The DS-160 form is known as the online nonimmigrant visa application. It is filed as part of the process requesting temporary travel to the United States. It is also used for K (fiancé(e)) visas.
Electronically submitting your DS-160 online application is only the first step in a lengthy and comprehensive visa application process. You should talk to an immigration attorney to avoid making DS-160 mistakes that can prove costly and set your travel plans back months.
The first step in applying for a nonimmigrant visa is to complete the online application through the U.S. Department of State. It takes about 90 minutes to complete the application. You should then move on to the next steps.
Consular officers use the information you enter on form DS-160 to process your visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine your eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
The Department of State points out that visa applicants must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants who are applying for K visas. A K visa allows a foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.
What Documents Do You Need to Complete DS-160?
Immigration processes are often lengthy and one missing document can derail them. The DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application is no exception. Ensure you have the following documents when you make an application:
- Your Passport;
- Travel itinerary, if you have made travel arrangements before applying.
- Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States, if you previously visited the United States, you must list up to five trips. You may also be asked for your international travel history over the past five years.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae – You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education as well as your employment history.
- Other Information – Some applicants, depending on their intended purpose of traveling to the United States, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160.
Certain applicants will need to have additional information and documents on hand to complete DS-160. These may include a SEVIS ID (printed on your I-20 or DS-2019 for students and foreign exchange visitors) and your I-129 if you are a petition-based temporary worker. Other temporary workers will be asked for details of their employer, including the employer’s address, when they complete their DS-160s.
What Language Must The DS-160 Application Be Completed In?
All answers on the form must be in English, using English characters only, except when you are asked to give your full name in your native alphabet. We occasionally hear of applications that are completed in languages other than English. These applications are denied and you may be required to start the application again.
Translations of questions on Form DS-160 are available in many languages from the drop-down menu in the right upper corner of the application to assist you in completing the form in English.
Does a DS-160 Application Have to be Submitted Immediately?
No. You can save the DS-160 application or go back to a partially completed online application. When you start a new DS-160, you will be issued a unique application identification (ID) number after choosing and answering a security question. Once you have the application ID number and have selected and answered a security question, you may exit the DS-160 application and return to it later, as long as you log back in within thirty days.
Next Steps After Completing the DS-160.
Don’t assume the process is over once you have completed the online DS-160. You should take a few more steps to move the process forward.
You must print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. You are not required to print out the whole application, but you may find it helpful to keep a copy for your records
You must then schedule a visa interview. The U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country will not schedule the appointment for you. You must find the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your application will be processed, and make contact for an interview. Before you can schedule the interview, you must pay the visa application processing fee. Review the country-specific instructions on the U.S. Consulate or Embassy website.
Talk to a Lawyer About the DS-160 Application
The DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application can be daunting to those who are not familiar with it. Thousands of applicants make serious mistakes that jeopardize their attempts to come to the United States every year. Please contact our award-winning immigration team to ensure a seamless application process, or call 757-464-9224.