DS-160 FAQs

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 - 07:27

Status and Unlawful Presence Questions in the Form DS-160

Question

Having plans to travel to India in last week of Sept 17 and with my visa stamp on passport expiring on 1st Sept 2017, need to go for visa interview & when I am filling my DS-160, came across the question : Have you ever been unlawfully present, overstayed the amount of time granted by an immigration official or otherwise violated the terms of a U.S. visa? Considering the above situation, could you please help with what to answer Yes/No. If Yes, what comments to be written in the EXPLAIN BOX .

Answer

 

Video URL

 

Friday, July 29, 2011 - 06:06

Visa Categories Not Using the DS-160

Question

Are there any visa categories for which I should not fill out the DS-160?

Answer

Yes. If you are applying for a visa in any of the categories below, you should complete the DS-156, not the DS-160. You must also complete the DS-156K if you are applying for a K-1 visa.  If required, you should also complete the DS-157 and DS-158.


Visa Symbol                          Category


K-1                                  Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen


K-2                                  Child of a K-1


K-3                                  Spouse of a U.S. Citizen


K-4                                  Child of a K-3


 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 23:03

Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor, E Visa Applicants

Question

I am applying for a Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor, E Visa. Do I need to fill out the DS-160 and the DS-156E?

Answer

It depends. If you are a Treaty Investor (E-2) applicant, you need only complete the DS-160. If you are a Treaty Trader (E-1) or an Executive/Manager/Essential Employee (E-1 or E-2), you must complete the DS-160, and you or your employer must complete the paper DS-156E form.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 23:01

Alter Family or Group Applications

Question

If I use the option on the "Thank You" page to create a family or group application, can I modify the data automatically populated by the system?

Answer

Yes. If one of the dependents has a different surname or nationality, for example, you can alter that data before submitting the application.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 22:59

Family or Group Applications

Question

I am traveling with my family or as part of a group. Can I create a family or group application?

Answer

Yes. On the “Thank You” page you will see an option to create a family or group application. When you select this option, certain information from your application, such as destination, will automatically be imported to and displayed on a new application. Please note that if you use this option you must create an individual application for each family member or for each individual within the group.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 22:57

Reprint the confirmation page

Question

I submitted my online DS-160 application, but lost my confirmation page. Can I print a new one?

Answer

Yes, you can reprint the confirmation page of an application that has already been submitted. In order to do so, go into the Consular Electronic Application Center website and select the Embassy or Consulate at which you are applying. Hit “Option C-Retrieve Application” on the Getting Started page and enter your application ID number. From there you will be able to view and print your confirmation page.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 22:55

DS-160 Confirmation Page

Question

Should I bring my entire application or just the confirmation page with me to the interview?

Answer

You are not required to bring your entire application. For your interview, you are required to bring your confirmation page with your application ID number on it so we can retrieve your DS-160. You must bring the confirmation page with you during all phases of the application process. Without the confirmation page, we may not be able to process your visa case.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 22:53

Scheduling a new appointment after completing DS-160

Question

After I have corrected or completed my DS-160 application, do I need to schedule a new appointment or return to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate?

Answer

Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied for specific instructions.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 22:49

Correcting Answers on a Submitted DS-160

Question

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate where I went for my visa interview denied my application because my DS-160 contained errors or was incomplete. What does this mean and what do I need to do next?

Answer

DS-160 applications submitted before April 1, 2010 cannot be reopened, and therefore, you must complete and submit a new DS-160.The Embassy or Consulate should reopen your DS-160 submitted after April 1, 2010 if your application is denied for this reason and ask you to correct it, as explained below:
DS-160 applications submitted on or after November 1, 2010: Enter your application ID number and answer additional questions as prompted to access and correct your application. 
DS-160 applications submitted on or after April 1, 2010, but before November 1, 2010: Enter your barcode or confirmation number into the Application ID field and answer additional questions as prompted to access and correct your application.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 01:05

DS-160 confirmation page and uploading photo

Question

The confirmation page has an "X" in the box where the photo should be. What does that mean?

Answer

That means that the photo upload failed. Therefore, you should submit one printed photograph meeting our requirements, along with the online DS-160 confirmation page, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at which you plan to apply for your visa. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying for specific instructions on how to do this. See the print photo format found in the Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements for more information. If the confirmation page includes a photo image, then the photo upload function was successful and no separate print photograph is required.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 01:00

Uploading a Photo to your DS-160

Question

I understand that I can upload a photo with my application. How do I get a digital photo that will successfully upload to my application?

