Do you dream of traveling to the United States? The United States offers a wealth of experiences for all types of travelers. Before you can begin your trip, you’ll need to obtain a U.S. B2 visitor visa. A key step in the application process is gathering the necessary documents.
Applicants must prepare for their consular interview with the necessary documentation regarding the purpose of their trip. Below is a list of recommended documents for each visa type. To obtain the visa type you are applying for, you must demonstrate that you meet the legal requirements set by the United States.
Travel authorization for Business Visitor Visa (B1)
- Contract negotiations Consulting with business partners
- Liquidation of assets
- Attend professional conferences
- Advice from business partners
Travel permission on visitor visa (B2)
- Visiting friends and family
- Travel and Holidays
- Getting treatment
- Attend a social gathering
- Attending a non-professional performance
- Enroll in a short, non-credit course
Reasons for travel that are not permitted on a U.S. visitor visa
- Referenced Research Studies
- Job Opportunities
- A paid professional performance or a performance in front of an audience for which a fee is charged
- arrive as a crew member on a ship or aircraft
- U.S. Permanent Residency
- Careers in the International Media
Tourist Visa Application and Interview Documents
Once you are certain that you need a US visit visa, you will need to start gathering the documents required for your application.
There are two types of documents required for the US B1 visa application process: mandatory documents (documents required for all applicants applying for a visa) and supporting documents (documents that vary depending on the individual circumstances of your visit to the US).
The applicant has informed the US authorities that
- The purpose of the visit is short-term business or leisure and you intend to stay for a specific period of time.
- I have enough funds to cover my expenses while in the United States.
- You have a residence and other legally binding ties outside the United States that will ensure that you will leave the United States at the scheduled departure time of your visit.
Documents required for online application
Completing the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) is the first step in applying for a visitor visa to the United States.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to leave the United States.
- Travel schedules that assume you have previously booked travel.
- If you have traveled to the U.S. in the past, the dates of your last five visits or short trips to the U.S. Depending on your country of origin, you may also be asked about international travel in the past five years.
- You may be asked to include information about your past and current work experience on your resume or curriculum vitae.
- photograph.
Once you have completed your online nonimmigrant visa application, you will need to print out your application confirmation and bring it with you to your interview.
Visa Application Fee
Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of USD 160. If you are not asked to pay online, you will need to pay at the time of your interview. Pay the exact amount listed on the consulate’s website in USD or the equivalent amount in your local currency. It is also important to check in advance what payment methods are accepted.
Schedule an interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where you plan to submit your application. At the interview, you will be asked to show some additional documents.
Documents required for the interview
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the estimated period of your stay.
- Your old passport (the US State Department does not accept old passports as required documents, so we recommend you always have one ready)
- DS-160 application confirmation page
- Application fee receipt (if payment is required before the interview)
- You must bring one printed photograph that meets the requirements in case the digital photo upload fails while processing your DS-160 form.
Photo Requirements (for online applications and interviews)
- It must be in color.
- Head measurements range from 1 to 1 3/8 inches (22 to 35 mm).
- Recent (less than 6 months old).
- Photographed against a plain white background.
- The photo was taken with the face facing the camera.
- Both eyes should be open and the face should be expressionless.
- It is incorporated into the clothes we wear every day.
- Uniforms are not permitted.
- Hats and other head coverings are prohibited unless worn regularly and must not obscure the face.
- Wireless hands-free devices, headphones and similar products are prohibited.
- Glasses are no longer permitted.
Digital Photo Requirements for Online Nonimmigrant Visa Applications
- Color – Images should be in color (24 bits per pixel) in the sRGB color space, which is the standard output of most digital cameras.
- Dimensions – Your image must be square, with equal height and width, and have dimensions of a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels.
- Compression – To keep your images within the allotted file size, they need to be compressed. Ideally, the compression ratio should be 20:1 or less.
- File format – JPEG.
- File size – Must be 240 KB or less.
- If you use a scanned image, make sure the image measures 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) and has a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter).
Documents you need to bring to the interview
Depending on your destination and the purpose of your trip, you may be required to submit additional documents to the U.S. Consulate during your visa interview. These documents may include:
1) Proof of purpose of travel
- Round trip ticket details.
- An itinerary of where you plan to travel.
- Arranging hotel or other accommodation.
- Invitation letter (if visiting relatives or friends).
- Business cards or contact information for U.S.-based business contacts (if traveling for a short business trip).
- A copy of the invitation or brochure (if attending the event).
- An official letter from a U.S. doctor or hospital (if traveling for medical purposes).
2) Documentation proving your intention to leave the U.S. at the end of your trip
- Employment certificate from your place of residence
- Evidence of family ties in your country (such as a birth certificate for an infant or elderly person in need of assistance).
- Real estate records include property deeds, images of the property, and affidavits of individuals related to the property.
3) Proof of ability to cover all travel expenses
- A recent tax return or a recent tax return
- Latest bank statement
- Financial records such as taxpayer identification numbers, bonds, stocks, bank deposits, and life insurance plans.
- Proof of visitor’s health insurance showing that you have the financial means to cover unexpected medical expenses while in the United States.
- If you are unable to cover the full cost of your trip, you can prove that someone else will cover some or all of it. In this case, we will need copies of your ID, a letter of financial support from your guarantor, and other documents to prove your ability to pay for the trip.
Not all US consulates or embassies require the same documents when applying for a visitor visa. Make sure you bring all the necessary documents to your US visa appointment in Dubai, including your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, visa application fee receipt, and supporting documents verifying your travel itinerary and financial situation.
FAQ
1) What are the mandatory documents required to apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa to the United States?
To apply for a U.S. visitor visa, you will need a valid passport, a completed DS-160 form, a receipt for your visa application fee, and a passport-sized photograph.
2) Do I need to submit originals or copies?
You must submit original documents when required, but you should also bring copies of all documents to your visa interview. The U.S. Consulate or Embassy may ask you to see the originals.
3) Do I need a letter of invitation to get a US B2 visa?
Invitations are especially useful if you are visiting a friend or relative and should include information about the visit and the invitee’s status in the United States.
4) How do you show your connection to your home country?
You can prove your vital ties to your home country by showing proof of employment, property ownership, family ties, or other commitments that show you intend to return home after your leave in the United States.
5) What financial documents do I need to submit?
You will need to provide bank statements, employment verification, tax returns, or other documentation to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your expenses while in the U.S. If you have a separate sponsor for your trip, you will also need that sponsor’s bank records.
6) Do I need to provide my travel schedule to apply for a visa?
A detailed itinerary of your trip will help your application and should include an outline of your planned activities, accommodation options, and the length of time you wish to stay in the U.S.
