The nonimmigrant visa application form DS-160 must be completed electronically before attending the visa application appointment at the consulate. After completing the electronic application you must print the confirmation page containing a barcode. You cannot enter the U.S. consulate without this page. The form is available online through the U.S. Department of State website travel.state.gov.
One passport-style photograph measuring 2 inches by 2 inches is required at the time of application. The photo must be an original and not digitally reproduced. The subject in the photo must be squarely facing the camera without any obstructions covering the face. Hats, sunglasses, face scarves and uniforms are not permitted. Religious head coverings are permitted if they do not cover any part of the face.
The applicant must present, at the time of the application appointment, a valid original passport with at least six months remaining validity past the intended stay in the United States.
It is the right of the interviewing consular officer to request evidence of your travel plans. Travel evidence is not a concrete requirement and can exist in multiple forms, including plane ticket reservations, train tickets, resort or hotel reservations, letters of invitation from friends or family or proof of registration at at a conference or event.
A consular officer may request to view your evidence of financial support while visiting the United States. Financial evidence includes bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of assets or a letter from an individual or institution in the United States claiming financial support for you during your stay.
Intent to return is also an ambiguous requirement to prove and can be presented in a variety of ways. A consular officer may require you to prove your intent to leave the United States and return to your home country. Proof includes strong family connections, assets such as a house, business, property or cars or a letter from your employer stating that you are established in a company or work place.
All applicants must schedule an application appointment online with the a U.S. consulate general or the U.S. embassy that has jurisdiction over their region of residence. Appointment wait times vary greatly by country. Schedule your appointment well ahead of your departure, as many consulates are booked two to three months out. As of December 2010, the nonimmigrant visa application fee was $140. Additional visa-issuance fees may be required depending on your country of origin. The non-immigrant visa fee must be paid at an approved financial institution before the application interview. Consult the website of your nearest U.S. consulate general for a list of approved financial institutions. You must retain a receipt of payment to show as proof at your interview.
