DS 160 Checklist - B1/B2 Visa Category

This post is for everyone applying for a US visa (non-immigrant) for the first time. As I've already submitted a form and attended the interview, I am particularly sharing this to ease the pressure buildup in these kind of procedures.

Disclaimer:
I am not an immigration lawyer or a consultant helping or guiding in form filling, but I'm here just to share what information I have and what I find appropriate. Please excuse me if you find any faults or flaws.(Every human is flawed so am I).

My knowledge is limited for US consulate in Singapore, so I would rather focus on what I know. Being an Expat in Singapore, I don't qualify for ESTA and I ought to go for an interview. For the Singaporeans who are eligible for ESTA, these steps wont be necessary.

1. To apply for a Visa to the USA from Singapore, you need to apply it through US Embassy in Singapore.
2. The page directly takes you to the non- immigrant visas and then you need to click on the Apply for a US visa link. You would be prompted to answer if its your first time applying for a visa or not. 3. Answer accordingly and then you would be redirected to a page which would allow you to choose the visa type(Immigrant/ Non-Immigrant)- Non-Immigrant if you are applying for a tourism visa.
4. You will next be redirected to this page.
5. Before going ahead with the 'Apply for a Visa', be sure to check out the Non-immigrant Visa Information provided in the website which includes Visa Types, Visa Fees, Bank and payment options, DS-160 information, Appointment wait times, Photos and fingerprints, Visa waiver programs and Security regulations.
6. Please go through the entire things listed, as its always good to be self informed.
7. Once you have read these things, I am sure you would be ready to fill the form.

Checklist before filling the DS-160:
First and foremost, fill out the form in your free and relaxed time as you do not want to make any mistakes. These things take time and most importantly patience, so gather the checklist and then sit down with a cup of coffee.

[DS-160 can be paused any time and can be saved and filled later (if you have to, any number of times), but I prefer to do this in one go]

1. Passport (Current and all old passports)
2. 2"X2" passport photograph.(Cheap way to take passport photographs in Singapore)
3. Travels plans/ Itinerary (If any)
4. Previous US visits. (If any mostly in the past 5 years, dates and visa types)
5. Last 5 years travel history to other countries. (Old passports may come handy for this)
6. Resume/ CV and Degree Certificates.(Past and present employment history and educational qualifications are to be filled in detail)
7. US contact details (their visa type, residential address, employment and relation to you)
(If applicable, even if they are sponsoring you or not)
8. Parents DOB and residence.
9. Finally a positive mindset, serene surroundings and a 'Do it' attitude.

Few commonly aroused doubts:
1. You need not book a flight before you obtain a visa. In fact even the Embassy website encourages you to book a flight once a visa is confirmed and not before.
2. A tentative itinerary with tentative dates is sufficient, no need to go ahead and book the hotels. It will never impact the visa outcome.
3. Be true about what you are filing, there should be no discrepancy. The more honest and straightforward things you fill in the form, the more confident you would be to face the Visa Officer(VO).
4. Make sure to save the application before submitting it, it would help you to go through what you have filled before the interview.
5. It is not compulsory to have a sponsor. If you have sufficient bank balance, you can self sponsor your trip. Nothing guarantees a visa.
6.  Even if you are applying as a family or as a group, each individual has to have a separate DS-160.

Once you are ready with the checklist, go ahead and fill the DS-160 form.

Check my other post DS-160 Step by Step with Instructions & Visa Interview.