Form DS-160, Explained
HOW TO FILE FORM DS-160 (ONLINE APPLICATION) FOR A TEMPORARY U.S. VISA.
What is a Form DS-160?
The Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) is essential for applying for any nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including tourism (B-1/B-2), fiancé(e) (K), student (F-1, M-1), and work (H-1B, O-1) visas. Completing the DS-160 form is crucial for obtaining a temporary visa to enter the United States.
Filing Fee
There is no fee to file form itself. However, applicants must pay a visa processing fee based on the specific visa type:
- Non-Petition-Based Visas:
- The fee is $185. This covers visas for tourism (B-2), business (B-1), and certain professional categories (TN).
- Petition-Based Visas:
- The fee is $205. This applies to work visas and other petition-based categories.
Fee Details
Visa fees vary by type and can be confirmed on the U.S. Department of State website. Ensure you check the applicable fee for your visa category.
Who needs to complete the form?
Anyone applying for a temporary visa to the U.S. must complete Form DS-160. Common visa types requiring this form include:
- B1/B2 Visitor Visas: For individuals traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism or medical treatment (B-2), or a combination of both (B-1/B-2).
- K Visas: For fiancés and spouses of U.S. citizens, as well as their children.
- F-1 and M-1 Visas: For students pursuing academic or vocational studies in the U.S.
- J-1 Visas: For exchange visitors participating in cultural and educational programs.
- H-1B Visas: For professionals in specialty occupations.
- L-1 Visas: For intracompany transferees.
- O-1 Visas: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement.
- P Visas: For athletes, artists, and entertainers.
Each individual, including children, must have their own Form DS-160. If a child is unable to complete the form, a third party can assist, but their details must be provided on the form.
Processing time
There is no processing time for the form itself. After submission, you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode. Print this page and bring it to your visa interview. For most tourism and visitor visas, processing after the interview takes 7-10 working days, plus delivery time.
Required documents
To complete Form DS-160, you need:
- Passport: For identification.
- Travel Itinerary: Details of your trip.
- National ID Number: Issued by your home country.
- Social Security Number or U.S. Taxpayer ID: If applicable.
- Travel and Employment History: Relevant to your application.
- SEVIS ID: For students (found on Form I-20 or DS-2019).
- Recent Photograph: Meeting U.S. government guidelines.
How to fill out the form?
Form must be completed and submitted online via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). There is no paper version of this form. You can view a sample DS-160 to prepare but must complete the online form. For more information contact us now.
Sections of Form DS-160
- Personal Information: Provide basic personal details such as name and date of birth.
- Travel Information: Outline your trip details including dates and U.S. address.
- Travel Companions: List individuals traveling with you.
- Previous U.S. Travel: Detail any past visits to the U.S. and any visa denials.
- Address and Phone Number: Enter current contact information and social media handles.
- Passport Information: Supply details from your passport, including any lost or stolen passport information.
- U.S. Point of Contact: List a U.S. contact or organization you will visit.
- Relatives: Provide information about family members, including those in the U.S.
- Work, Education, and Training: Detail your work history and educational background.
- Security and Background Information: Answer security-related questions.
- Applicant Photo: Upload a recent photo meeting U.S. guidelines.
- Review and Submit: Review all information, confirm the application location, and submit the form.
Saving and Submitting
You can save your progress and return within 30 days. For multiple applications, you can create a family application to pre-fill some details.
What happens after filing Form?
Confirmation and Interview
After submitting form, print the confirmation page. Bring this to your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Check with the embassy or consulate about scheduling your interview and further processing steps.
Application Status
You can track your DS-160 application status on the U.S. Department of State website.
Form DS-160 FAQs
There is no fee to file DS-160. However, you will still need to pay the fees for the visa you’re applying for.
All individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States are required to complete DS-160. This includes applicants for tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and work visas.
You can access the DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Application Form) on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. You will need to create an account and login before you can begin filling out the form.
You will need your passport, travel itinerary, national ID number issued by your home country, dates for the last five trips you took to the U.S., employment history, and a photo that meets government requirements.
The amount of time it takes to complete Form DS-160 varies depending on the individual applicant. However, it is generally recommended that you allow at least one hour to complete the form.
You sign the DS-160 electronically by clicking the “Sign Application” button at the bottom of the form.
No, you are only required to bring your printed DS-160 confirmation page showing your application ID number to your interview.
Yes, you can print another copy of your DS-160 confirmation page on the CEAC website. Select the embassy or consulate at which you’re applying and click “Option C-Retrieve Application” on the Getting Starting page. Once you enter your Application ID number you will be able to view and print your confirmation page.
Yes, all individuals who are applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States are required to complete Form DS-160, regardless of whether they are applying for a new visa or a renewal of their existing visa