Answer

Please refer to the Guidelines for Photographs - for Online Visa Applications for detailed guidance.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 00:57

Reusing the DS-160 on your computer

Question

I apply for U.S. visas often. Can I reuse the DS-160?

Answer

Yes. To do so, you must save your DS-160 to your computer’s hard drive or a disk. You can then access it to update and resubmit your application.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 00:55

Data changes on DS-160

Question

Why did the edits I made from the review page "edit" link not save?

Answer

In order for data changes made from the review page links to save, you must use the buttons at the bottom of each page to navigate, instead of the browser's back/forward buttons or the buttons along the side of the screen.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 01:20

Application “times out,” or error received while saving DS-160

Question

What if I lose my internet connection, the application “times out,” or I receive an error? Will my application be lost?

Answer

All information is automatically saved when each page is completed, so your application will not be lost. You will need to enter the application ID number, and answer other questions as prompted, to retrieve your application. Once your application has been retrieved, it will begin at the last page you completed. You will be able to edit previous pages, if needed.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 03:56

Saving DS-160 application on a computer

Question

How do I save my DS-160 application to my computer hard drive or a disk?

Answer

Saving to a hard drive or disk will allow you to be able to access your application after 30 days. To permanently save your application to your computer hard drive or a disk, select the “Save Application to File” button. Then, click the “Save” button on the File Download window. Identify a place on your computer to save the application file, browse to that location, and click the “Save” button on the “Save As” window. The system will download your application to the specified location. Once the download is complete, you can click “Close” to return to the application. You can then use the “Import Application Date” option on the “Getting Started” page to upload the data that you have already entered.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 03:50

Accessing partially completed DS-160 application

Question

Can I access a partially completed DS-160 application I started before November 1, 2010, but did not submit?

Answer

Yes, but only for 30 days. You must enter your barcode or confirmation number into the Application ID field, and provide other information as prompted. To access your application after 30 days, you must save it to your computer hard drive or a disk.


Applications started before April 1, 2010, but not submitted, cannot be accessed.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 03:48

Saving your DS-160 application

Question

How can I save my application? Can I stop in the middle of the application and return to it later?

Answer

As of November 1, 2010, you can save your application, or return to a partially completed application. When you begin a new DS-160, you will be issued a unique application identification (ID) number, after selecting and answering a security question. Once you have your application ID number and have selected and answered a security question, you may exit the DS-160 application and return to it later. You must have your application ID to return to your application. To save your DS-160 to the Consular Electronic Application Center website, click the “Next” button at the bottom of each page you complete. You have 30 days to return to a partially completed application.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 04:12

DS-160 and third party signature

Question

Can a third party complete the form on my behalf? Who is exempt from signing the form?

Answer

If an applicant is illiterate or unable to complete the application, the applicant must be assisted by a third party. The third party must be identified on the “Sign and Submit” page of the application. While the third party can assist the applicant in completing the application, he or she must instruct the applicant on how to endorse the application on his or her own behalf by clicking the “Sign Application” button.


If the applicant is under the age of 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, the applicant’s parents or guardian may complete and click the “Sign Application” button on his or her behalf. If the applicant has no parent or legal guardian, then the application may be completed by any person having legal custody of, or a legitimate interest in, the applicant.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 04:09

DS-160 form Signature

Question

How do I sign the DS-160 form?

Answer

You electronically sign your DS-160 by clicking the “Sign Application” button at the end of the form. Failure to sign may result in termination of the application. Your electronic signature certifies that you have read and understood the questions in the application and that your answers are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief. The submission of an application containing any false or misleading statements may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States. All declarations made in the application are unsworn declarations made under penalty of perjury.


Unless you are exempted from appearing in person, your fingerprints will be electronically scanned on the day of your interview. By providing your fingerprints, you will again certify that that you have answered all questions on the DS-160 truthfully and to the best of your knowledge, and that you will tell the truth during your visa interview. You will be directed to read the following statement prior to having your fingerprints scanned:


“By submitting my fingerprint, I am certifying under penalty of perjury that I have read and understood the questions in my visa application and that all statements that appear in my visa application have been made by me and are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.


Furthermore, I certify under penalty of perjury that I will tell the truth during my interview and that all statements made by me during my interview will be complete to the best of my ability.”

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 04:06

Principal applicant while completing DS-160

Question

The form asks if I am the principal applicant. What is a principal applicant?

