Q I am applying for a visitor’s (B1/B2) visa. When it’s time for my interview at the embassy, what documents do I need to bring with me?

A. The documents required at your B1/B2 visa interview are:

• Your one-page DS-160 confirmation page with bar code;

• A passport-sized photo taken in the last six months;

• A valid passport;

• If you are bringing your child with you who will also be applying, you should bring the original or a certified copy of the birth certificate for the child so that the officer can verify the relationship.

Even though you may have uploaded your photo while completing the online Form DS-160, please also make sure to bring a hard copy of your photo that meets the US State Department’s requirements:

• In colour;

• Sized such that the head is between one inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50 per cent and 69 per cent of the image’s total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;

• Taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance;

• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background;

• Taken in full-face view, directly facing the camera;

• With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open;

• Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis;

• Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily;

• Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.

• Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.

• Effective November 1, 2016, eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except in rare circumstances when eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons;

Additional information may be found at: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html#nonimmigrant

Besides the documents listed above, you may bring other information you believe demonstrates your economic, family, or professional ties to Jamaica.

However, please keep in mind that the interviewing officer will be more interested in speaking with you than with reviewing documents, and will review such documents at his or her discretion. As each applicant’s situation is different, there is no standard set of documents you must present to guarantee you will get a tourist visa.

The consular officer may request additional documents to verify relationships or to evaluate your suitability for a visa. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip;

• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or

• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Be aware that presenting a consular officer with fraudulent, altered, or misleading documents will lead to a visa denial and possibly permanent ineligibility for a US visa. B1/B2 visa applicants do not need a letter of invitation or an Affidavit of Support to apply for a non-immigrant tourist visa.

Applicants are encouraged to review the instructions for how to apply at: jm.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/.

Q. What if the consular officer refuses me without even looking at all my documents?

A. After you hand your passport to the consular officer, he or she will review your electronic DS-160 application. That information, along with your responses to the officer’s questions during the interview, is typically sufficient for a decision. If the interviewing officer believes a document (such as a job letter from your employer) will be informative, he or she will request it.

It is important to note that any documents presented during the interview are only one of many factors a consular officer considers when determining an applicant’s eligibility for a non-immigrant visa.

Q. How should I submit the supporting documents for my B1/B2 visa case?

A. If you have documents that you believe support your application, you may bring them to the visa interview. The embassy does not accept supporting documentation before the interview for a B1/B2 visa case.

You can find more information about how to travel to the US on our website, jm.usembassy.gov. Keep on top of embassy news on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter . We also answer general visa questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages.