B1/B2 visa documents checklist for Indian applicants

What to carry to your US visitor visa biometrics and interview from India, for salaried, self-employed, students, parents visiting children and business travellers.

For a B1/B2 visitor visa, the only documents you’re required to bring are a handful of forms. Everything else is supporting evidence: useful if the officer asks, and often never looked at. This checklist covers both, with extra sections for common situations.

Check the US Embassy in India’s visa pages before your appointment, as requirements change. For the full application process, see our step-by-step B1/B2 guide.

Mandatory: carry these to biometrics and the interview

Document	Notes
Passport	Valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Bring old passports too, especially any with previous US or other visas.
DS-160 confirmation page	Only the confirmation page, not the full form. It gets stamped at biometrics; bring that stamped copy to the interview.
Appointment confirmation	From the scheduling portal, showing both appointments.
A government photo ID	Such as Aadhaar or a driving licence, in case it’s checked at entry.

A photo is usually captured at the VAC, but carrying a recent US-visa-size photo (5 × 5 cm, white background) costs nothing.

Useful if asked: for everyone

The officer is checking that your trip is temporary, that you can afford it, and that you have reasons to come back. In our analysis of 94 first-hand B1/B2 interview reports, the most common topics were purpose (89%), current job (68%), travel history (57%), family (51%) and income (41%). Bring evidence for those:

Proof of employment: an employment letter stating your role, salary, joining date and approved leave for the trip.
Salary slips for the last 3 months.
Income tax returns (ITRs) for the last 2 to 3 years.
Bank statements for the last 6 months.
A rough itinerary: cities, dates and where you’ll stay. Flight and hotel bookings aren’t required.
Proof of ties if you have them: property documents, marriage certificate, children’s school details.

If you’re visiting family or friends

An invitation letter or email from your host is optional. It can help, but it isn’t required.
A copy of your host’s status document: their US passport, green card, or visa and I-20/I-797. Know what they do, which visa they hold and how long they’ve lived there. “What visa is he on?” is one of the most common follow-ups.
If your host is paying: their letter of support and income proof (recent pay stubs or tax return).

If you’re self-employed or own a business

Business registration (GST certificate, partnership deed or company incorporation).
Business ITRs and your personal ITRs for 2 to 3 years.
Business bank statements for 6 months.
Be ready to say what the business does, its annual turnover, and who runs it while you’re away.

If you’re a student

A letter from your college confirming enrolment and that you’re on vacation during the trip.
Your parents’ income proof and bank statements if they’re paying.
Latest marksheet or ID card.

If you’re a parent visiting your children in the US

Your child’s status documents: a copy of their visa and I-20 or I-797, or their green card or US passport.
Their employment letter or student enrolment, and an invitation letter if they’re hosting you.
Your own pension, income or savings proof, and property documents if you have them.
Previous US visas and travel stamps, if you’ve visited before and returned on time.

If you’re travelling for business (B1)

An invitation letter from the US company, stating the purpose, dates, and who pays.
An employer letter explaining why you’re going, confirming you stay on the Indian payroll and will return.
Conference registration and agenda, if attending one.
Make sure nothing describes the trip as working for a US employer. Meetings, conferences and negotiations are fine; productive work in the US is not.

How to organise them

One clear plastic folder: mandatory documents in front, supporting evidence behind.
Printouts only. Phones and electronics aren’t allowed inside.
Know your key numbers without looking: salary, trip dates, cost, who’s paying.
Don’t offer documents unprompted. Answer the question; hand over a document only when asked.

Related checklists

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