Suggested Supporting Documents

       Non-immigrant Visas

       Required Documents / Photos

• A current passport valid for at least six months past the expected time of arrival in the U.S and any previous passports showing travel outside Sri Lanka;

• Confirmation page of DS-160 with barcode and your photo image.

• The photograph must be 2"x2" and have a white background. Non-compliant photographs will be rejected and the applicant will have to reapply;

• Any required forms for the visa (I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.);

• Bank draft for certified funds drawn on a U.S. bank or drawn on a Sri Lankan bank made out to “U.S. Embassy Colombo" for the non-refundable application fee.(Visa Fee) Please write your name and passport number on the bank draft. Applicants will not be allowed in the Embassy without their bank draft.

  All applicants who apply for a L1 visa must pay an additional payment of $500 drawn on a US bank or Rs. 57,500 drawn on a Sri Lankan bank made out to “US Embassy Colombo” as a non-refundable fee for the prevention of fraud. This is effective from March 08th 2005;

• ALL APPLICANTS HAVE TO BRING PROOF OF TAX PAYMENT AS EVIDENCE OF INCOME;

• Returning H1B and L1 visa applicants MUST have their most recent pay stub and their recent federal income tax returns; Any additional documentation they deem important to supporting their application. Please see "Required Supporting Documentation" below for more information;

  Important things to remember when filling out application forms:
  

• Respond to all the questions. If you have no response for a question, put "none" or "nil" - do not draw a line or write "n.a." or "not applicable"If you fail to answer all the questions, this could create problems with your application, so remember to have an answer for each question.

      Very important:

Remember: though suggested documents may assist you in your interview, the Consular Officer relies primarily on the interview to  determine your eligibility for a visa. Documents are of secondary importance.

Caution: Use only valid Documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent ineligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Important: Please write your complete name and passport number on the back of each draft.

Required Supporting Documentation

Some examples of supporting documents are as follows:

      1.Original birth certificate;

      2.Marriage certificate;

      3.Children's birth certificates;

      4.Personal and business bank statements and bank books;

      5.Deeds to any property owned;

      6.Proof of employment (pay slip, EPF/ETF slips, tax returns);

      7.Proof of education;

      8.Evidence of sponsor or host's legal status in the U.S. (copy of passport, green card or visa);

      9.Financial statements of businesses owned and tax returns;

      10.Travel Itinerary with name of travel agent.

Procedures for Domestic Staff Visas (A-3 AND G-5)

To ensure strict adherence to U.S. law and prevent fraud, all applicants for domestic staff positions must provide the following additional information:

      1.Date of Employer's Arrival in the United States;

      2.Date of Employer's Expected Departure from the United States;

      3.Names & Visa Information of Domestic Staff presently employed;

      4.Names & Visa Information of all previously employed Domestic Staff

      5.Proof Domestic Staff was paid according to U.S. law;

      6.Information concerning Businesses or Individuals who arranged employment contracts;

      7.Domestic Staff Applicant's Work History with Reference Letters;

      8.Employment Contract signed by both Employer and Applicant.

Failure to provide this information and/or prior complications with previously employed Domestic Staff will result in significant delays due to the need to conduct thorough reviews of all such applications.

Cases involving serious concerns, or possible fraud, will require investigation and may take several months to process.