Applying for a U.S. visa can be a cumbersome process, often causing significant stress and leading many to take unnecessary detours. To assist you, we have compiled the most comprehensive guide to U.S. visa applications for your reference.
I. Documents required for scheduling a U.S. visa interview:
1. Copy or scan of the applicant's passport information page
2. The "U.S./Canada Application Form" completed by the applicant
3. Electronic version of the photograph
4. Copy of both sides of the national ID card
5. Visa fee
II. U.S. Visa Consular Districts/Addresses
1. Beijing Consular District: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Hubei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Ningxia.
Address: No. 55 Anjialou Road, Beijing, Postal Code: 100600
2. Guangzhou Consular District: Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian.
Address: Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (near Exit B1 of Zhujiang New Town Station on Metro Line 3 or 5)
3. Shenyang Consular District: Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang.
Address: No. 52 Shisihwei Road, Heping District, Shenyang, Postal Code: 110003
4. Chengdu Consular District: Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Chongqing, Tibet.
Address: No. 4 Lingshiguan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, Postal Code: 610041
5. Shanghai Consular District: Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang.
Address: 8th Floor, Plaza 66, No. 1038 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai, Postal Code: 200041
III. U.S. B1/B2 Visa - Required Documents (Interview Required):
Passport
1. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the U.S. and must contain at least 2 complete blank visa pages, excluding the remarks page.
2. Old-style passports must be signed by the holder on the last page.
Photograph
1. Photo dimensions: The photo must be square, 51x51 mm, with a white background, in color, without a head covering, and with ears visible. Glasses may be worn if there is no reflection on the lenses. The photo must not be digitally enhanced, no colored contact lenses should be worn, and the expression should be neutral and natural.
2. Head size: From the top of the head (including hair) to the bottom of the chin, the head must occupy 50% to 70% of the total height of the photo. The height from the bottom of the photo to the eye level must occupy 55% to 70% (approximately 2/3) of the total height.
3. The minimum photo size is 600x600 pixels (height x width), and the maximum size is 1200x1200 pixels (height x width).
Note: The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must be used for the first time. Please do not submit a photo used for a previous U.S. visa application.
Original National ID Card
Household Register (Hukou)
The entire family's household register. If the spouse and children are not in the same household register, please provide the household registers of the spouse and children as well.
Marital Status Proof
1. For married individuals, please provide a marriage certificate.
2. For divorced individuals, please provide a divorce certificate or court mediation document.
3. If documents are lost, relevant proof must be issued by the local police station/Civil Affairs Bureau.
Family Portrait/Other Photos
1. Family portrait; the more people included, the better.
2. Photos taken abroad, especially in developed countries such as those in the Americas, Europe, Australia, or Japan (with local landmarks). If you have photos with travel companions who are also planning to travel to the U.S. with you this time, it is recommended to bring them.
Property Ownership Proof
1. Original property deed;
2. If the property deed is being processed, you may bring the purchase contract and purchase invoice.
3. You may provide property under your own name, your spouse's name, or a family member's name, but you must bring proof of the relevant kinship.
Vehicle Ownership Proof - Motor vehicle title or registration certificate
Financial Proof
1. Bank statements for current savings accounts, salary cards, or other bank cards:
① Must have a good transaction record and the account must have been opened for at least six months.
② The statement must clearly show the cardholder's name and card number, and be stamped with the bank's seal;
③ The statement must show transaction records for the month of the visa application;
④ It is recommended to have a balance of over 100,000 RMB; the higher, the better;
2. Fixed deposit passbook or certificate of deposit
3. Relevant proof issued by a bank for purchased securities, stocks, government bonds, wealth management products, etc.
Old Passports
1. Please bring your old passport(s), especially those with good visa records.
2. If you have visited the U.S. before, you must bring the passport containing the U.S. visa page, including expired passports (old passports).
Employed Individuals ①
Business License/Organization Code Certificate
1. Copy of the business license of the applicant's employer, photocopied on A4 paper, with annual inspection records, and stamped with the company's red seal.
2. Copy of the organization code certificate of the applicant's employer, photocopied on A4 paper, with annual inspection records, and stamped with the company's red seal.
