What should you carry to your US student visa interview? No list fits everyone, because every applicant's story is different. But there is a simple rule: bring the documents every student needs, plus the originals that back up what you wrote on your DS-160. Here is what that usually means for a student in Ghana.
This list is a starting point, not the full list for every case. Your situation may call for more.
Always check your appointment letter and the embassy's instructions too.
1. The documents every student needs
These are checked on the day, some of them more than once. See what happens on interview day for where each one is asked for.
- Passport
- Form I-20
- Appointment confirmation
- SEVIS fee receipt: the I-901 payment confirmation from fmjfee.com. How to print it.
- DS-160 confirmation
- Passport picture, 2 × 2 inches (about 5 × 5 cm)
2. Your admission and how you are paying
- Admission letter from your school.
- Scholarship letter, if you have a scholarship.
- Sponsorship letter, if someone is sponsoring your studies.
3. Proof of what you wrote on your DS-160
The officer has your DS-160 answers. Bring the originals that support them, for example:
- University certificates, if you have a degree or diploma.
- SHS certificates, such as your WASSCE results.
- Birth certificate.
- Any other document behind an answer you gave on the form.
Go through your DS-160 one answer at a time and ask yourself: "If the officer asks about this, what can I show?" Whatever the answer is, bring it.
How to carry them
- Bring the originals.
- Use a clear bag, so your documents are easy to see and quick to take out.
- Keep the six must-haves on top, in the order above. They are the ones you will be asked for most.
Checklist
| Document | Bring it |
|---|---|
| Passport | Every student |
| Form I-20 | Every student |
| Appointment confirmation | Every student |
| SEVIS fee receipt | Every student |
| DS-160 confirmation | Every student |
| Passport picture (2 × 2 inches) | Every student |
| Admission letter | Every student |
| Scholarship letter | If you have a scholarship |
| Sponsorship letter | If someone is sponsoring you |
| University certificates | If you have them |
| SHS certificates | Good to have |
| Birth certificate | Good to have |
| Anything else behind your DS-160 answers | As your case needs |
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