How to fill DS-160 form online for US visa – A step-by-step guide

The first step in your US visa application process is to fill DS-160 form online. It is also the most important step as the result of your visa for the most part depends on your DS-160 form.

DS-160 is a very lengthy form, so it can take you a few days to complete. So, start your US visa process early. You can also save and come back to your DS-160 form at any time.

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Why is DS-160 form very important in your US visa application?

During the interview, you will not be asked to present any documentation at all. Your US visa result is mostly based on what you have entered in your DS-160 form and what you say during the interview.

Even if you are asked to present any documentation, the visa officers may compare what you have on the document with what you have entered in your DS-160 form. If any piece of information does not match, you may be asked to justify or your visa may be denied.

Therefore, filling your DS-160 form with highly relevant, accurate and honest information is very much necessary. Pay careful attention to every piece of information you enter in your DS-160 form.

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How to use this step-by-step guide

I have listed out all sections and questions in this guide. For each question, there is a comment explaining what exactly needs to be entered.

IMPORTANT
The result of your visa to the most part depends on the information you fill in your DS-160. Pay careful attention to the information you enter in your DS-160. It must be accurate, honest and must match with what you say during the visa interview. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT lie in your DS-160. This can lead to visa denial, visa ban or permanent blacklist.

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STEPS TO FILL DS-160 FORM

01. Getting Started

To start your DS-160 form online, head over to the US Department of State’s Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) page.

Enter the following details on the “Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa” page

• Select a location where you will be applying for this visa [Comment: Select the country where you intend to attend your US visa interview]
• Enter the code as shown [Comment: Enter the code shown in captcha in this field. This is to make sure you are a real human and not a bot]
• This visa application will ask you to upload a digital photo of yourself [Comment: If you already have a digital photo for your visa application, click on “Test Photo” to check if your photo meets with the specifications. If you don’t have a photo and want to know the photo requirements, click on “Photo Standard Guide”]

NOTE
The question “This visa application will ask you to upload a digital photo of yourself” is shown only for certain countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, etc. If you choose a country such as India, Mexico, etc., this question will not be shown.

After you have entered the above data, you will see 3 buttons –

• Start an Application [Comment: Click this button if you are starting a new application]
• Upload an Application [Comment: Click this button if you are uploading a locally saved application]
• Retrieve an Application [Comment: Click this button if you are retrieving a previously saved application]

You will only be using “Start an Application” and “Retrieve an Application” while filling out your DS-160. Let’s look into these options in detail –

Start an Application

Click this button when you are starting a new DS-160 application. This will create an Application ID, which you must print or at least make a note of. You will need the Application ID to retrieve your saved DS-160 application.

Retrieve an Application

The DS-160 session times out if left open for too long. If that happens, you can come back to your saved application (saved till the last section) using this option.

Sometimes you might need extra time to gather the information needed to fill DS-160 form. In that case, you can save and come back to your saved application using this option. You would need your DS-160 Application ID to retrieve the saved application.

After you enter the above data and click on “Start an Application”, you will then see the “Application Information” Screen. Your “Application ID” will be displayed here. Print this page. Or take a screenshot or make a note of the DS-160 Application ID somewhere. You will need your Application ID to retrieve your saved DS-160 application.

Enter the following details on the “Application Information” page

• Security Question [Comment: Select a security question from the list]
• Answer [Comment: Enter the answer for your security question]

IMPORTANT
Make a note of your “Application ID”, “Security Question” and “Answer”. The “Security Question and Answer” along with the “Application ID”, “Surname” and “Birth Year” are REQUIRED to retrieve your saved DS-160 visa application. If you forget any of this information, you will not be able to retrieve your saved application. You will have to start over again with a new DS-160 application.

NOTE
You will have 30 days to complete a partially saved DS-160 application. These 30 days are calculated from the last time you edited your application. If you do not complete and submit your DS-160 form within 30 days, your application will be deleted and you will have to start over again.

