This guide is based on the official pages listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-09. The tables and worksheets are VisaPilot preparation tools, not a government mandatory checklist.
How to complete the DS-160
- Each applicant, including children, submits their own form online. Handwritten or typed applications are not accepted.
- Signing electronically certifies that everything in it is true and correct. Misrepresenting facts could make you ineligible to enter the United States.
- Enter correct information only. Small changes to travel plans are acceptable, but a blank or placeholder form is not.
- Other names include a maiden name, a different name on your birth certificate and any other name used on official documents.
- The form asks most applicants for social media identifiers.
- A DS-160 is valid for one year from the date of submission.
- Submit it at least two business days before the interview.
The confirmation page: the number must match
The barcode number on the confirmation page starts with AA and is needed to book the interview. The number on the page you bring must match the one in your appointment profile, or you will not be able to attend.
If you cannot find the page: the visa information service points DS-160 submission and printing questions to the Department of State DS-160 FAQ. The usual route is to return to the DS-160 system, retrieve the submitted application with your application ID and print the page again. We could not read the State Department page during this check, so follow its instructions.
You can check application status in the official system with your interview location and DS-160 barcode number.
US visa photo requirements
- Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- Taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. For a renewal this generally means not the photo on your old visa.
- The mail-in instructions for Australia require a colour photo on a white background, and eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos.
Photos that do not meet the criteria can delay the application. For head size and digital image dimensions, follow the Department of State photo requirements.
How much bank balance for a US visa
The official pages checked publish no minimum balance and no required number of months. A B1/B2 applicant shows funds to cover expenses in the United States, and a residence and ties outside it.
The financial records named officially are proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership and assets. Students are advised to bring monthly bank statements, fixed deposit slips or other evidence of support.
When you organise statements, record the account holder, the period covered and the source of large deposits. See bank statements for a visa.
What an employment letter should state
The official description of an employer letter is: your position, salary, how long you have been employed, any authorized vacation and the business purpose, if any, of the trip. Working adults are also advised to bring pay slips from the most recent three months.
Letter check | Content | Compare with Position | [actual position] | DS-160, pay slips Salary | [amount, currency, gross or net] | Pay slips, bank entries Length of employment | [start date] | DS-160 work history Authorized vacation | [dates] | Itinerary Business purpose | [if any] | Invitation letter
This is a checking worksheet, not an official template. The employer issues the letter on the facts; do not write or alter it yourself.
Common questions
I lost my DS-160 confirmation page. Can I still attend?
You must bring a printed confirmation page whose number matches your appointment profile. Print it again by following the Department of State DS-160 FAQ.
What size is a US visa photo?
2 x 2 inches, which is 51 x 51 mm, taken within the last six months.
How much money do I need in my bank account?
The official pages checked publish no minimum amount. You show that you have funds to cover your expenses, using records that fit your real circumstances.
I am a freelancer with no employer letter. What do I use?
Business people and company directors are advised to bring evidence of position and remuneration. Without an employer, use income, tax or trading records that reflect how you actually work, and do not invent an employer.
Official sources and check dates
- USTravelDocs Australia: Complete your application · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Business/Tourist visa · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Frequently asked questions · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Renew my visa / Waive my interview · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Nonimmigrant visa important notices · 2026-10-09
Official instructions take priority. Local procedures quoted here come from the official visa information service for Australia; if you apply elsewhere, check the page for your own country. This guide does not assess eligibility or predict a decision.
Next step: check your own documents
List the documents you actually hold and the questions still open, then request a free human check.