Step 4: the visa appointment
Make sure to bring all of the below to the visa interview appointment. It is always up to the individual visa officer which documents they would like to review to determine visa eligibility, but you can use this list as a guide.
- A passport that has a validity date at least six months beyond the end of your exchange year
- A photo on a white background in color.
- Follow the instructions on this link. It is not a normal passport picture, the US visa requires a specific size
- Even if you managed to upload a picture electronically to your application, you still need to bring a photo with you to the appointment
- Confirmation of payment of visa fee: Remember you are applying for a J-1 visa and the fee is 160 USD
- Proof of Finance: as confirmation that you have the funds to live in the US, you must bring a statement from your own bank account or your parent’s account showing that there is at least 2,000 USD on it.
- DS-160 online application: please print and bring both the application and the confirmation page you received upon completing the form. The interview will not take place if you do not bring this.
- DS-2019 form (certificate of eligibility): this form proves that you are part of an exchange year with EF High School Exchange Year. This is your most important form and it can’t be replaced, so do not lose it.
- I-901. Proof that you have paid the SEVIS fee
- EF Terms and Conditions and contract: bring a copy of the terms and conditions and contract you signed with EF as it confirms that your parents allow you to travel and apply for a visa. A copy is sufficient, it does not have to be the original.
When you arrive at the US Embassy or US Consulate there will be a security check similar to the security check at an airport. You are going through a metal detector and must leave ALL electronic devices (phone, iPod, iPad, etc.) at security as you are not allowed to bring them with you into the embassy or consulate. Please DO NOT bring a laptop or computer to the appointment as security can’t store these larger items and you may be sent home and have to schedule a new appointment. In general, we recommend not to bring any electronic devices at all.
Please note that you should also not be bringing any larger bags and of course do not bring anything that can be mistaken for a weapon such as a pocket knife or scissors. You will be entering the embassy or consulate alone – your parents are not allowed in there with you, but can wait outside the embassy or consulate.