I realize that visa procedures and requirements vary by nationality, but in my case, no money was mandatory. The only four mandatory things were:PassportPhotosThat one-page visa form you need to fill outReceipt of the visa feeFor men between 16 to 45 years of age, there is an additional one-page form to fill out. That is it.Answer their questions completely and truthfully; neither volunteer information nor lie to them. They will know. They know exactly who you are and what you do even before you step inside the consulate, so don’t think you can play games with them.As for your friends in the US, keep your mouth shut unless specifically asked about them. I have a lot of friends there is a euphemism for I’m not coming back and you don’t want to say that to a visa officer.