Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-160

The Form DS-160 is the electronic application form required for obtaining a US nonimmigrant visa. This fully online form must be completed by all applicants seeking a nonimmigrant visa for the United States. The form asks for personal details, contact information, passport and travel details, previous visits to the US, family information, and questions about your education and work history. Additionally, it includes security-related questions about your background and requires you to upload a photo of yourself.

Where to Fill Form DS 160?

You can access the form DS-160 at the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

Sample Form DS 160

You can access a free sample for the form here.

DS-160 Form Filling Instructions:

Filling out the DS-160 form online is straightforward if you follow a few simple steps and pay close attention to your answers:

Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

• Log in to your account.
• Complete the security question.
• Start answering the questions.
• Upload your DS-160 Form photo.
• Submit the form.
• Print the DS-160 Barcode Page.

Step-by-Step Process:

Log in:

Before starting, ensure you have a reliable internet connection and enough time to complete the form without rushing. Once logged in, you must select the location to apply for your visa. If this is your first application, click the “Start an Application” button.

Complete the security question:

To get a unique application ID and for security purposes, you need to choose and answer a security question. Remember this answer, as you may need it for future logins.

Start answering the questions:

After the initial pages, you will begin answering detailed questions categorized into four main sections:

Personal Information:

• Full name and surname
• Full name in native alphabet
• Marital status
• Date and place of birth
• Country of origin
• Other nationalities (if any)
• Permanent residence in any other country
• Home address
• Phone numbers (work and personal)
• Email address
• Passport information (number, date and place of issuance, expiration date)
• Purpose of the trip to the US
• Specific travel plans (if applicable)
• Information on previous trips to the US, previous US visas, or any visa refusals

Family Information:

• Parents’ full names
• Relatives in the US (if any)
• Spouse’s name, date, and place of birth

Work/Education/Training Information:

• Primary occupation, address, start date, monthly salary in local currency, and job duties
• Previous employment history
• Education background (secondary level or above)
• Languages spoken
• Travel history in the last five years
• Membership in professional, social, or charitable organizations
• Specialized skills or training (e.g., firearms, explosives)
• Military service history
• Involvement in paramilitary, vigilante, rebel, guerrilla, or insurgent groups

Security-Related Questions:

• Health questions related to communicable diseases
• Mental or physical disorders that may pose a threat
• History of drug abuse or addiction
• Criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and detentions
• Involvement in controlled substance violations
• Participation in prostitution, money laundering, human trafficking, or terrorism
• Involvement in genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, political killings, or violence
• Recruitment or use of child soldiers
• Violations of religious freedom or population controls
• Coercive transplantation of human organs or tissue
• Immigration fraud or misrepresentation
• Withholding custody of a US citizen child
• Illegal voting in the US
• Renunciation of US citizenship to avoid taxation

By following these steps and answering all questions carefully, you can complete your DS-160 form accurately, which is crucial for a successful nonimmigrant visa application.

Upload DS-160 Form Photo

When completing the DS-160 form for a nonimmigrant visa, one crucial step toward the end of the application process is uploading a digital photo of your face. Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding the photo upload requirement:

Photo Upload Guidelines

• Recent Photo: The photo should be taken within the last 6 months to ensure it accurately represents your current appearance.
• US Visa Photo Requirements: The photo must adhere to the specific guidelines and specifications outlined for US visa photos.
• File Size Limit: The uploaded photo must be 240kb or less to meet the technical requirements of the application system.

Verification Process

• Quality Check: Once you upload the photo, the system will conduct a verification process to ensure it meets the necessary standards.
• Confirmation: If the uploaded photo aligns with the guidelines, a green tick and the confirmation message “Photo passed quality standards” will be displayed.

Ensuring that your uploaded photo complies with the specified criteria is essential for the successful completion of your nonimmigrant visa application. By following these guidelines and verifying that your photo meets the quality standards, you can proceed with confidence in the visa application process.

Submit the Form

After successfully uploading your photo, you will receive the location where you need to submit your application for a US nonimmigrant visa. Be sure to memorize this location or, better yet, write it down for future reference.

Next, you must electronically sign your application by clicking on the “Sign and Submit Application” button.

