AFTER DS160

 

After completing the DS-160 form for your U.S. visa application, here are the next steps you should follow:

1. **Submit the DS-160 form:**

   - Review all the information you entered in the form. After ensuring everything is accurate, submit the DS-160 form online.

   - After submission, you'll receive a confirmation page with a barcode. Print this confirmation page, as you'll need it for your visa interview.

2. **Pay the visa application fee:**

   - The fee depends on the type of visa you're applying for. You can find payment instructions on the U.S. embassy or consulate website in your country.

   - Payment can typically be made at designated banks, online, or via other local payment methods depending on your country.

3. **Schedule your visa appointment:**

   - Create an account on the U.S. visa appointment website (e.g., CGI, if you're in Indonesia) to schedule an appointment for your visa interview.

   - You will need your DS-160 confirmation number and receipt for the visa fee payment to book the appointment.

4. **Prepare your documents for the interview:**

   - Besides the DS-160 confirmation page, you will need several other documents for your visa interview, including:

     - A valid passport.

     - Visa application fee payment receipt.

     - A passport-sized photo that meets the U.S. visa photo requirements (if not uploaded to DS-160).

     - Additional documents depending on the visa category (e.g., invitation letters, proof of financial support, etc.).

5. **Attend the visa interview:**

   - On the scheduled date, attend your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

   - Be prepared to answer questions about your trip, your background, and your intentions in the U.S.

6. **Wait for visa processing:**

   - After your interview, your visa application will go through processing. If approved, your passport with the visa will be returned to you. If further documentation or administrative processing is needed, you will be notified.

Good luck with your application!

If I change my place to stay after ds160 submitted;

It's generally fine to change your place of stay after you get your U.S. visa, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. **DS-160 Form**: The address you provide in the DS-160 form is just for informational purposes, so if your plans change after your visa is issued, it should not cause any issues. The U.S. authorities primarily use the DS-160 to understand your initial intentions and travel plans.

2. **Visa Interview**: If you mentioned a specific address during your visa interview (like where you'll be staying), and it changes afterward, that's okay as long as it doesn't affect the purpose of your trip. The U.S. authorities don’t typically monitor your exact stay after arrival unless there are visa violations or other concerns.

3. **Arrival in the U.S.**: When you arrive at the U.S. port of entry, they may ask where you will be staying. It's best to have a clear answer, and if it’s a different address than what was mentioned earlier, you can explain it.

As long as your change of address doesn’t raise red flags or affect your visa status, there shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to stay within the terms of your visa.

Couch surfing 

Staying with Couchsurfing friends should not negatively impact your U.S. visa, as long as your overall travel intentions remain consistent with the visa type you've been granted. However, there are a few things to consider:

1. **Visa Type**: If you're traveling on a tourist visa (B-2), your primary intent should be tourism, not to live or work in the U.S. Staying with friends through Couchsurfing is generally seen as a temporary accommodation arrangement and does not imply any intent to overstay.

2. **Address Information**: If the U.S. authorities or customs officers ask where you are staying, you should be able to provide the address where you'll be. You are not required to provide specific details about Couchsurfing unless asked. Just be prepared to explain your accommodation plans if necessary.

3. **Proof of Ties**: During the visa application process, U.S. authorities want to see that you have strong ties to your home country and that you will return after your trip. If staying with Couchsurfing friends suggests that you may not have stable accommodations or plans, it could raise some concerns. It’s important to show that you have a clear return plan and financial stability for the trip.

4. **Length of Stay**: Ensure that your stay with friends is temporary, as staying for an extended period could raise suspicions, especially if you’re on a tourist visa.

In summary, staying with Couchsurfing friends shouldn't directly impact your visa, but always be prepared to explain your travel plans and have a clear return plan to avoid complications.

Copies or original?

It's best to bring **both the original documents and photocopies** to your visa interview. While the consulate generally prefers originals for verification, they might also require photocopies for their records. Here’s a checklist to guide you:

### 1. **Original Documents**

   - Passport

   - Financial proof (bank statements, sponsor letters, etc.)

   - Proof of ties to your home country (employment letter, property documents, etc.)

   - Supporting documents (e.g., invitation letters, travel itinerary)

### 2. **Photocopies**

   - Make clear photocopies of all important documents, including:

     - The bio-data page of your passport

     - Financial documents

     - Any letters (employment, sponsor, etc.)

     - Supporting evidence

### 3. **Why Bring Copies?**

   - Some embassies may keep copies for their records.

   - It speeds up the process and ensures you don't have to part with your originals.

