Are you planning a trip to the USA? Are you overwhelmed trying to navigate the visa application process?

Well, it can seem a bit confusing as there are so many protocols in place, but fear not. We have a guide to help you simplify the process. You just need to get organised, have your documentation in place, learn the rules set, plan the trip, book the tickets, get your travel insurance for the USA, and voila! You are all set for your vacation, study abroad program, or job.

What are the visa requirements for travelling to the United States of America?

Documents Required:

1.    Appointment Booking - You need to start by booking an appointment with the USA consulate. You can print the document and produce it on your scheduled date at the time of the appointment. Without this document, the visa application will not be considered.

2.    Passport - You need to have a valid passport when applying for a USA visa. Your current passport must be valid for the next 6 months, starting from the date of travel. Since processing the visa application for the USA takes a while, your passport must be valid for at least a year and a half when applying.

It must also have at least 2 blank pages available for stamping you in and out of the United States of America.

3.    Income Tax Returns (ITR) - If you are employed in a company or self-employed, you need to provide documents asserting the income tax return for the past 3 years. On the other hand, if you are a student, you can provide the income tax returns of your sponsor or guardian.

4.    Proof of Finances or Bank Statements - A document substantiating that you have enough money in your bank account. It is basically to ensure that you do not suffer from financial setbacks on your trip and that you can support yourself without the government’s intervention throughout the duration of your trip to the USA.

Bank Statements, Income Tax documents, and pay receipts from your current employer are all acceptable documentation for proof of your financials.

5.    Travel Itinerary - A document showing the dates of your travel, flight identification numbers of your travel to and from the United States, and details of any layover flights along the way. If you require a visa for any of those layovers, it is best to provide those details, too.

6.    Any previous visa - To demonstrate a healthy appreciation of the rules of visa, carry any previous ones that you may have. It may be from your past travels to the USA or to any other country where you applied for a visa and travelled formerly. The authorities may check the dates to confirm your compliance with the visa validation.

7.    Cover Letter - Unlike a cover letter for jobs, this letter must explicitly indicate the details of the traveller(s). Aside from the itinerary, the cover letter will also include the intent of the trip and the specifics of your travel within the United States.

8.    Letter of Employer (if applicable) - If you are employed in a company, you must produce a letter with the company’s letterhead that states no objection. It must also include details that you are on an approved leave from work and will be returning as per the dates provided in your itinerary. If it is a company trip, then the intent must be stated in the letter along with the contact details of your POC or employer.

9.    Letter from School or College (for students) - If the traveller is a student, be it you or the person for whom you are filling out the application, you need to provide a letter from their school or university (college). This letter must explicitly prove that the student is registered to continue their education after their return from the United States and that they are in a good position to take a leave of absence. The letter must be accompanied by a No-objection certificate from the school or university.

10.    Business License (if applicable) - If you are self employed, you need to provide your business license to prove of your current employment situation and an indication that you plan to return to your home country. This will be along with the bank statements of the past 6 months and yout income tax returns.

11.    Proof of retirement (if applicable) - If you are a retired individual, you may provide the details of your retirement fund as proof of finances.

12.    Proof of return to your home country - Documents proving that you intend to return to your home country and a good reason to do so. This can be a letter from your employer, proof of immediate family through photographs and certificates, proof of assets, etc. This is just to ensure that you do not overstay after the validity of your visa expires.

13.    Photograph - You will need a recent photograph of the traveller, whether it is you or a family member taking the trip. The picture should have been clicked within 6 months of applying for a USA visa, be it a tourist visa, i.e., B-1 or B-2, or an H-1B Work Visa, or a F-1 student visa. The face of the traveller must be distributed over 5-60% of the photograph, and the backdrop should be a solid white or other light color, plain and without any refractions.

If the visa application is for a family trip, then photographs of all the family members will be required. The patriarch or matriarch will need to provide the other documents and prove the dependency of family members through marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. An international travel insurance is not compulsory during the visa application. However, it is further financial proof that the traveller can sustain themselves during the trip, so consider getting one beforehand, or you can apply for it after your visa is approved.

Conclusion

Applying for a USA Visa is not that difficult after all. Yes, the processing time takes a while and collecting the necessary letters can be a bit challenging, but the overall system will be a lot easier now. You can make a checklist of the points above and go through them one step at a time for a hassle-free visa application for the USA.
 

FAQ

1.    What happens if I travel to the USA without a valid travel insurance?

If you do not have travel insurance for USA when you leave your home country, you cannot apply for one later. That means, if there is a medical emergency, treatments, or loss of baggage, documents, etc., you are not covered. Therefore, it is always best to get a travel visa for USA before reaching the immigration centre at your home country, before taking off.

2.    Is travel insurance for the USA mandatory for the visa application?

No, travel insurance for the USA is not mandatory when filing the Visa Application, especially for a B1 or B2 visa. However, after the visa application, it is advised to acquire travel insurance before leaving for the USA as the costs of medical bills could be humongous given the difference in currency.

It is best to get travel insurance after applying for the Visa before you leave your home country since it cannot be purchased once you run into a mishap. You will end up paying lacs in bills, fines, and fees without travel insurance in place.

3.    Do I need to specify my intent of travel when applying for a USA Visa?

Yes, you absolutely need to transparently indicate your intent of travel as well as your dates of travel when applying for a USA visa.

4.    How long will it take to get a USA Visa?

It can take almost 10 months to get a USA visa from India.

5.    Is COVID-19 covered in my travel insurance for the USA?

Yes, since the dawn of the epidemic, COVID-19 coverage has been included in your travel insurance for USA.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.