired, you should have a pension book, and
• If self-employed, provide a certificate of incorporation and income details.

Basic USA Visa Requirements #7. Letter from a physician

You must make an appointment with an authorized physician in the country where you will be interviewed. You must have your medical examination completed by an embassy-approved doctor. Note that other physicians’ examinations will not be accepted.

Basic USA Visa Requirements #8. Family Documents

Also, bring all these with you:

• Birth certificate,
• marriage certificate,
• close family photographs,
• adoption certificate (if you are or have adopted a child),
• divorce certificate, and so on.

Requirements for USA Study Visa

If you are applying for a student and exchange visa to the United States, the consular officer will require you to provide proof that you have been admitted to a US educational institution. This educational institution must be a participant in the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

However, in addition to the normal visa fee, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and provide proof of payment during the interview.

Requirements for USA Work Visa

Depending on the type of US work visa you apply for, you may be required to submit some of the following documents:

• Proof you meet the educational qualifications (diplomas and certifications)
• The Proof of professional degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate)
• Job offer from a US employer
• Letter from previous employers
• Your Resume or CV
• State License (if applicable)
• Proof that you have extraordinary abilities
• Additional fees, etc.

Requirements for Specific USA Visa Types

Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, additional documents may be required.

Now that you have seen and know the USA visa requirements, you can now start getting then ready for your visa interview. However, for comments, questions, or contributions, see us in the comment box below.