Everything You Need to Know About the Form DS-160

##### Everything You Need to Know About the Form DS-160

The Form DS-160, also known as the [Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application](/immigration-resources/form-ds160-us-nonimmigrant-visa-application), is a mandatory electronic form for those seeking temporary travel to the United States, including for [tourism (B-2), business (B-1), or both (B-1/B-2)](/services/b-1-b-2-visitor-visa), as well individuals traveling to the U.S. to be married [(k-1 fiancé(e) visa)](/immigration-resources/k1-visa-documentation-guide).

The DS-160 gathers information about your personal, educational, and professional background specifically for the Visa application process. Together with the [Embassy interview](/immigration-resources/how-to-prepare-for-marriage-green-card-interview), it’s used by Consular Officers to determine your eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Navigating the DS-160 can be complex but is crucial for a successful visa application. Every applicant, including children, must complete their own form prior to scheduling an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. While filing the DS-160 is free and can technically be done without professional assistance, having expert guidance can ensure that your application stands the best chance of approval.

How Much Does it Cost to Submit Form DS-160?

While submitting the DS-160 form online is free, applicants should note that there are additional, non-refundable fees involved in the U.S. visa application process. The most common is the [visa application fee](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html^), the cost of which varies depending on the type of nonimmigrant visa you're applying for. 

For non-immigrant visas such as the tourist, business, or TAN visas, the visa fee is $185.

These fees must be paid after submitting the DS-160 and before your interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The payment process can vary some depending on the embassy or consulate, but you should expect to be able to pay by cash (USD), check, or credit card.

How Long Does it Take to Process Form DS-160?

The DS-160 form is processed immediately upon submission, but the majority of visa applicants must attend an embassy interview, which [slows the overall process](/citas/wait-times).

The total time from form submission to visa approval can range from a few weeks to several months. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of their intended travel dates to accommodate any delays. 

The Form DS-160 is a requirement for anyone seeking a nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States, including [tourists (B-2), business travelers (B-1)](/services/b-1-b-2-visitor-visa), and individuals applying for [K (fiancé(e)) visas](/immigration-resources/k-1-visa-application-timeline). Each visa applicant, no matter their age, must complete their own DS-160 form, or have the form completed on their behalf (this includes children and even infants).

What Documents are Required for the DS-160?

To successfully complete the Form DS-160, applicants will need a range of documents on hand to answer questions accurately. The required documents include:

Note that the list above is not exhaustive, and additional documentation may be required based on the specific type of visa for which you are applying. Being well-prepared and having all required documents readily available can facilitate a smoother application process.

To begin, navigate to the [Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website](/immigration-resources/consular-processing-guide), the official online portal where all DS-160 forms must be submitted. No paper version of this form is available. Once you're on the site, you'll be prompted to choose your visa application location. If your plans change, don't worry—you can schedule your interview at a different embassy or consulate later. After selecting the location, click 'Start a New Application.'

Take note of your Application ID displayed on the top right-hand corner of the screen, and keep it safe along with the answer to a security question you'll be asked. These credentials allow you to access your incomplete application in case you need to return to it later.

Prepare to spend approximately 90 or more minutes on this form. Have all required documents, such as your passport, previous U.S. visas if applicable, and details of your U.S. travel plans, at hand so that you can provide accurate responses to the form’s questions. If your answers are incorrect, it could result it delays or denial of your visa.

The form consists of several parts, which are listed below. After starting the application, you will be able to fill in the different sections of the form. You do not need to fill the sections in order and you are able to save your progress and return later.

Each section's information must be filled out accurately and in English, using the English alphabet, except where noted otherwise.

After filling out each section, you'll have an opportunity to review your answers. Once verified, electronically sign the application, confirm your application location, and submit the form. A confirmation page with a barcode will appear; print this out for your interview.

Successfully navigating the DS-160 can be a daunting task. Leveraging professional guidance can streamline this intricate process, helping you avoid common pitfalls and significantly improving the chances of your application's approval.

What Questions Will I Be Asked on the DS-160?

What Common Mistakes Can Lead to Visa Denial?

One of the most common errors that applicants make on the DS-160 is selecting the wrong visa category. If you apply for the wrong type of visa, your application will be denied and you will need to submit it again.

Another common error is providing an incomplete or inconsistent home address. Make sure the address you enter matches other official documents to avoid raising any red flags.

Incorrect Information on Prior U.S. Visits

If you have previously traveled to the U.S., it's vital to report accurate dates and details of your visits. You should aim to provide exact dates of your previous U.S. travel. If you can’t remember the exact dates, try to be as accurate as you can, since large discrepancies can raise questions about the integrity of your application.

