If you are applying for a US visa, you must complete the DS-160 form. Filling out the DS-160 form is a mandatory requirement for all US nonimmigrant visa applications such as the B1/B2.
The US Department of State uses form DS-160 along with the visa interview to determine your eligibility for a US visa. It’s important to complete this form accurately and honestly.
In this article, you will learn everything about the DS-160 form, the documents needed and how to complete it.
Table of Contents
***
What is DS-160 Form?
DS-160 form is an online nonimmigrant visa application form for the United States. It’s a mandatory form for all US nonimmigrant visa applications such as the B1/B2. Completing this form is the first step in the US visa application process.
It’s a lengthy form so it can take about 60-90 minutes to fill. The form will ask for details about your personal information, travel plans, travel history, education, work, etc. For a sample form, take a look at this sample DS-160 on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
***
Who Must Fill DS-160 Form?
If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa for the US such as a B1/B2, you must fill out the DS-160 form. This form is required for all US nonimmigrant visa applicants regardless of their age or nationality.
Form DS-160 is the first step in the US visa application process. This is an online form that can take about 60-90 minutes to fill.
It’s important to fill this form accurately and honestly. Providing false or misleading information can lead to visa refusal or a temporary ban.
***
Where to Fill DS-160 Form?
To fill out the form DS-160, visit Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. This is the only website authorized for completing and submitting the form DS-160.
A Word of Caution
Third parties are allowed to fill out the application on your behalf. But I highly recommend filling out the form yourself to avoid any errors.
***
Technical Requirements to Fill Out Form DS-160
Before you start filling out your form DS-160, ensure that you have the necessary technical requirements.
- Device Compatibility: You need a computer or laptop. It’s a lengthy form with several sections. It’s cumbersome to fill it out on a phone or tablet. Use a computer or laptop.
- Browser Compatibility: You need a major browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer. It also works on Safari and Microsoft Edge, but I highly recommend using Google Chrome.
- Internet Connection: You need a stable and reliable internet connection. A slow and unstable internet can cause the form to load slowly or freeze. This can lead to frustration and delays.
- Software Requirements: You need a PDF reader installed on your computer. A PDF reader is necessary to view and print your confirmation page. If you do not have one, download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Other Technical Requirements: Disable popups and download blockers on your browser. These blockers can prevent downloading your confirmation page.
***
Documents Required to Fill Out DS-160 Form
You must have the following documents ready before filling out your form DS-160. The form is long and requires a lot of information. Make sure to keep these documents and information handy before you start the application.
- Valid passport: You need a valid passport. The validity requirements for the passport depend on your nationality. Refer to the six-month club update on the CBP website for current passport validity requirements for US visa applications.
- Old passports (if any): You need your old passports to fill out the information on any previously issued US visas and travel history in the last 5 years.
- Digital photo: You need one digital photo as per the US visa photo requirements. Otherwise, you must carry two copies of 2-inch x 2-inch (50mmx50mm) photos to your personal interview.
- Travel itinerary: You need your US travel itinerary such as the date of arrival, length of the trip, etc. If you had made travel arrangements already, you would need your flight and hotel details as well.
- National ID: You need your National ID as you would need to fill in your national ID number.
- SSN or ITIN: If you have lived in the US before, you need to fill out your SSN or ITIN information. You need these documents handy as well.
- Employment history documents: You need information about your employment history starting from your current employer and past two employers.
- Education history documents: You need information about your education starting from your highest education all the way to high school.
- Travel history documents: You need information about the countries you have traveled in the last 5 years.
- Other Information: You also need information about your family, travel companions, social media accounts and the details of your US contact person.
***
Form DS-160 Fee
There is no fee to fill out form DS-160. This is only the first step in your US visa application process. You will pay the visa fee of $185 in the next step, which is scheduling your visa interview.
***
Form DS-160 Processing Time
There is no processing time for form DS-160. When you submit your form, the confirmation page is displayed immediately.
Again, keep in mind that filling out this form is only the first step in your US visa application process. You would still need to schedule and attend your visa interview.
***
Form DS-160 Validity
The validity of your DS-160 form depends on whether you are still filling it out or already submitted it.
Unsubmitted: Form DS-160 is valid for 30 days from the day of starting the application. You must complete and submit your form within this time period. After 30 days, the form will expire, and you will need to complete a new form.
Submitted: Form DS-160 is valid for one year from the day of submission. You must use this submitted DS-160 to schedule your interview within one year.
***
DS-160 Confirmation Number
When you submit your completed DS-160 form, you will receive a confirmation page with a unique 10-digit barcode. This barcode is your DS-160 confirmation number. You must make a note of this 10-digit code. You would need this to schedule your visa appointment.
***
How to Fill Out DS-160 Form?
Below are the various sections of the form DS-160 and the information required to fill out each section.
Section 01: Getting Started
Start your DS-160 form by going to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Select the location and click on “Start An Application”. Make a note of the Application ID displayed.
Section 02: Personal
Enter your personal details such as your name, gender, date of birth, marital status, nationality, national ID number and US social security number (if you have one).
Section 03: Address and Phone
Enter your home and mailing address, phone and email addresses.
