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What to bring to your Visa Interview
 

All applicants for visas must submit the following when applying for a visa:

  • A current, valid passport, preferably machine readable.  If you have held previous passports please bring them on the day of the interview.
  • NIV/Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee: Every applicant for a non immigrant visa must pay the NIV/Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid whether or not a visa is granted. The fee is payable ONLY at the Embassy on the day of the visa appointment. No personal or company cheques will be accepted.
  • Passport Photograph: One recent, color photograph 2 inch x 2 inch (5 x 5 cm)on a plain background, front view, full face. Digital photos or laser copies are NOT accepted. Details of photo requirements. 
  • Application form DS-156. This form must be completed and signed by all applicants for all visa types. Failure to answer all questions on this form could result in significant delays. Parents or legal guardians of children under 14 years old should sign this form on their behalf.
  • Application form DS-157 to be completed by all male applicants aged 16-45 years.
  • Application form DS-158 to be completed by all J1, F1 and M1 applicants.

All male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also submit:

Additional and supporting documents:

You may be required to prove your social/economic, family and financial ties to Samoa or your country of residence. It may be necessary to provide some of the following documents:

  • Travel itinerary and purpose of trip;
  • Name, address & relationship of people you are visiting in US;
  • Letters of employment, business letter / conference details;
  • Proof of funds, ie. bank statements, ownership of property etc.

Please note that supporting documents can vary from person to person depending on your personal situation.

We suggest that you supply this information with your first application, instead of waiting until after you have been refused a visa.

Fees and Additional Fees

Some visas require additional fees.

If you are not traveling on a passport from New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, or Korea, you may have to pay an additional fee. These fees must be paid at the Consulate either by bank cheque or cash.

SEVIS Fee: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for F1 and J1 Visas.

The U.S. Consulate General accepts no liability for any documents lodged as part of a visa application. It is your responsibility to use a secure means of sending your application to us and for ensuring its safe return to you.

You should never pay for travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotels) without having the necessary visa in your possession. The U.S. Consulate General accepts no responsibility if you do so, nor will we expedite processing because you have fixed travel dates. You risk significant financial losses if you ignore this advice.