Come June 1, those applying for US visa can apply at the US Embassy without bank statements, land titles and letters of investigation and other similar documents, which otherwise are a must so far. The US Embassy said on Tuesday that the measures were taken to protect the applicants from potential scams in addition to saving their money and time.

The move is aimed at easing the visa application process for tourists and students, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

“In recent months, the US Embassy has received complaints from applicants who paid consultancies to organise or obtain documents for their interview, only to discover that consular officers do not need these documents,” read the statement.

“The embassy has also received reports of consultancies using the promise of a visa to obtain documents that could be used to steal an applicant’s identity,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the applicants now only need to present passport (and prior passports if any), DS-160 confirmation page, application fee payment receipts, photos, I-20, an acceptance letter from the respective college and academic transcripts (for student visa applicants).

Required
> Passport
> DS-160 confirmation page
> Application fee payment receipts
> Photos
> I-20
> An acceptance letter from the respective college and academic transcripts (for student visa applicants)

Not required (effective June 1)
> Bank statements
> Land titles
> Letters of investigation

source: the kathmandu post, 18 May 2016