Note:
1. You only need to provide either the business license or the organization code certificate.
2. If the applicant is a corporate legal representative or a senior executive, please bring the original document.
3. It is recommended that corporate legal representatives provide company tax returns (for the last 3-6 months).
Employed Individuals ②
Employment verification letter issued by the applicant's employer
1. Employment verification letter in both Chinese and English.
2. Printed on the company's official letterhead and stamped with the company's red seal.
3. The content of the employment verification letter must include: company name, applicant's name, position and income, travel dates, and a statement guaranteeing that the applicant will return to their home country on time. It must also include the position, signature, and telephone/fax number of the person in charge.
4. If you cannot provide an "employment verification letter," please provide 4 sheets of blank company letterhead paper stamped with the company's red seal.
Employed Individuals ③
1. Business card 2. Employee ID/work badge 3. Corporate culture brochure
Employed Individuals ④
Professional Qualification Certificate
If the applicant is in a highly specialized industry such as a lawyer, accountant, teacher, doctor, nurse, etc., please bring relevant certificates or licenses.
Retired Individuals
Professional Qualification Certificate
1. Retirement certificate;
2. Pension passbook or retirement salary card statement.
Students
1. Birth certificate
2. Student ID/student card
3. Leave of absence certificate: If the expected date of travel to the U.S. is not during a holiday period, you must provide a leave of absence certificate issued by the school, in both Chinese and English. The content must include: school name, address and telephone number, student's major or class, duration of leave, etc., and must be signed by the principal or the leader granting the leave, and stamped with the school's official seal.
4. If the applicant is 14 years of age or older but has no source of income and is applying for a visa independently, they must also provide:
① Employment verification letters from both parents' employers. These must be printed on the company's official letterhead (in Chinese and English), signed by a company leader, include a contact telephone number, and be stamped with the company's red seal. The content must include: the sponsor's position and salary, the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, and a statement that the sponsor will cover the applicant's travel expenses.
② Copies of the business licenses (or organization code certificates) of both parents' employers, stamped with the official seal.
③ Financial proof under the parents' names
④ Property and vehicle ownership proof under the parents' names
Homemakers/Unemployed Individuals
Need a statement from a spouse or immediate family member confirming they will cover the travel expenses:
The statement of sponsorship for travel expenses refers to a document issued by a financially capable spouse or immediate family member, printed on the company's official letterhead, signed by a leader, including a contact telephone number, and stamped with the company's red seal. The content must include: the sponsor's position, salary, the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, and a statement that the sponsor will cover the applicant's travel expenses.
Freelancers
① Stock traders: provide stock transaction statements;
② Landlords: provide property rental contracts and income proof;
③ Photographers/painters/writers: provide their own works and income proof;
④ Language teachers/musicians: provide qualification certificates and income proof;
⑤ Online store owners: provide Alipay or other account statements, etc.
Business Visa
Business invitation letter (must be prepared by yourself)
The invitation letter provided by the inviting party must include the inviting party's name, address, and contact telephone number; the invitee's name, date of birth, and passport number; the date and purpose of the visit to the U.S., and the duration of the stay.
Relationship Proof
1. Proof of the cooperative relationship with the inviting party
2. Contract with the inviting party (if any)
3. Transaction records with the inviting party (if any)
4. Emails with the inviting party (if any)
Family/Friend Visit Visa
Invitation Letter
The invitation letter provided by the inviting party (relative/friend in the U.S.) must include the inviting party's name, home address, contact telephone number, the relationship with the invitee, and the reason for the invitation; it must also state the invitee's name, date of birth, and passport number; the date of arrival in the U.S., the duration of the stay in the U.S., etc.
Inviting Party's Materials
1. If the inviting party holds a Green Card or a long-term residence card, please provide a copy;
2. If the inviting party is a student, provide the student's school enrollment certificate, a copy of the passport information page, and a copy of the student visa page;
3. If the inviting party is employed, provide an employment certificate, tax payment proof, a copy of the passport information page, and a copy of the work visa page;
4. If the inviting party is a U.S. citizen, provide a copy of the citizen's passport information page.