The DS-160 form, or Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is the first step in applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. It is an online application for nonimmigrant visas that takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. DS-160 is required to be filled out and filed for all U.S. nonimmigrant visas, such as a B1 business visa, H1B visa, or L1 visa.
Before you start filling out the DS160 online form, you will need to have the following:
- A digital image of yourself is required. You can use a printed photo if you cannot upload the right picture or submit it online.
Note
Some embassies and consulates do not require that you upload a digital photo when filling out the DS160 online. In this instance, your photograph and fingerprints will be taken by the OFC or ASC at the Visa Application Center.
- It is important to know where you will be interviewed. Here is a list of US Consulates located in India for people who are applying from India.
- You must have a good internet connection to complete the online application.
- Each applicant must provide passport details (including name as it appears on the passport, date and place of birth, expiration date, passport numbers, etc.)
- Information about the applicant’s family (names of applicants, occupations of parents, address of work, address of mailing, income, etc.)
- Your address in the USA
- If you have any relatives in the USA, provide their name and address.
- If you are a US resident, provide your social security number and your US Tax ID number.
- Date of your most recent trip to the US, if applicable.
Technical Requirements
These are the technical requirements for filling out your DS-160 online:
- Javascript and 128-bit encryption must be enabled in your browser.
- Internet Explorer version 5.0 Service Pack 2 or later is the minimum required version.
- Netscape 6.2 is the minimum version.
- You should have a laser-printer connected to your computer to be able to print a confirmation page after you submit your application.
Filling DS-160
When filling out your DS-160, keep in mind the following tips and tricks:
- Provide accurate and true information. In each window, enter the requested information in the appropriate fields and answer all questions.
- The majority of questions are self-explanatory and provide enough information to allow for self-help. Select “Does not apply” for fields that do not apply.
- You can save your application temporarily on the website. Save your application to your local computer if you are planning to leave the online application for more than 20 minutes. It is advisable to save your data to your local computer continuously, in order to be able to resume the application from where you last left off, if you cannot complete it in a single sitting.
- Your session will expire if you do not complete the online application within 20 minutes. All data entered will be lost if you have not saved your data.
- If you’re using a computer in a public place, be sure to delete the file once you have finished your application.
- Check the accuracy of your information.
- Print the confirmation page once submitted.
- Bring the confirmation page along with you to all stages of the visa application.
DS-160 Online Application Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does it take for the application to be completed?
Online applications can be completed in 15-40 minutes.
Is it mandatory to fill out all the fields on DS-160?
The DS-160 has many mandatory fields. You may leave the “Optional” fields blank. You may be able to choose “Does not apply” for some fields if a question does not apply to you. All required fields must be filled out. You will not be able to submit the form if any mandatory fields are left blank. You will receive an error message and be asked to fill out the required field before you can continue with your application. Your application may be rejected if you don’t answer all the questions.
What will happen if I have to leave the data entry process in the middle?
The DS-160 will automatically “time out” after 20 minutes of inactivity. The “time-out” is intended to protect your privacy. All data entered in the application will be lost if the application times-out. To avoid “time-out” issues, you should regularly save the application while working on it. Click the “Save” icon at the bottom of the application to save it. Clicking on save will temporary save the application. To permanently save your application select the “Save to File” button. Click the “Save” icon on the File Download Window. Select a location on your computer where you want to save the application, navigate to it, and then click “Save” in the Save As window. The system will save your application in the location specified. Click “Close” once the download has finished to return to your application. The “Import application date” option is available on the “Getting started” page. This allows you to upload data that has already been entered.
What is the best way to get a digital picture that will upload successfully into my application?
Please see detailed requirements for photographs.
On the confirmation page, there is an “X” where a photo should have been. What does that mean?
That means that the photo upload failed. Therefore, you will need to submit one printed photograph meeting requirements, along with the online DS-160 confirmation page. Please verify with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying for specific instructions on how to attach your photo to your confirmation page. See the print photo format found in the Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements. If the confirmation page includes a photo, then the photo upload function has succeeded and no separate print photograph is required.
Why did the edits I made from the review page “edit” link not save?
In order for data changes made from the review page links to save, you must use the buttons at the bottom of each page to navigate, instead of the browser’s back/forward buttons or the buttons along the left of the screen.
Should I save my application before I submit it?
YES! You should, if you can, save your application locally before you submit your application. Saving your application locally is beneficial in two ways. First, if your application is rejected by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for being incomplete, i.e., your application contains non-responsive answers or you failed to answer a critical question, you will be able access your saved application data, correct the non-responsive or incomplete answers and submit the corrected application without having to complete an entirely new application.
Second, if you are a frequent visa applicant, you can update your saved application the next time you wish to apply for a visa and submit the updated application. This will save you time by not having to re-enter information that has not changed since the last time you applied.
Do I bring my entire application with me to the interview, or just bring the confirmation page?
Your confirmation page is all that is needed to retrieve your application data. You must bring the confirmation page with you during all phases of the application process. Without the confirmation page, it may not be possible to access your application and process your visa case.
I am traveling with my family or as part of a group. Can I create a family or group application?
Yes. On the “Thank You” page you will see an option to create a family or group application. When you select this option, certain information from your application, such as destination, will automatically be imported to and displayed on a new application. Please note that if you use this option you will need to create an individual application for each of your family members traveling with you or for each individual within the group.
If I use the option on the “Thank You” page to create a family or group application, can I modify the data automatically populated by the system?
Yes. If one of the dependents has a different surname or nationality, for example, the applicant can alter that data on the application before submitting.
When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?
No, with one exception. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.
Note
The exceptions are Fiancee Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa application.
It is important to check the Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply for your nonimmigrant visa for information on the application process in place. Embassies and consulates worldwide will transition one-by-one to the DS-160. Therefore, those embassies which have not yet converted to the new DS-160 online form continue to require all application forms, as necessary.
I am applying for a Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor, E Visa. Do I need to fill out DS-160 and DS-156E?
It depends. If you are an E Visa, Principal Investor (E-2) applicant, all you need to complete is the DS-160. If you are a Treaty Trader (E-1) or an Executive/Manager/Essential Employee, you will need to complete the DS-160 and you or your employer will need to complete the DS-156E Form.
After successfully completing the application, you will receive a confirmation with a 10-digit barcode. Print out of a copy of this page. This will be needed for setting up your visa interview appointment.
Note
Your application confirmation page should be printed using a laser printer. Ink-jet or dot-matrix printers do not print with sufficient resolution for the barcode to work.
