FilexFlow Guides · U.S. visas

What to have ready for the DS-160

Department of State guidance says applicants should have their passport and, when applicable, travel itinerary, prior U.S. travel dates, international travel history, résumé/CV information, and other information related to the purpose of travel available while completing the DS-160.

Prepare the document package, not just the PDF

Start with the current instructions for your visa category and the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply. Separate universally required items from documents that may be requested based on your case. Then check the files themselves for readable scans, sensible orientation, supported formats and any upload-size limit shown by the receiving portal.

Keep technical preparation separate from eligibility

A technically clean file does not establish visa eligibility, and a checklist cannot guarantee that a consular officer will consider a package sufficient. FilexFlow therefore focuses on organization and file preparation rather than approval predictions.

The DS-160 is submitted electronically. Keep the confirmation/barcode page as instructed by the Department of State.

Run the free U.S. visa document pre-check

Official source

Last reviewed August 27, 2026. Official DS-160 FAQ ↗

Always follow the current official instructions. Requirements and procedures can change and may vary by visa category and post.