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USAVisitorVisaVisitorDocuments
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USAVisitorVisaVisitorDocuments
ThefollowingdocumentsareneededforavisitorsvisaforUnitedStates.Thereisnoguaranteethatthevisawill
be issued even if you bring all the documents and evidence. Present only valid documents. Fraud or
misrepresentationcanresultinpermanentineligibilityforaU.S.visa.
Youwillneedthefollowingdocumentsforgettingvisitorsvisa.
Mandatorydocuments
CurrentPassportaswellasoldoldpassports
Onephotograph
ConfirmationpageofonlinesubmittedFormDS160withCEACbarcode.
VisaFeeReceipt
FeestobepaidinadvanceattheBankbeforetakinganappointment.
Originalinterviewappointmentletter.
Sample
NonImmigrantIntent
ApplicantsforvisitorvisasmustshowthattheyqualifyundertheprovisionsoftheImmigrationandNationality
overcomethispresumptionbydemonstratingthat:
the purpose of their trip is to enter the United States temporarily for business or pleasure or medical
treatment
theyplantoremainforaspecific,limitedperiod
they have a residence outside the United States and the intent to return abroad at the conclusion of the
visit.
Theprimecriterionofissuanceofavisitorvisaiswhethertheapplicantconvincestheconsular officer that the
applicant truly intends to return to his/her home country after a temporary stay in the United States. It is
impossibletospecifytheexactformofsuchdocumentationaseachapplicant'scircumstancesvarygreatly.Each
applicant must keep in mind that the interview will focus on his or her credibility and not the documents
presented.
It is generally difficult for young people to present strong ties. In such as cases, the consular office may
considertheapplicant'seducationstatus/grades,longrangeplans,parents'status,prospectsinhomecountry,
previoustraveltoothercountriesetc.
Supportingdocuments
Most of your documents are for showing that you will return to the home country after your temporary stay in
theUnitedStates.e.g.,jobproof,propertyproof,bankaccounts,familytiesetc.
Please note that it is not mandatory that you must gather each and every document listed here. There is no
specificlistprescribedbythegovernment.However,themoredocumentsyoutake,thebetteritisforyou.
Photocopiesofthefirstpage,lastpageandremarkspagesofyourcurrentpassport.
SponsorshipDocuments
Applicantswhodonothavesufficientfundsoftheirowntosupportthemselvesduringtheirproposed
stayintheUnitedStatesmustpresentcredibleevidencetoshowthattheywillbesupportedthereby
someinterestedpersonsuchevidenceshouldreflectthetiesbetweenapplicant and sponsor which
form the basis for the latter's assurances of extending support. You should present all original
documentssenttoyoubyyoursponsorintheUSA.
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Ifsomeoneissponsoringyou,youdon'thavetoshowenoughfinancialmeansbyyourselftotakecare

of your expenses for your trip to the U.S. However, you should still take the property,

employment/professionalandfinancialdocuments,asdescribedbelow,tohelpyou prove the strong

tiestothehomecountry.

As much as possible, avoid getting the affidavit of support from people who own small businesses

such as gas stations, grocery stores or motels. Consular officers believe that these people employ

peopleillegallyandmayemployyoualsowhoissupposedtobegoingasatourist,andnotforwork.

Ifyouhavethephotographswithyouandthesponsorinthem,pleasecarrythem.

SelfSponsoredApplicants
Selfsponsored applicants may show evidence of financial resources through the property,

employment/professionalandfinancialdocuments,asdescribedbelow.

For parents visiting a child resident in the U.S., need to provide the documents listed in

'Identification,RelationshipandLegalStatusDocuments'sectioninsponsordocuments.

PropertyDocuments

YouhavearesidenceoutsidetheU.S.thatyoudonotintendonabandoning.Thiscanbeshownvia

deedstorealestate.Thesehelptopersuadetheconsularofficerthattheyouhavestrongtiestoyour

homecountryandislikelytoreturnthere.

ProofofpropertysuchasHouse,Shop,Godownetc.Taketheoriginalownershippapers.

Ifyouhavealoanonanyoftheseproperties,theoriginalpapersmaynotbewithyou.Inthatcase,

takewhateverdocumentsyouhave.

Also take the property estimate given by the Chartered Accountant that may include items such as
land,flat,jewelryetc.inadditiontotherealestateproperty.

Photographsofyourhouse,office,factory,shoporotherproperties.

Personal affidavit(s) regarding property. The business owners should show how much they earned

last year. Indicate ties such as you have old parents you need to take care of, you have one

unmarried son and you need to do arrangements for his arranged marriage after your return. Also

describingthenatureofthetripanddetailsoftheitineraryishelpful.

Sampleaffidavitforfather

Sampleaffidavitformother

Itisbettertomakeaseparateaffidavitforeachperson,ratherthanacombinedoneforbothofthem.

Theseaffidavitsshouldnotbeinstamppaper,butinsteadontheCA'sletterhead.

Employment/ProfessionalDocuments

If you are employed, get a letter from an employer that shows the details of your position, salary,

lengthofemployment,theperiodofauthorizedvacationandthepurposeofyourU.S.trip.Alsocarry

payslipsfromthemostrecentthreemonths.

Ifyouareretiredandgetapension,yourpensionbook.

Ifyouownabusiness,companyregistrationcertificateandincomedetails.

Ifrunningbusinessinpartnership,partnershipagreement.

Ifyouareemployedorhaveabusiness,yourvisitingcard(businesscard).

Ifyouholdanysocialorprofessionaldesignationsinthehomecountry,proofrelatedtothat.

