DS-160 Form for Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Who Needs to Fill Out the DS-160 Form?

All the individuals who are applying for a temporary U.S. visa, no matter what the purpose of their trip is, need to fill out the form DS-160.

DS-160 Form Eligibility

Here are a few of the common nonimmigrant visa types for which you are required to fill out Form DS-160:

• K Visas: It is for the spouses and fiancés of U.S. citizens, as well as for their children.  
• J-1 Visas: It is for exchange visitors who are participating in educational and cultural programs. 
• B1/B2 Visitor Visas: For individuals who are travelling to the United States for temporary business, such as Business  (B-1), medical, or tourism treatment (B-2), or a combination of both (B-1/B-2). 
• F-1 and M-1 Visas: It is for students who are pursuing vocational and academic studies in the US.
• H-1B Visas: It is for those professionals who are in specialty occupations.
• L-1 Visas: It is for the intracompany transferees.
• P Visas: It is for athletes, entertainers, and artists. 
• O-1 Visas: It is for individuals who have extraordinary abilities and achievements.

How Much Does a Form DS-160 Cost?

There is no separate filing fee for Form DS-160. You have to pay the fees for the visa application process, which can be different, depending on the visa type (for example, non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas have a fee of $185, while the petition-based nonimmigrant visas have a specific fee of $205). You need to confirm the fees for your specific visa type and then only pay them.

Form DS-160 Processing Time

One good thing about Form DS-160 is that there is no processing time for Form DS-160. After you have completed and submitted the form on the CEAC website, you will receive a confirmation page along with a barcode. Make sure that you print this page and keep it with you carefully, as you need to bring it to your visa interview. 

If the application filed by you is approved during the interview, then the estimated time for travel visas is 7-10 working days, plus the time of delivery. Processing time can be different according to the location of the consulate or embassy. It is recommended that you check your specific service center for all the updates and information.

Steps for Filling Out the DS-160 Application Form

It is very important to fill out the Form DS-160 completely and accurately. Here is a step-by-step process to fill DS-160 application form: 

• Step 1: Create the account online and access the Form

  • Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
  • Navigate to the ‘Get Started’ section on the right side of the application.
  • Choose the location where you are applying for the visa by going to the drop-down menu.
  • After that, you need to enter the CAPTCHA code as shown on the screen.
  • Then click on ‘Start Application’.
  
  

  Now, you will be redirected to the page that contains the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Notices. Click on “I Agree” and access your application ID by scrolling down the page. You will also have to answer the security question that they will be asking you. 

  Step 2: Fill out each section of Form DS-160

  The information that you are going to fill in the form DS-160 is broken down into multiple sections. Each section asks for specific information. 

  In this section, we have provided you with the information on different sections of Form DS-160 and what they are about. Keep in mind that it is not important that you fill out this form in one sitting. You can fill it in 30 days by saving the progress. 

  
  

  Section	Information that you need to share
  Personal Information	Personal details include: Full name, marital status, DoB, and nationality Passport and/or National Identification Number (s) US social security number and taxpayer ID (if applied)
  Information about Travel	Travel plans include: Travelling purpose Travel start and end dates Address of your destination/US accommodations
  Travel Partners	Details of the individuals who are travelling with you, including: Names Date of Birth Their relationship with you
  Last U.S. travel	Details of all the previous US trips (up to 5)
  Contact Information	Contact details include: Home address Phone address Email address
  Passport Information	Passport details include: Passport number Issue date Expiration date
  U.S. point of contact	You need to provide the information on the US-based point of contact, either a business or an individual.  If you don’t know anybody in the US, then just mention the business or organization that you plan to visit on your trip.
  Information about Family	The details of the family members include: Parents Spouse/Partner Any relatives currently living in the US
  Work, training, and education	Details of the educational background and employment history: Names of the educational institutions that you have attended Information about present and past employers Relevant training experiences
  Security and Background	Answers to all the security-related questions. It also includes questions about criminal background and health.
  Photograph	Passport-size photo, meeting all the requirements of the US State Department.
  Additional Information	If there are any additional informational requirements, they can be different as per visa type.

  
  

  Step 3: Review Form DS-160 and Submit it

  Carefully review the information that you have provided in each of the sections and make sure that it's complete and correct. If you are sure about its accuracy, then submit the application.

Documents Required to Fill Form DS-160 Application

It is very necessary to collect all the required documents before filling out the form DS-160, as it helps in smoothing the process. Here are the Form DS-160 required documents:

• Valid Passport: The validity of the passport should be at least six months after your intended stay in the US.
• Employment History: Employment details for current and previous jobs, including job titles, addresses, and employer names. 
• Travel Itinerary: It includes the details such as planned accommodations and travel dates.
• U.S. Contact Information: A U.S.-based organization or person’s name, phone number, and address.
• Educational Background: It includes the information on all educational institutions attended and the degrees earned.
• Recent Photograph: A recent digital photo that should meet all the requirements. 

Tips for Successfully Filling out Form DS-160

After understanding the basics for filling out the DS-160form online, you should know a few tips to make the application process streamlined and easy. Here are a few of the tips:

• Regularly save your work: Keep in mind to regularly save your work while filling out the form. It is because the form times out very often, and you can lose all the unsaved information that you have filled in. So, save the information as you filled it, otherwise you will have to do it all again.
• Double-check for mistakes: It is very necessary that you make sure to double-check your errors, missed information, or inconsistencies, and review your application before submitting it. Otherwise, there are chances that you have to do the whole process again and resubmit the complete application.
• Download a copy: You will be given 30 days to complete and submit the application. After that, you will have to start the entire process again. If you realize that you will need more time than this, download a copy of the form onto your computer. This way, you can just copy the information from completed sections into the new application form. 

Consult an attorney: If you are not sure about any of the sections of the form DS-160, then it is advisable that you consult an immigration attorney. A lawyer can make you understand the whole process to make sure that your application is complete and correct before you submit it. This can help you in preventing potential delays in your visa process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Form DS-160

There are some common mistakes that non-immigrant visa applicants can avoid and prevent their applications from getting rejected. Here are a few of them:

• Inconsistent or Incorrect Information: Make sure that all the information that you provide in the form is correct and consistent with all the supporting documents, such as a passport. Even the small mistakes, such as birthdate errors or name spelling errors, can cause denials or delays.
• Not saving the confirmation number: The DS-160 confirmational number is very important. You will need it while booking your visa appointment. Hence, make sure that you save and print the confirmation page just after your submission. 
• Rushing Through the Form: Don’t fill out the Form DS-160 in a rush. Take your time in reading each section and review them carefully. Also, use the option “save”, so that you don’t lose the progress.
• Using Inaccurate Photos: You need to upload a photo that meets the photo requirements for the US photo. Your form can get rejected if there is a low-quality or poorly-sized photo.
• Omitting Information: Don’t leave any field or section blank unless it is marked as optional. The incomplete information can lead your form to get rejected, or you may also need to resubmit the form because of this.
• Submitting the Form late or too early: You need to submit the Form DS-160 at an appropriate time. If you submit it too late, which is close to your visa interview, then this will create scheduling problems. Submitting the form too early is also an issue, as there is a chance that it may need a few updates if your information changes.