When detailing your travel history to other countries over the past five years, do not forget to include other countries that you have traveled to. Failing to report a country you've visited can put your application at risk.

Lastly, if someone is assisting you with filling out the DS-160 form, it's important to disclose this accurately. Specify the name and, if applicable, the organization of the person completing the application for you.

If you choose My-Visa-USA to assist with your application process, we will submit the Form DS-160 on your behalf, ensuring the application has been filled and filed correctly.

What Should I Do After Submitting the DS-160?

Once you have completed and submitted the Form DS-160, a alpha-numeric barcode confirmation page will be generated. You must print this confirmation page for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

After printing your confirmation page, visit the [web portal of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate](https://www.usembassy.gov/^) (which you selected when starting your application) for further instructions, since the process of scheduling an interview differs between embassies or consulates.

While a visa interview is a common requisite for most visa applicants, some may qualify for exemptions or simplified visa renewal processes. For instructions tailored to your location and visa type, please refer to the embassy or consulate website, or use My-Visa-USA as your visa services provider.

To ensure a smooth DS-160 application process, and to ensure you have all the information you need to answer the questions on the form, you will need:

Depending on which visa you are applying for, you may also need:

There is no fee for the DS-160, however you must still pay the [visa associated fees](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html^), which for the B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visa is $185 USD.

No. All responses must be in **English**, using **English characters only**, except for your full name, which can be provided in your native alphabet.

My-Visa-USA provides a **translated version** of the DS-160 so that you can fill the form in your own language. After you finish the form, **a native American speaker will translate your answers to American English**, ensuring that your application is not only submitted in the correct language, but also that your answers are accurate and consistent and make sense in the national language.

Yes, each application for a non-immigrant visa must have its own completed DS-160 form, even if the application is a visa renewal (meaning that you have had the same type of American visa in the past).

Most questions are mandatory. Optional questions will be marked as such, and questions irrelevant to your case can be answered with 'Does Not Apply'. Incomplete applications cannot be submitted and improperly filled applications may result in visa denial.

While applicants are highly encouraged to interview at the location they initial chose when starting the application, any American Consulate or Embassy should be able to retrieve your application using the barcode from your DS-160 confirmation page, irrespective of the initial location chosen. This means that if you do need to change the location of your interview, for unforeseen reasons or to get an appointment sooner, you will not need to fill out a new DS-160.

Each individual must complete a separate DS-160 application, however there is an option to create a family or group application. This allows you to fill out the basic information once and then auto-fill the information for each family member. Each family member will still need to complete their own application, but this can save time and effort.

Saved applications can be retrieved using the Application ID, which is generated at the beginning of the process. Make sure you document the DS-160 Application ID when starting, but if you forget it, you can [retrieve your Application ID](/immigration-resources/ds-160-questions-and-how-to-respond).

Once submitted, you cannot alter the information on the DS-160 form. However, if you realize that you have made an error you may fill out a **NEW** DS-160 Form and bring the **BOTH** the new and the old confirmation pages to your embassy interview.

The DS-160 form is valid as long as the information remains current and accurate, typically up to the date of your visa interview.

The time required depends on the applicant, how well they understand the form, and if they already have their documents (e.g. passport, travel itinerary, travel history, job or educational history) collected or not. You should plan to spend at minimum one hour filling the form DS-160 if you are prepared and understand the form.

The short answer is no, you do not need to bring the printed application to the interview. You are required however to bring the printed confirmation page to the interview.

With that being said, some applicants decide to print out their entire DS-160 and bring it with them so that they can review their responses before the interview.

You can find your DS-160 confirmation page on the CEAC website after completing the form. If you do not have a printer at home, we recommend you look for printing services in your home town to print in advance, or near the location of your interview to print before your interview.

If your application is [rejected](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-denials.html^) due to incomplete or incorrect information, you will need to complete and submit a new application. If your application is rejected for another reason (e.g. you are not eligible for the visa you applied for), you will need to wait until your circumstances change before applying again.

What are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Form DS-160?

What documents should I have on hand while filling out the DS-160?

Can I answer DS-160 questions in my native language?

Do I need to complete the DS-160 for travel visa renewal?

What if I choose a different U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the interview than the one indicated in my DS-160?

Can I submit a group or family application?

How do I retrieve a saved DS-160 application?

Can I make changes to a submitted DS-160 form?

Do I need to bring the printed DS-160 application to the interview in the embassy or consulate?

Where can I find my DS-160 confirmation page and how can I print it?

What should I do if my DS-160 application is rejected?

Need assistance with the U.S. visa application process? Our guide provides clear instructions on scheduling embassy appointments and identifying necessary documents. Get all the essential information for your visa process at My Visa USA.

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