A US Visa interview is so important, so in this article, I’m going to go through with you the five things that you have to bring with you to that interview if you want to get an approval. Do not forget them at home.
Hi, and thank you for joining me to talk US immigration. My name is Andrea Sheev. If you don’t know me already, I am the managing attorney at Sheev Group in Los Angeles, California. I’ve been doing immigration law for over 20 years now, so I put together this blog to give you clear, concise, and easy-to-understand information about all different types of immigration topics. But in this post, we are going to go through the five critical and important documents that you need to bring with you to that US visa interview, or you are not going to get that approval. So make sure you listen up, take note, and do not forget them the day of your interview. Let’s get into this.
1. Appointment Notice
The first thing that you must remember to bring with you to your interview is your appointment notice. It is the notice that they give you that has all the details you need for the day of your appointment. It’s going to have the location, it’s going to have the time, it’s going to have everything that you need so you can get inside that consulate on the day of your interview.
If you forget that notice, they’re most likely not going to let you in. Also, on that interview notice, there is critical information about what you must bring. In the past, that appointment notice didn’t have so much information, but more and more, the consulates are actually putting on that notice very important information to let you know what you need to bring, what time you need to be there, and instructions on what you cannot bring in, like certain cell phones or items not allowed in the consulate. So make sure as soon as you make that appointment, you print it off and put it in a safe place so you do not forget it the day of your interview.
2. DS-160 Confirmation Page
The second document you must remember is to bring your DS-160 confirmation page. That is the document at the very end of your DS-160 application. They will say, “Please print,” or “Here you can print the DS-160 confirmation page.” Click that, print it, save it, and put it in a safe place so you have it to bring with you the day of your interview.
Make sure that on the very last question of that DS-160 application that asks where you’re going for your interview, you put the correct city and entry there that matches the appointment notice. If they don’t match, there’s going to be a big problem when you show up for your interview, and your DS-160 says you’re going to one place while your appointment notice says you’re supposed to be at a different place. Make sure the country and city you mark on your DS-160 application, which will show up on your DS-160 confirmation page, are the same.
3. Valid Passport
The third item is your passport. It sounds obvious, but many people, in their nerves and excitement, forget to bring the most important document—their passport. So don’t forget it. Put it in a safe place with your other documents so you don’t forget it.
Make sure it is not expiring very soon, as that will not qualify you to get the visa in it. Check the expiration date. If you need a new one before your interview, make sure you do that now. If you completed your DS-160 application using an old passport number because you didn’t have the new one in time, that’s fine. Just make sure you bring the one you used on the DS-160 application and the new one to your interview. When they approve you, you will give them the unexpired one, the brand new one, for the visa.
4. US-Style Passport Photos
The fourth important item is two US-style passport photos. Make sure they are US-style, not the style of your country of origin. Follow the directions on the photo size, background, and how your face should appear. If they’re wrong, it could delay everything.
Even if you uploaded a picture on your DS-160 application, bring physical photos. Sometimes, if the uploaded photo doesn’t work, having the physical photos is a backup. Don’t forget them, even if your country takes photos at the consulate. It’s always good to have two extra ones at your interview.
5. Approval Notice
The fifth item is your approval notice. Not every person will have an approval notice. For example, if you’re applying for a visitor visa, you won’t have one. But for visas like H-1Bs, O’s, and P’s, you will need the approval notice. Even though they upload this into a system, bring a copy of your approval notice to your interview just in case.
It doesn’t have to be an original, but at least bring a copy to avoid delays if their system hasn’t uploaded it yet or if they ask to see it.
If you are a dependent of a principal applicant, bring the document that proves your relationship. If you’re the child of the applicant, bring your birth certificate—original or certified copy. Also, bring a copy of the principal applicant’s visa and, if possible, their approval notice. If you are applying separately, this is essential.
Reciprocity Fees
Lastly, check if there are reciprocity fees for your visa. These fees vary by visa type and country. Ensure you know how to pay the fee—whether by credit card, money order, or through a bank—so you’re not caught off guard, which could cause delays.
Conclusion
I hope this information was helpful. Thank you for joining me to talk about immigration today. I look forward to seeing you in the next post.