Section 04: Passport
Enter your passport details such as the passport number, place of issue, date of issue and expiration.
Section 05: Travel
Enter the purpose of your trip, details of your travel plans and whether you or some else is paying for the trip.
Section 06: Travel Companions
Enter the details of your travel companions. If you will be traveling by yourself, simply select “No” and move on to the next section.
Section 07: Previous U.S. Travel
Enter information about your previous US visa and US travel details. If you have never been to the US, select “No” and move on to the next section.
Section 08: U.S. Contact
Enter the information about your point of contact in the US. If you are a tourist, enter the details of your hotel or family/friend where you will stay.
Section 09: Family
Enter your father’s and mother’s information and details of any relatives that you have in the US.
Section 10: Work / Education / Training
Enter your employment, education and travel history information. This section is applicable only to certain applicants. If you do not see this section, simply move on to the next section.
Section 11: Security and Background
In this section, read and answer each and every security question. Every security question is important so make sure to answer accurately.
Section 12: Photo
In this section, upload your photo as per the photo requirements. This section is not applicable to applicants from certain countries. So if this section is not shown, move on to the next one.
Section 13: Review
In this section, review the information you have entered so far. This section will have 7 subsections, so take your time and review each and every detail for accuracy. Past this step, you cannot correct any information.
Section 14: Sign and Submit
In this section, electronically sign application and submit it. If someone helped you in filling out the form, enter their details and electronically sign the form.
To make this process easier, I have prepared a step-by-step guide with screenshots on how to fill DS-160 form. Refer to this guide and follow along.
***
How to Print DS-160 Confirmation Page?
After you submit your form DS-160, a confirmation page will be displayed. Click on the “Print Confirmation” button to print it on a letter size or A4 sheet. If you do not have access to a printer, save it as a PDF so you can print it later.
If you have already submitted your DS-160 but did not print your confirmation page, follow the below steps.
- Step 1: Go to the CEAC website and click on the “Retrieve an Application” button.
- Step 2: Enter your 10-digit application ID number (DS-160 confirmation number) and click on “Retrieve Application”. This will retrieve your submitted DS-160.
- Step 3: Click on the “Print Application Confirmation” button. A new window will open, displaying your confirmation page.
- Step 4: Click on the “Print” button to print your DS-160 confirmation. If you do not have access to a printer, save the confirmation page as a PDF so you can print it later.
After printing, keep the confirmation page in your records as you will need this for your visa interview appointment.
***
How to Retrieve DS-160 Form After Submission?
Follow the below steps to retrieve a DS-160 form after submission.
- Step 1: Go to the CEAC website and click on the “Retrieve an Application” button.
- Step 2: Enter your 10-digit application ID (also called DS-160 confirmation number) and click on “Retrieve Application”. This will retrieve your submitted DS-160.
You can edit the form or print the confirmation from here.
***
How to Edit DS-160 Form After Submission?
Follow the below steps to edit a DS-160 form after submission.
- Step 1: Go to the CEAC website and click on the “Retrieve an Application” button.
- Step 2: Enter your 10-digit application ID (also called DS-160 confirmation number) and click on “Retrieve Application”. This will retrieve your submitted DS-160.
- Step 3: Click on the “Create a New Application” button. This will create a new form DS-160 and auto-populate the information from your old DS-160.
- Step 4: Make edits where necessary and submit the form. A new DS-160 confirmation will be displayed. Click on the “Print” button to print this new confirmation page.
***
How to fill out DS-160 for a family?
If you are applying for a US nonimmigrant visa as a family, each family member must submit a separate form DS-160. Follow these steps for completing the form for everyone in the family.
- Step 1: Start your (primary applicant) DS-160 form first. Add your family members as your travel companions.
- Step 2: After submitting your form, on the “thank you” page, you will be given the option to create DS-160 forms for your family members.
- Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions from there, some of the common information (such as travel dates, companions, etc) will be copied over to your family members’ forms. This saves time and helps to avoid making mistakes.
***
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to fill out the DS-160?
It takes about 60-90 minutes to complete the DS-160. If you don’t have the information required handy, it can take days to fill out the form. In such a case, you can save the form and revisit it as and when you gather the information necessary.
Do I need to complete DS-160 before visa appointment?
Yes, you must complete and submit form DS-160 before your visa appointment. Completing the DS-160 form is a prerequisite to scheduling a visa appointment.
Can someone else complete the DS-160 on my behalf?
Yes, someone else can complete your DS-160 on your behalf. But they must identify themselves at the end of the application within the “Sign and Submit” section. After which, you must personally review and sign the completed form before submitting it.
Can I make changes to my DS-160 form after submission?
Once you submit your DS-160 form, you cannot make any changes to it. However, you can create a new form and submit it with the correct information. You can pre-fill the new form DS-160 by using “Retrieve Application” with your old DS-160 Application ID.
What is an online nonimmigrant visa application?
Form DS-160 is also referred to as a nonimmigrant visa application form. The US Department of State assigns a number to each immigration form and hence the name DS-160. DS may stand for Department of State but there is no official documentation to confirm.