Check the specific guidelines for the embassy you're visiting; they sometimes provide detailed instructions on their website. It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared!

Kepemilikan tanah?

Ya, sebaiknya Anda membawa **surat asli kepemilikan tanah** ke wawancara visa jika dokumen tersebut digunakan untuk membuktikan keterikatan Anda dengan Indonesia, seperti sebagai bukti kepemilikan aset. Selain itu, pastikan Anda juga membawa **fotokopinya**. Biasanya, petugas hanya memeriksa dokumen asli dan mengambil fotokopinya jika diperlukan.  

### Tips Penting:

1. **Pastikan Surat Asli dalam Kondisi Baik**  

   Jika berupa sertifikat tanah, pastikan tidak rusak atau ada data yang hilang.

2. **Fotokopi yang Jelas**  

   Fotokopi halaman-halaman penting dari dokumen kepemilikan tanah (misalnya, bagian identitas pemilik dan rincian properti).

3. **Dokumen Pendukung**  

   Jika sertifikat atas nama keluarga, siapkan bukti hubungan (misalnya, Kartu Keluarga).

### Kenapa Penting?  

- Dokumen seperti sertifikat tanah memperkuat argumen bahwa Anda memiliki alasan kuat untuk kembali ke Indonesia setelah perjalanan, terutama jika tujuan perjalanan Anda adalah wisata atau sementara.  

Selalu periksa instruksi spesifik dari kedutaan negara tujuan Anda, karena mereka bisa memiliki persyaratan tambahan.

Bawa surat ijazah?

Membawa ijazah asli dan fotokopinya biasanya **tidak wajib** kecuali dokumen tersebut diminta secara khusus oleh kedutaan sebagai bagian dari persyaratan visa Anda. Namun, membawa ijazah bisa menjadi langkah tambahan yang membantu jika:  

1. **Visa Studi atau Kerja**  

   - Jika Anda melamar visa untuk keperluan pendidikan atau pekerjaan, ijazah sering diminta sebagai bukti kualifikasi.  

   - Sebaiknya juga siapkan **terjemahan resmi** (jika ijazah dalam bahasa selain Inggris atau bahasa resmi negara tujuan).  

2. **Bukti Keterikatan di Indonesia**  

   - Untuk visa turis, membawa ijazah biasanya tidak relevan. Namun, jika Anda ingin menunjukkan bahwa Anda memiliki pendidikan dan karier yang stabil, bisa menjadi nilai tambah.  

### Rekomendasi:  

- **Periksa Persyaratan Visa**  

  Cek di situs web resmi kedutaan atau dalam email konfirmasi janji wawancara apakah ijazah perlu dibawa.  

- **Jika Tidak Diminta Secara Khusus**  

  Anda bisa membawa **fotokopi ijazah** sebagai cadangan jika diperlukan selama wawancara, tetapi biasanya itu bukan dokumen utama yang diminta.  

Fokus pada dokumen yang lebih relevan seperti paspor, bukti keuangan, itinerary, dan surat keterikatan (seperti surat kerja atau kepemilikan aset).

Rekening koran?

Bukti rekening koran untuk keperluan visa biasanya bisa diterima jika dicetak melalui **internet banking BCA**, asalkan:  

1. **Format Resmi**  

   Pastikan rekening koran tersebut menunjukkan logo bank, informasi rekening Anda, dan detail transaksi dalam format resmi. Biasanya file PDF dari KlikBCA Internet Banking sudah memenuhi standar ini.  

2. **Tidak Ada Ketentuan Khusus dari Kedutaan**  

   Beberapa kedutaan mungkin meminta rekening koran yang dicetak langsung dari bank dan disertai stempel resmi. Periksa situs web atau panduan kedutaan untuk memastikan persyaratan mereka.

### Jika Harus Ke Bank:

- Rekening koran yang dicetak di bank biasanya dilengkapi dengan **stempel resmi** dan tanda tangan petugas, sehingga lebih terpercaya jika ada persyaratan ketat.

### Rekomendasi:

1. **Cek Kebijakan Kedutaan**  

   Lihat apakah mereka menerima rekening koran dari internet banking atau memerlukan yang dicetak dari bank.

2. **Siapkan Keduanya Jika Perlu**  

   Jika tidak yakin, Anda bisa membawa hasil cetakan internet banking dan meminta versi resmi dari bank untuk berjaga-jaga.

3. **Pastikan Periode Transaksi**  

   Biasanya, kedutaan meminta rekening koran dari 3-6 bulan terakhir. Pastikan periode ini tercakup.

Dengan membawa dokumen yang tepat, Anda akan lebih siap saat wawancara.