The first thing a foreign traveler needs to do is to make an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate office in his country. This interview is required if the traveler is age 14 to 79. The traveler also needs to fill out form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application form.
If the traveler is male between the ages of 16 and 45, or is from a state sponsor of terror (Iran, Syria, Cuba or Sudan) and is 16 or older, irregardless of gender, he also needs to fill out and submit form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application. This gives the U.S. more information about travel plans.
The traveler must have a valid passport from her country of origin. This passport must have a validity of six months after the scheduled departure date from the U.S.
All applications must have a 2-inch by 2-inch photograph. It must be a full-faced photo, taken in the previous six months. The head must be centered in the frame and should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches. The face should cover at least 50 percent of the photo. Only color photos taken against a white background are accepted
There may be several fees associated with an application. There is always an application fee, and the principal applicant also must pay a fraud and detection fee. Depending on whether the country of origin makes U.S. citizens pay for a visa, there may be a visa reciprocity fee in the same amount.