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) letter and leave sanction letter if the applicant is in Government

serviceorwithanyoftheArmedForces.

Ifyouareemployedinaprivateplace,yourleavesanctionletter.

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SampleNoObjectionandLeaveSanctionLetter

If you hold any post or designation in professional, religious or fraternal organizations, proof of the

same.e.g.,lionsclubpresidentorsecretary,trusteeofthetempleetc.

FinancialDocuments

Latestincometaxreturnsforlast3years(i.e.,Form16orForm2D).Youshouldtakeoriginals.

Somepeoplepayincometaxonlyintheyearinwhichtheyareapplyingforthevisitorsvisa,even if

they never paid income tax in their entire life. They think that if they show that they are paying

incometax,theywillgetthevisa.Itisnotthatsimple.

Some bank balance for at least a few months before going for a visa. Please note that simple bank

lettersshowingsimplythebankbalanceisnotacceptable.Youhavetoalsotakethepastfew months

(say6months)ofstatementswithyou,orthepassbook.

Other financial papers e.g., bank fixed deposits, shares (demat account statements), life insurance

policies,bonds,etc.

FamilyDocuments

Familyphotographsofclosefamily.

Documentsaboutthefamily(e.g.,marriagecertificate,birthcertificatesofanychildren,etc.)

Yourfamilytreechartthatshowsyourcloserelatives'names,ages,professionsandtheaddresses.

If you are applying alone and if your spouse has been to the U.S. before, original passport of your

spouse,ifyourspouseiscurrentlynotvisitingtheU.S.

If you have traveled outside the home country in the past, your photographs taken during your

visit(s).

PriorU.S.VisitsDocuments

If you have traveled to the U.S. earlier on any visa and came back to your home country on time,

showtheproofasperstampsinyourpassportorcopiesofplaneticketsorboardingpasses.

IfyouhavebeentotheU.S.earlierandappliedforanextensionofstay,youmustpresentaFormI

797ExtensionofStatusApprovalNoticeduringyoursubsequentvisainterview.

IfanyofyourcloserelativeshavebeentotheU.S.andhavereturnedontime,proofofthesame.

Cover letter highlighting the nature of the visit, reason for travel, outline of your plans in the U.S. and

explaining why you will return to the home country (family ties, employment, or similar binding

obligations).Itshouldbepreferablywritteninbulletpointsandlessthan1page.

Sample

MajortouristplacesintheU.S.

Optionally, include letters of invitation from relatives or friends in the United States whom the applicant

plans to visit, confirmation of participation in group tours, an invitation to an event such as printed

weddinginvitationorinvitationtoattendagraduation,etc.

Forchildrenbelow14yearsofage,originalbirthcertificate,and,ifapplicable,parents'validvisas.

Birthcertificateormarriagecertificateofadultapplicantsisnotrequired.

TravelDocuments

Listofnames,addressesandphonenumbersofallthepersonswhom you are going to visit or stay

with.

AirTickets

Iftheyaskforareturnairticket,tellthemitwillbepurchasedafterthevisaisissued.Don'tshowa

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3/31/2017 USAVisitorVisaVisitorDocuments
onewayairticketinanycase.

VisitorMedicalInsurance

Iftheyaskforvisitorsmedicalinsurance,youcanpurchasefromInsubuy.Itisnotmandatorytoget

visitorsinsurancebeforegettingthevisitorsvisa,atleastinIndia.

Dependents joining their spouse on board ship need to carry their original marriage certificate and entire

weddingphotoalbumalongwiththespouse'svisacopy.

Criminal/court records pertaining to any arreset or conviction anywhere, even if you completed your

sentenceorwerelaterpardoned.

PurposeSpecificDocuments

Gathertheseadditionaldocuments,ifapplicable,forthespecificpurposeofyourvisit.

Additionaldocumentsforyoungpersons

Iftherearevariationsinthenamesindifferentdocuments,prepareoneandthesamepersonaffidavit.

Sampleoneandthesamepersonaffidavit

It is not possible to list all documents that anyone may need in any situation. Therefore, even if some

documentisnotlistedhere,andifyouthinkthatitwouldbehelpfultoshowyourgenuinepurposetovisit

theU.S.oritcanshowyourclosetiestothehomecountrythatwillforceyoutoreturn,pleasecarrythose

documents.

TwentyYearsValidityPassports
In1999and2000,theGovernmentofIndiaissuedsomepassportswith20yearvalidityperiods.Asmostofthe
countriesissuepassportswith10yearvalidity,thiswasunusual,andnotknowntomanyimmigrationofficers,it
causedproblemstothoseIndianswhentravelingabroad.

Contrary to the news in some Indian newspapers, 20 year passports are valid and recognized by the U.S.
government.

In March 2004, the Indian embassy advised people with 20 years validity passports to get it replaced by 10
yearsvaliditypassports,justtoavoidconfusionandhasslesduringtraveling.ItisnotmandatoryandtheIndian
embassyischangingthepassportsfreeofcost,exceptforapplicablemailingcharges.IndianPassportServices.
For people currently in India, persons holding Indian 20 year passports who wish to change them for 10 year
passportsshouldcontacttheIndianpassportofficedirectly.

Persons with a valid U.S. visa in their old passport may still use that visa by carrying both the old and new
passportwhentheytravel.Iftheydonotyethaveavisa,theirvisaisalreadyexpired,ortheirvisawillexpirein
the next year they are advised to make the change in passport before applying for their U.S. visa rather than
after. Persons who change their passport after making their visa interview appointment should bring the old
passportoraphotocopytothevisainterview.

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