Documentary and Information Requirements for Third Country Visas

For aliens who are eligible to/interested in applying for a Third Country Visa must be sure that they file the correct documents, so as to avoid any potential delays with the application. This article will detail the documents and information required for a Third Country Visa application.

Generally, a Third Country Visa Application includes:

  • An application Form DS-160 (the online Non-immigrant Visa application that is used by Consular Officers to process the visa application, the offline equivalent is the DS-156));
  • Applicant’s valid passport;
  • A recent passport photograph following these standards set by the U.S. State Department;
  • Visa application fee:
    • For most applicants for visitor and business visitor visas (categories B-1 and B-2), student visas (category F), and exchange visitor visas (category J), the application fee is $160
    • For applicants for most petition-based visas (categories H, L, O, P, Q, and R) the application fee is $190.
  • All I-94s (Arrival-Departure Record) obtained since the last time the alien came to
    the U.S.;
  • Proof of documentation of valid legal status since you last entered the U.S.; and
  • Proof of ties to home country.

Furthermore, it also important for the applicant to provide the appropriate supplemental documents, depending on the non-immigrant visa the applicant is applying for. Examples of the necessary documents are listed below:

  • H-1B Visa (Temporary workers):

    1. Form I-797A (H-1B Approval Notice);

    2. Job offer letter;

    3. Copies of your Diploma(s);

    4. Petition letter;

    5. Most recent pay stubs from your employer and, if possible, all pay
      stubs covering your employment period with your employer;

    6. Approved Labor Certification Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor;

    7. Form I-129 application and supporting documents;

    8. Tax returns (if applicable); and

    9. Form I-797 Approval Notice for your J-1 waiver if you had once been subject to the two-year home residency requirement.

Evidence of qualifications must be original or a certified copy. Consular officers in Canada may refuse to issue a visa to H-1B applicants if their education and/or work experience is solely or predominantly from a country other than the U.S. or Canada.

  • F-1 Visa (Students):

    1. Letter of Acceptance from the school you plan to attend;

    2. SEVIS Form I-20 from the school you plan to attend;

    3. Documentation showing sufficient financial resources;

    4. Copies of school transcripts for all semesters attended and a letter
      stating you are a student in good standing if you are attending a
      university or college; and

    5. Form I-797 Approval Notice if you changed to an F-1 status within the U.S.
  • J-1 Visa (Exchange program participants):

    1. Form IAP 66 issued by the program sponsor;

    2. Letter of Admission from your J-1 program director sponsor;

    3. Documentation showing sufficient financial resources;

    4. Copies of school transcripts for all semesters attended and a letter stating you are a student in good standing if you are attending a university or college; and

    5. Form I-797 Approval Notice if you changed to a J-1 status within the U.S.

For more information about Third Country Visas, please click on one of the following links: