The DS-160 application form

Who uses the DS-160 (and who does not)

The DS-160 is for nonimmigrant, temporary categories: visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), exchange visitor (J), temporary worker (H, L, O, P, Q, R), treaty trader/investor (E), and K fiance(e) visas, among others.

It is not used by everyone travelling to the United States. Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries who qualify apply for an ESTA authorisation instead, and people seeking to immigrate permanently through a U.S. consulate complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application rather than the DS-160.

• Nonimmigrant / temporary stay -> DS-160
• Immigrant / permanent residence via a consulate -> DS-260
• Eligible Visa Waiver Program travel -> ESTA (esta.cbp.dhs.gov)

Completing the form online

You complete the DS-160 entirely online through CEAC. When you start, the system issues an application ID beginning with the letters AA; write it down carefully, because you will need it (together with answers to security questions) to log back in, retrieve, or reprint your application.

Answers must be provided in English using English characters, except where the form specifically allows otherwise. The session times out after roughly 20 minutes of inactivity, so save your progress regularly. You can save a partly finished application and return to it later rather than completing everything in one sitting.

• Start at ceac.state.gov and record your AA application ID
• Answer in English characters unless told otherwise
• Save often; sessions expire after about 20 minutes idle
• Answer every question honestly and consistently with your supporting documents

The photograph

As part of the DS-160 you upload a digital photo that meets the Department of State's current digital image requirements. If the upload succeeds and the photo displays correctly on your confirmation page, you usually do not need to bring a separate printed photo. If the confirmation page shows an X where the photo should be, the upload failed and you should bring a compliant printed photograph to your interview.

Photo standards change and are strict, so check the official photo requirements page before you upload rather than relying on an old picture.

The confirmation page

After you submit, print the confirmation page. It carries the barcode the consular section scans to open your specific application, so you must bring it to the interview. Without it, the post may be unable to process your case.

If you lose the printout, you can reprint it: return to CEAC, choose the embassy or consulate where you are applying, use the retrieve-application option, and enter your application ID. Submitting the DS-160 does not by itself complete your visa application; the application is only formally made when a consular officer interviews you.

How it fits into the wider process

The DS-160 is one step among several. Separately from the form, most applicants pay the MRV visa application fee and schedule a visa interview. As of the baseline date the MRV fee is 185 US dollars for most non-petition categories (such as B, F, M and J), 205 US dollars for petition-based categories (H, L, O, P, Q, R), and 315 US dollars for E treaty trader/investor visas. Some applicants also owe reciprocity or issuance fees that vary by nationality, and students and exchange visitors pay a separate SEVIS I-901 fee.

Fees change over time, so confirm the current amounts on the official pages before paying. Keep your DS-160 confirmation, your passport, your appointment confirmation, and your fee receipt together for the interview.

• MRV fee: 185 USD (most NIV) / 205 USD (petition-based H,L,O,P,Q,R) / 315 USD (E treaty) - confirm current figures officially
• Students and exchange visitors also pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
• Fees and photo standards change; always check the official page before acting