The DS160 is a Department of State form that is submitted online as part of a nonimmigrant U.S. visa application. For some applications, such as a B2 visa application, the DS160 makes up the primary part of the application and is the only document that is submitted before the visa interview. For more complex visas, such as the E-2 visa, the DS160 is only one component of the application and is submitted along with a large package of supporting documents.
What are the steps to complete the DS160?
To complete the DS160, you should visit the Consular Electronic Application Center for the U.S. Department of State and select the location where you will apply. You will then need to input all requested information. This includes biographical details, social media history, information about your family, work and education, information on your travel plans, the type of visa you are applying for, past trips to the U.S. and security information. It may also ask for additional information, depending on what type of visa you are applying for.
Once you have added all this information, you should double check your answers and download a copy of the application for your records. You can then submit the DS160. You should retain the DS160 confirmation page as you will need this information to make your visa appointment and you will need to bring the confirmation page to the visa interview.
What if I make a mistake on the DS160?
If you make a mistake on the DS160 and you notice it before your interview, it is advisable to fill out a new DS160 and bring the corrected version to the interview. If the mistake is minor, such as a typo, you may not need to complete a new DS160 and can just point out the issue to the officer during your visa interview.
What if I decide to apply at a different U.S. Consulate after submitting my DS160?
You should contact the Consulate where you are attending the appointment to ask if you need to submit a new DS160. The Consulate should be able to access your DS160 application using the information on your DS160 confirmation page. However, some Consulates prefer that you submit a new DS160, so it is a good idea to check with the Consulate before the interview.
FREE Visa Resources
Click on the buttons below in order to claim your free Visa Guide (E-1, E-2, TN, EB-5, H-1B, L-1, PERM, NIW, EB-1, O-1, E-3), sign up for our free Webinar, join our Facebook Group, or watch our videos.
Set up a Visa or Green Card Consultation
For a dedicated one-on-one consultation with one of our lawyers, click on the button below to schedule your consultation.
This website and blog constitutes attorney advertising. Do not consider anything in this website or blog legal advice and nothing in this website constitutes an attorney-client relationship being formed. Set up a one-hour consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results are no guarantee of future results and prior results do not imply or predict future results. Each case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
