Core Eligibility (All Visa Categories)

• Valid Passport: Usually 6+ months validity beyond intended stay, with blank pages.
• Clear Purpose: Your planned activities must match the visa category you choose.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements/salary/sponsorship sufficient for trip costs.
• Ties to Home Country: Stable job/studies/business, family, property, or obligations.
• Clean Records: No disqualifying criminal, immigration, or security issues.
• Accurate Forms: DS-160/DS-260 (as applicable) with consistent, truthful information.
• Photograph: Meets U.S. visa photo specs (recent, correct size/background).

Visitor (B1/B2) Eligibility

• Short, well-defined itinerary for tourism, family visits, meetings, or medical care.
• Evidence of employment/study/business and leave approval (if applicable).
• Funding for flights, stay, insurance, and daily expenses (self or genuine sponsor).
• History of timely exits from previous international trips helps significantly.

Student (F/M/J) Eligibility

• Official admission (I-20 for F/M, DS-2019 for J) with correct program dates.
• Proof of tuition + living costs for at least the first academic year.
• Academic readiness (transcripts, tests if required) and intent to maintain full-time study.
• Plan to depart after studies unless legally changing/adjusting status.

Work (H/L/O and others) Eligibility

• Approved petition where required (e.g., I-129 approval notice).
• Qualified role and credentials that match the offered position.
• Proof of employer, salary, and ongoing non-immigrant intent (unless dual-intent applies).
• Prior compliance with U.S. immigration laws strengthens credibility.

Medical Treatment Eligibility

• Diagnosis letter + treatment plan from a U.S. hospital/doctor.
• Proof of funds/insurance for procedures and recovery stay.
• Realistic timeline and post-treatment plan; attendant may need a separate visa.

Financial Proof: What Works

• Recent bank statements (3–6 months) with healthy, explainable balances.
• Salary slips, tax returns, business registration (for entrepreneurs).
• Scholarship/assistantship letters (students) or company sponsorship (business trips).
• Avoid large last-minute deposits without documentation—they raise questions.

Ties to Home Country: How to Show Them

• Employment letter with role, tenure, and approved leave dates.
• Enrollment certificates, fee receipts, or exam timetables for students.
• Property/lease papers, dependent family documentation where relevant.
• Return/onward tickets and a realistic, time-bound itinerary.

Security, Medical & Consistency Checks

• Disclose arrests/convictions truthfully; misrepresentation can cause permanent ineligibility.
• Medical/vaccination requirements may apply to specific categories.
• Keep names, dates, and employment/study history consistent across forms and documents.

Interview Readiness (if required)

• Be concise: who you are, why you’re going, who pays, when you return.
• Carry only relevant documents; quality beats quantity.
• Answer from your own case—avoid generic “templates” that don’t fit your facts.

Eligibility — Frequently Asked Questions