List of documents for a visa to the United States

If you wish to obtain permission to enter the United States, it is essential to know what is required to obtain a U.S. visa. Once you are aware of the necessary documents for obtaining an American visa, consider that you have already completed 50% of the application process.

Primary List of Documents for Obtaining a U.S. Visa

1. Foreign passport. It must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the United States and at least six months beyond the intended period of travel (this requirement does not apply to those seeking to obtain an immigrant visa). Before traveling, ensure that your passport has blank pages for a new visa (at least 2 pages).
2. Visa application form (in electronic format). Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you will need to complete:

• Form DS-160 – for all types of non-immigrant visas, except for categories A and G, which are for members of diplomatic missions and government officials, as well as for Ukrainian citizens seeking to obtain a K3 visa;
• Form DS-1648 – for diplomats, government officials, and NATO members;
• Form DS-260 – for certain types of immigrant visas.

DS-160 forms are completed online, and only the printed pages with a unique barcode are submitted to the embassy. The DS-260 form is completed in the same manner.

1. Photo (1 piece) sized 50×50 mm or 2×2 inches. You can find more details about photo requirements on our website in the relevant section.
2. Copies of the Ukrainian national passport. Only copies of the first pages of the document and the page with registration are submitted to the embassy. Such documents are mandatory for all types of non-immigrant visas.
3. Receipt of payment of the consular fee. The original or a copy of the financial document is submitted to the embassy.

Important! Additionally, for children, copies of the birth certificate and a parental consent statement for departure from Ukraine are required. Pensioners, in addition to the main list of documents, will need to provide copies of their pension book. For citizens who are temporarily unemployed, a copy of the sponsor’s foreign passport and a statement from the sponsor agreeing to cover all applicant expenses must be attached to the main document package.

List of Documents for Obtaining a U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa (Tourist, Work, Student, Visitor)

1. Copies of booked airline tickets (or a copy of the tour).
2. Documents confirming temporary accommodation in the United States for the entire duration of the trip. Such documents may include: hotel reservations or information about the residence of your relatives/friends where you will be staying (house number, street, contacts of relatives/friends).
3. Documentary evidence of your return to your home country. Such documents may include:

• documents confirming ownership of property or real estate in Ukraine;
• marriage and birth certificates;
• employment certificate for a U.S. visa, indicating your position (employment certificate for a U.S. visa);
• other documents that confirm your ties to your home country.

1. Issued insurance. The U.S. embassy does not specify a standard insurance amount, so you can issue the document for any amount.
2. Employment contract or invitation from the employer (for work visas). The contract or invitation must include all necessary details and contact information for embassy staff to contact the employer.
3. Certificate of enrollment from an American university (for students).

List of Documents for a U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa Category R (Religious Visa)

1. Form I-129 petition number. Form I-129 must be approved before the specified date for document submission (i.e., it must be submitted at least six months before the intended departure date). This document is prepared and submitted to the U.S. USCIS by your employer.
2. Certificate from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. This document should indicate that the religious organization is fully exempt from taxes.
3. Letter from an authorized representative of the U.S. religious organization. In this notification, the representative must state that you are indeed affiliated with the religious organization abroad and have the rights and appropriate education to perform duties as a clergy member. The letter should also include all necessary contacts and addresses of the organization.

Documents for a U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa Category I (for Journalists)

1. Invitation to the country. This notification should state the purpose of the trip.
2. International standard identification (issued by a professional journalists’ union).

Documents for Obtaining a U.S. Visa Category C1 (for Transit)

1. Visa to the final destination country (issued in advance).
2. Copies of airline tickets or other travel documents indicating your exact route.
3. Other documents and papers confirming that you will be in the United States for a few days.

Documents for Visa Category C1/D (for Crew Members)

1. Crew member identification (original/copy).
2. Crew list.
3. Valid contract (for the entire duration of the voyage/flight).

Documents Required for Obtaining a U.S. Visa (Category E2)

1. Cover letter. This document should include:

• company name;
• description of the company’s activities;
• proof of an active business;
• specific investment amounts according to 9 FAM 41.51 N10;
• proof that you hold a managerial position in the company.

1. Documentary evidence that your business will not incur financial losses:

• business plan with market and competition analysis;
• W-2 or 1099S forms for the last year;
• sales and loss reports.

1. Documents detailing the company’s organizational structure.
2. Completed form DS-156E.
3. Your resume or brief autobiography (you may use the standard form G-325A).
4. Proof of ownership documents:

• documents confirming that you own a certain percentage of company shares (at least 50%);
• company registration certificates.

1. Copies of the financial statement for the last year or the company’s status report.
2. Copies of lease agreements and inventory documents (for startups).
3. Copies of payment agreements (if you are purchasing a business).

Documents for Obtaining a U.S. Immigrant Visa and K Visa Categories

1. Medical examination certificate.
2. Military ID (for those subject to military service).
3. Police certificate.
4. Invitations from companies or individuals.
5. Proof of financial support I-134 and tax returns form W-2 (for those planning to obtain a fiancé(e) visa).
6. Any evidence of a relationship with the inviting party (for obtaining a fiancé(e) visa):

• photographs showing you together;
• printed electronic or postal letters.

You can always find out more about what is needed to obtain an American visa from our company’s staff during a consultation!

Additional Documents for Obtaining an American Visa

List of documents for a U.S. visa that may be additionally required:

1. Form I-600 petition as additional proof that the orphan is a relative.
2. Form DS-1981 statement for waiver of mandatory vaccinations for an adopted child (written in cases where the child is under 10 years old).
3. Form DS-117 statement (for those seeking to reapply for permanent residence in the United States).
4. Form DS-3035 statement for waiver of the two-year residency requirement in the United States.
5. Forms I-864A, I-864EZ, I-864W (additional evidence of financial support).

Important! When applying for an American visa of almost any category, our company recommends that you, as our future client, carefully check all documents before submission and not submit fraudulent documents! According to Article 221 G, a U.S. visa may be denied if you are suspected of fraudulent activity.

Only experienced visa managers can provide you with a complete list of documents for a U.S. visa. We can prepare the necessary document package for you and verify its compliance with all the rules and requirements of the American embassy. With us, you can be guaranteed to obtain the desired U.S. visa without worrying about denial due to improperly prepared documents.