By completing these steps, you will have successfully finished the first part of your US nonimmigrant visa application process.

Print DS-160 Barcode Page

After completing the application, you will be presented with a confirmation page. It’s crucial to print this page and bring it with you on the day of your US nonimmigrant visa interview. Without the DS-160 form confirmation, you will not be able to attend your interview.

Documents You Need to Complete DS 160 Electronic Form

When filling out the form for a US nonimmigrant visa, you will need to reference several key documents:

• Your valid passport.
• Your travel itinerary.
• Dates of all international trips made in the last five years, including visits to the US.
• Information on your current and previous education and work history.

Additionally, for certain types of US nonimmigrant visas, you may need extra documents:

• Students and Exchange Visitors (F, J, and M visas): You will need your SEVIS ID and the address of your school or program, as found on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
• Petition-based Temporary Workers (H-1B, H-2, H-3, CW1, L, O, P, R, E2C visas): You will need a copy of your I-129 form.
• Other Temporary Workers: Have information ready about your future employer, including their address.

DS 160 Form Validity

The DS-160 form for a US nonimmigrant visa is valid for 30 days from the day you start filling it out. For example, if you begin the application on January 1, the DS-160 form will expire on January 31. Ensure you complete the form within this time frame; otherwise, you must start the process from the beginning.

DS 160 Form Visa Fee

There is no fee specifically for the DS-160 form itself. However, you will need to pay the fee associated with the US nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. Most US nonimmigrant visa fees are $160, although some visa categories may have higher fees.

What is DS 160 confirmation number?

The DS-160 confirmation number is issued once you complete, sign, and submit the form. This number serves as proof that you have successfully finished this step in the nonimmigrant visa application process. 

Can DS 160 form be edited after submission?

Once you have signed and submitted the DS-160 form for your nonimmigrant visa, corrections are not possible. However, there are two ways to make edits:

• Edit Within 30 Days: If you submitted the form within the last 30 days, you can retrieve your application from the Consular Electronic Application Center system and make the necessary changes.
• Submit a New Application: Alternatively, you can fill out a completely new DS-160 form. On the day of your appointment, bring the confirmation pages from both the original and the revised DS-160 forms.

How to retrieve DS 160 form after submission?

You can retrieve your DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application within 30 days of signing and submitting it. Follow these steps:

• Log into the Consular Electronic Application Center system.
• Enter your application identification number.
• Select “Retrieve an Application.”
• Create a new application; this will display your previous application.
• Edit the information as needed.
• Re-submit the application.

Should I print the whole application?

Navigating the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Process: No Need to Print the Entire Form!

Congratulations on taking the first step towards your US travel dreams! Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa can seem daunting at first, but fear not – the process is designed to be completed electronically. Here’s a key point to remember: you only need to print a specific portion of the application, not the entire form.

Focus on the DS-160 Confirmation Page

The DS-160 is the online Nonimmigrant Visa application form. It’s where you’ll provide all your details, travel plans, and supporting information. Once you’ve meticulously filled out the form and submitted it electronically, you’ll receive a confirmation page with a unique barcode. This confirmation page is the crucial document you need to print.

Why Not Print the Entire Form?

While the entire DS-160 application resides online, having a physical copy of the confirmation page serves two important purposes:

1. Reference and Recordkeeping: It acts as a handy reference for you to review the details you submitted, ensuring everything is accurate.
2. Visa Interview Necessity: During your scheduled visa interview, the US Consulate or Embassy will require you to present the printed DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode. This helps them verify the information you provided electronically.

Remember: The focus remains on the online application and the confirmation page. Don’t waste resources printing the entire form!

Next Steps for Your Nonimmigrant Visa Journey:

With your DS-160 confirmation page in hand, you can proceed with the remaining steps in your Nonimmigrant Visa application process. These may include:

• Scheduling your visa interview appointment
• Paying the required visa application fee
• Gathering any additional supporting documents requested by the US Consulate or Embassy

By following these steps and keeping the focus on your DS-160 confirmation page, you’ll be well on your way to securing your non-immigrant visa and embarking on your exciting US adventure!