Required Documents
Documents that are required for a successful visa interview
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:
General Documents:
- Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
- Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
- Form I-20 – Your school will send you a Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Your spouse and/or minor children, if they intend live in the United States with you, will each receive an individual Form I-20.
Academic Documents:
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools, colleges and universities you attended.
- Standardized test scores such as GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, ETC.
Financial Documents:
How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs?
A prospective student must have financial evidence showing that they or a sponsor has sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. Evidence of financial ability includes but is not limited to:
- Family bank statements.
- Documentation from a sponsor.
- Financial aid letters.
- Scholarship letters.
- Letter from an employer showing annual salary.
- Bank Loan – Loan approval letter from financial institutions (Bank, NBFC, etc.)
Important Document to Submit:
Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study.
U.S. regulations require the consular officer who considers your visa application to assume that you want to immigrate to or remain permanently in the U.S. In order to qualify for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must prove that your visit to the U.S. will be temporary in nature and that you will return to your country after the completion of your activities here. Consular officers call this “non-immigrant intent.” The way you can try to prove your non-immigrant intent is by giving the consular officer documents that indicate that you have strong ties to your country. The stronger your financial, employment, or family ties to your country, the more likely it is that the consular officer will believe that you intend to return home.
read more about how to prove non-Immigration Intent