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.
Hey my name is Kazi…. I am in a student in my third year, in the University… My uncle is in the US Atlanta Georgia and wants me to visit him there, He has sent me an invitation letter and is the one going to sponsor my trip, he has sent me his residential status and he is also in the military as well…. Plss do I need to show his bank statement or it is not required
You really don’t need his bank statements. The visa officer will be more interested in you than your uncle.
Hello Dems,Good day.
I recently filled a u.s visa application online and got an appointment by August. I omitted filling my annual salary? and again I mistakenly ticked yes Where it was asked if I have travelled abroad for the past five years? because initially I thought the question meant if I have travelled abroad before and actually I have travelled abroad before but to Hong Kong which I indicated. So I would like to know if I am still safe???
Yes Nazam,
You should be able to correct those errors during the visa interview. I wish you the best.
Thanks for your reply Dems.
Still based on your reply on that I should be able to correct the omission I made in not filling my annual salary and the mistake I made in clicking yes that I have travelled to abroad for the past five years,so
How do I intend correcting the mistakes? Should I bring it up first to the interviewer? Or wait till I am being asked?
Hi Dems,
Here is my another question if you don’t mind.
My cousin sister is actually inviting me for her wedding, it’s going to be two weeks stay in u.s and get back to my home country and resume work .she is a U.S citizen,born and raised in U.S. I will be paying for the trip, to and fro while I will stay in her apartment and she takes care of the living expenses till I go. So what documents will she provide? And what documents will I provide?
Thanks alot Dems
Hi… My self, wife and son planning to attend a church conference in The US. First time traveling abroad. We have VISA interview next week. What is our chance of getting approved?
Hi Mr Desh,
No one can tell you if you have a chance of getting a visa or not. What I’ll tell you is this. Many people have received visas to visit the USA with their family! I wish you the very best in your visa interview.
I have a friend in US who intend to send me letter of invitation but she is a student and I am a good friend to her mother by virtue of my conversation with her and her mother decided to make the letter a joint letter of invitation from her mother and her as a family invitation letter. How do they write the letter. Please I need guide on it and both of them live in separate houses.
Hi Kunle,
They should follow the samples on this site and both of them sign at the end.
Good day sir. I have a white family friend here in Nigeria who got connected to my family through work and they retired from here and went back to the states. Luckily for them they are back again after 8 years and within this 8 years there has been constant communication, helps financially as they told us when ever we need anything we can contact them as they are willing to help all the time.. And that they have have been doing everytime. That connection has remained since the last 8 years adding the 4 years they spend here before to sum it up to 12 years.. Now they want me to come over to the states to visit them and stay with them for a while. They don’t know how to go about it so it can be possible for me as they have asked me to make findings and get back to them. Please enlighten me on the way to go about this.
I intend getting married to a black Lady who is a citizen in USA,we have being dating for years now and I have the intentions of going to see her and know her family members in USA and probably do a little introduction and she might follow me back to Nigeria when we fix a date soon for our marriage in Nigeria. please what steps should we take to enable me go see her,her parents and family members? what documents will I present and what will be required of me in the embassy? thank you
I am married to a U.S citizen two months ago and due to my work I couldn’t go immediately with him. Now my annual leave is in September and he has sent all supporting documents as the person sponsoring my trip. I only have a job and that’s it. Is that enough ties for them to allow me visit my husband for the period of three weeks?
Congrats Victoria,
Your job may not be enough but you have no other ties. So prepare all you have, get a letter from your office and hope for the best. You may just get the visa.
Hi, I’m planning to make a trip to U.S to visit a friend who’s from U.S, she have visited me here in Nigeria but she’s married there in the States I don’t know how to go about it. Do I have to along with some photos I took with her to the embassy for my interview?
this is saimon, my friend is usa citizen. she work as a police officer in new york city’ s menhattan place. she sent me a invitation letter for visit her family’s occasion event. I don’t have visited abroad befor and I am a student, in forward I have versity’s semister exam .(optional : I could carry my all personal cost like visiting,food,travel etc without hotel book). so my question is that what is the process for me? if she want to sponsored me.
I really appreciate, you are doing a great job. thanks