Helping gather required documentation

Almost every visa step comes down to paperwork. Having the right documents in the right order saves you weeks. THE STANDARD SET • Valid passport • Passport-sized photos (confirm the exact size) • Acceptance or enrollment letter from your school • Proof of funds, such as a recent bank statement or a sponsor letter • Health insurance proof • Completed visa application form • Payment of the fee SOMETIMES ALSO REQUIRED • A criminal background check, usually for older applicants, which may require an apostille • Medical forms • Birth or marriage certificates, if bringing a spouse or children TIPS • Make one folder with originals and a second with copies. Scan everything and save it in the cloud. • Documents that come from a government office (birth certificates, background checks) often need an apostille and sometimes a translation. See Apostille assistance in Section 11. • Check dates. Many documents must be recent, for instance issued within the last 3 to 6 months.