US Visitor Visa Document Checklist

Quick answer

For a US visitor visa (B1/B2), the core documents are a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay, your DS-160 confirmation page, the interview appointment confirmation, a compliant 2×2 inch photo, and the MRV fee receipt. Bring supporting proof of ties to your home country.

There is no single official list that covers every case. The consular officer decides your application based on how well you show you plan to return home. This guide walks through the documents most applicants prepare, so you can gather yours with confidence. Code X Elite helps you organize these papers. You still complete and submit your own application.

The core documents

These are the items the US visa process asks for directly. Get these right first before anything else.

• Passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States, unless a country-specific agreement exempts you. Check the expiry date now.
• DS-160 confirmation page. You complete the DS-160 form online, free, at ceac.state.gov. You sign and submit it yourself. After you submit, you get a confirmation page with a barcode. Print it and keep it.
• Interview appointment confirmation. After you schedule your interview, print the confirmation and bring it with you.
• One photo. A 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) color photo on a white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, with no glasses. See the photo section below.
• MRV fee receipt. This is proof you paid the visa application fee. The fee is 185 USD now and is set to rise to 205 USD on 30 May 2026. Confirm the current amount before you pay.

Always confirm the current requirements on the official site at travel.state.gov, because rules and fees change.

Supporting documents that strengthen your case

Beyond the core items, the officer assesses your nonimmigrant intent under section 214(b) of US immigration law. In plain terms, you need to show that you intend to visit and then return home. There is no fixed checklist for this. The documents below are the ones that commonly help applicants tell a clear story.

• Employment letter and pay evidence. A letter from your employer confirming your job, salary, and approved leave, plus recent pay slips.
• Bank statements and proof of funds. Recent statements that show you can cover the trip.
• Invitation letter. If you are visiting family or friends, a letter from your host with their details and address.
• Travel itinerary. Your planned dates, flights, and where you will stay. You do not need to buy tickets before the interview.
• Proof of ties to home. Anything that shows reasons to return: a stable job, property or a lease, family who depend on you, or ongoing studies.

Bring these in an organized folder. The officer may not ask for all of them, but having them ready shows you are prepared.

Photo requirements

Photo mistakes cause delays, so treat this carefully. The standard requirements are:

• Size 2×2 inch (51×51 mm), in color.
• Plain white or off-white background.
• Taken within the last 6 months, showing your current appearance.
• Full face, front view, with a neutral expression or a natural smile.
• No glasses. Remove them for the photo.
• No hats or head coverings, except those worn daily for religious reasons.

Some applicants upload the photo during the DS-160 step and also bring a printed copy. Check the latest photo rules on travel.state.gov before you print.

Common mistakes

Small errors send people back to the start. Watch out for these:

• Passport too close to expiry. Renew early if you are near the 6-month mark.
• Wrong or old photo. Glasses, a colored background, or a photo older than 6 months can get rejected.
• DS-160 details that do not match. The name and passport number on your form must match your passport exactly.
• Forgetting the confirmation pages. Bring both the DS-160 confirmation and the interview appointment confirmation.
• Thin proof of ties. Vague plans and no home-country evidence make it harder to show you will return.
• Paying the wrong fee. Confirm the current MRV amount before you pay, especially around the 30 May 2026 change.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official full list of documents I must bring? No. Beyond the core items, there is no official exhaustive list. The officer assesses your intent to return home under section 214(b), so supporting documents help but are not a fixed checklist.

How much is the visa application fee? The MRV fee is 185 USD now and is scheduled to rise to 205 USD on 30 May 2026. Always confirm the current fee on travel.state.gov before you pay.

Do I have to buy flight tickets before my interview? No. A planned itinerary is usually enough. Many applicants wait until the visa is approved before booking travel.

How Code X Elite can help

Code X Elite is a document-preparation service. We help you gather, check, and organize the papers on this checklist so your file is complete and clear. We are not lawyers and we do not give legal advice. You complete, sign, and submit your own application, and you attend your own interview. For official rules, always rely on travel.state.gov.

Ready to get organized? Learn more about our US visitor visa document service, read our how-to guide for the US visitor visa, or start your application prep with us today.