At the start of the year I began the U.S. visa process. From Jan 6 (prep) to Jan 15 (passport returned), it went smoothly. Sharing tips and pitfalls that may help.
I was applying for a business trip, so it’s a business visa, but the final visa I got is B1/B2.
What to prepare
Required
- Invitation letter
- Passport
- DS-160 application form and confirmation page
- Photo (due to date restrictions, it is recommended to take a new photo at a photo studio)
- Itinerary
- Personal English resume
- Assignment letter (issued by my company)
- Interview
- EVUS registration
Optional
I didn’t actually use these during my interview, but it’s still recommended to prepare them:
- Household registration book, salary certificate from the past year, bank statement
- Employment contract (not the original)
That’s the full list. Bring more rather than less — it’s hard to make multiple trips. A few highlights below.
Principles
- Keep information consistent across invitation, DS‑160, itinerary, etc.
- Don’t lie. Answer sensitive questions (e.g., party membership) truthfully.
Invitation letter
It needs to be issued by the U.S. side. Pay attention to the following:
- Invitation letter date
- Position
- Purpose of business trip
- Time period
Passport
This won’t be elaborated on here; just prepare it in advance.
DS‑160
I filled out this form several times. Please note a few points
- Save often; long forms can crash.
- Save your Application ID to resume later.
- Don’t submit until you’ve double‑checked everything.
Photo
As mentioned above, take a new photo. Don’t use an old one.
Itinerary
In the itinerary, ensure the time period, address, and purpose are consistent with the invitation letter
Resume (EN)
Fill it out truthfully
Assignment letter
The position mentioned in the assignment letter must be consistent with the information in the above forms.
Interview
It is recommended to go early because the lines are very long. Note that the interview time does not include waiting time, so arrive early; otherwise, if you are late, you will have to reschedule.
Passport return
I had my interview on the 10th, and my passport was mailed to the bank on the 15th. When picking it up, bring your ID and the AWB number received in the email.
EVUS registration
The Chrome browser on Mac will report an error on the final submission page. It is recommended to use Edge or IE for registration
Notes and personal takeaways
- I hesitated about whether to declare that I’m a Communist Party member, but in the end, I answered truthfully.
- I joined the new company on the 6th, and the invitation letter was also dated the 6th. Initially, I was worried I might be asked to explain why I was going to the U.S. so soon after joining. I prepared an explanation, but it turned out not to be an issue. The online advice that you should have at least one year of stable work experience before applying for a U.S. visa is unfounded. Personally, I don’t think this is a problem as long as all materials are genuine.
- Because I was in a hurry, I
scheduled the interview for the morning. I was the second person at my interview window. The interviewer was nice; he didn’t ask any questions, just took my passport and said I was approved. So,interviews don't necessarily involve questions. In my case, I wasn’t asked a single question. My experience is that it’s better to go early — the interviewer has just started their workday, so they might be in a better, more relaxed mood. - Some colleagues around me undergo political review every time they go for an interview. The specific reason isn’t clear, but he previously worked at Huawei — whether that’s the reason or not is hard to say.
- If your English is not good, don’t try to be brave; just use Chinese. The interviewers can speak Chinese.
- For all materials and your performance, remember the basic principle: you will not stay in the U.S.; you are just there for a business trip or tourism. So, if you insist on showing off your English, or if you lack confidence or lie, would you approve such an application if you were the interviewer?
Final Thoughts
Preparing all the materials was very troublesome, but seeing the final 10-year B1/B2 visa was somewhat comforting. These few lines may help some friends.