Answer

If you, or your family, are applying for B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visas, you are all considered principal applicants, and each of you should select that box.


Applicants in the E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or R visa categories may have a principal applicant as well as what is called derivative applicants. Derivative applicants are the spouse and/or children under the age of 21 of a person applying for an employment type (E, H, I, L, O, P, R), exchange (J), or student (F, M) visa, as listed above. These spouse and child (derivative) applicants should answer “no” to this question and provide the requested information for the principal applicant (the spouse or parent).

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 04:05

Providing the name of a contact or organization while completing DS-160

Question

The form asks that I provide the name of a contact or organization and a phone number, but I am not visiting anyone in the United States.

Answer

If you do not know anyone personally in the United States, but you are traveling here to visit a particular store, company, or organization, you may provide the name of the store, company, or organization you intend to visit. Otherwise, you may select “Does not apply.”

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 04:02

Passport Book Number while completing DS-160

Question

The form asks for my Passport Book Number, but I am not sure if I have one.

Answer

While all passports contain passport numbers, not all passports contain book numbers, so this question will only apply to citizens from some countries. If your country of citizenship or nationality does not issue passports with book numbers, you should select “Does not apply.” You may check with your country’s passport issuing office to verify whether or not your passport has a book number, separate from the passport number.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 03:59

Home phone number while completing DS-160

Question

The form asks for my home phone number, but I do not have one.

Answer

You should provide at least one contact phone number, so that the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can contact you by phone, if necessary. If you have provided a mobile or cell phone number, you may enter “Does not apply” for home phone number.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 03:57

Social Security number or a taxpayer identification number while completing DS-160

Question

What do I enter for U.S. Social Security Number and/or U.S. Taxpayer ID Number?

Answer

Applicants, who have worked in the United States, as well as others, will have Social Security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers. If you do not have a Social Security number or a taxpayer identification number, select “Does not apply”.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 03:55

National Identification Number and DS-160

Question

I do not have a National Identification Number. How should I answer this question?

Answer

If you are a citizen of a country that does not issue national identification numbers, select “Does not apply.”

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 03:53

Selecting U.S. Embassy or Consulate while completing DS-160

Question

What happens to my DS-160 if I select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate where I will be applying for my visa, but end up making an interview appointment instead at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate?

Answer

The Embassy or Consulate at which you actually apply should be able to access your form using the barcode on your DS-160 confirmation page, which you must bring to the visa interview. For example, a business traveler intends to apply for his visa at the U.S. Embassy in City X, so he selects City X as the location where he will submit his application when he completes his DS-160. He then has an urgent reason to travel to City Y on business. Because there is a U.S. Consulate in City Y, he schedules an appointment for a visa interview there, using the barcode from his completed DS-160 application for appointment scheduling. The U.S. Consulate in City Y is able to accept his DS-160 even though it lists the U.S. Embassy in City X as the location where he originally intended to submit his application.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 03:49

DS-160 and additional forms

Question

When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

Answer

No. The online DS-160 application replaced the DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary. NOTE: In addition to the DS-160, Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa applicants also must complete an additional form (see the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor, E Visa Applicants section below for more information). Only applicants for K, N, S, T, or U visas should use the DS-156 application form (see the Visa Categories Not Using the DS-160 section below for more information).

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 05:46

Mandatory questions on the DS-160

Question

Are all questions on the DS-160 mandatory?

Answer

Most questions are mandatory and must be answered in the spaces provided. You may leave spaces blank when the questions are marked “optional.” You may answer a question with “Does Not Apply,” when that question does not apply to you; however, all other questions must be answered. The system will not allow you to submit an application with any mandatory questions left unanswered. When a mandatory question has not been completed, an error message will be displayed and you will be required to answer the question before continuing with the application. If you do not answer questions that apply to your circumstances and/or purpose of travel, your form may be rejected.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 05:41

Completing the DS-160

Question

Can my answers be in my native language?

Answer

No. All answers must be in English, using English characters only, except when you are asked to provide your full name in your native alphabet. Applications submitted in any language other than English will be denied, and you may be required to submit a new application. While you must answer all questions in English, translations of questions are available in many languages from the drop-down menu in the right upper corner of the application. These translations should assist you in completing the form in English.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 05:37

Accessing the DS-160

Question

Where can I find the DS-160?

Answer

Access the DS-160, by clicking: Consular Electronic Application Center website. We recommend that you use Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers to access the DS-160.