02. Personal

Enter the following information in the “Personal 1”

• Surnames [Comment: Enter your surname from your passport]
• Given Names [Comment: Enter your given name from your passport]
• Full Name in Native Alphabet [Comment: Enter only if you have accents or non-Latin characters in your name, otherwise just check “Does Not Apply/Technology Not Available”]
• Have you ever used other names (i.e, maiden, religious, professional, alias, etc.)? [Comment: Select “Yes” if you have a maiden name, otherwise select “No”]
• Do you have a telecode that represents your name? [Comment: Select “Yes” only if you have a Chinese name, otherwise just select “No”]
• Sex [Comment: Select “Male” or “Female”]
• Marital Status [Comment: Select your marital status from the options]
  • MARRIED
  • COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
  • CIVIL UNION/DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
  • SINGLE
  • WIDOWED
  • DIVORCED
  • LEGALLY SEPARATED
  • OTHER
• Date and Place of Birth
  • Date [Comment: Enter your date of birth]
  • City [Comment: Enter the city where you were born]
  • State [Comment: Enter the state/province where you were born]
  • Country/Region [Comment: Enter the country where you were born]

If you have accents or special characters in your name

The “Surnames” and “Given Names” fields DO NOT ALLOW accents or special characters. You must enter your name WITHOUT accents or special characters in the “Surnames” and “Given Names” fields. Use the “Full Name in Native Alphabet” field to enter your full name with accents and special characters.

If you have a middle name on your passport

If you have a middle name in your passport (ex: Philippines passport), you must add your middle name to your given name(s) and enter it in your DS-160 “Given Name”.

Example below.

In your current passport
Surname: XXXX
Given Names: YYYY ZZZZ
Middle Name: AAAA

This is how you will fill in your DS-160
Surname: XXXX
Given Names: YYYY ZZZZ AAAA

If your surname in the passport is “blank”

If your surname in the passport is “blank”, use the following format in your DS-160 form.

In your current passport
Surname:
Given Name: XXXX YYYY

This is how you will fill in your DS-160
Surname: XXXX YYYY
Given Name: FNU

Your US visa will be issued with the following name
Surname: XXXX YYYY
Given Name: FNU

NOTE: FNU means First Name Unknown.

IMPORTANT: You must get your passport fixed as soon as you can. It can create all kinds of issues, not only for visa applications but also at the airports. If you move to a foreign country to study or work, you won’t be able to open a bank account, apply for a driving license, etc.

What if your surname or given name is too long

You may be able to enter your Surname and Given Name completely in DS-160 form. But in the US visa, the Surname and Given Name fields have a certain character limit and will be truncated if over the character limit.

Even though your name is truncated in your US visa, it will not pose any problems with US immigration. US border officials are all aware of this and will not ask you any questions. You may be asked by the airline staff if they are not familiar with US visa name character limit.

Example below.

In your current passport
Surname: XXXX
Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYYZZZZ

This is how you will fill in your DS-160
Surname: XXXX
Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYYZZZZ

Your US visa will be issued with the following name
Surname: XXXX
Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYY

Enter the following information in the “Personal 2”

• Country/Region of Origin (Nationality) [Comment: Select your country of nationality]
• Do you hold or have you held any nationality other than the one indicated above on nationality? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you have acquired a nationality other than your birth nationality]
• Are you a permanent resident of a country/region other than your country/region of origin (nationality) indicated above? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you have acquired permanent residence in a country other your country of birth]
• National Identification Number [Comment: Check “Does Not Apply” | Enter your National Identification Number if your country has one]
• U.S. Social Security Number [Comment: Check “Does Not Apply” | Enter your US SSN if you have lived in the US before]
• U.S.Taxpayer ID Number [Comment: Check “Does Not Apply” | Enter your US TIN Number if you had/have one]

03. Address and Phone

Enter the following information in “Address and Phone”

• Home Address
  • Street Address (Line 1) [Comment: Enter your home street address]
  • Street Address (Line 2) *Optional [Comment: Enter any additional street address]
  • City [Comment: Enter your city]
  • State/Province [Comment: Enter your state/province]
  • Postal Zone/Zip Code [Comment: Enter your postal or zip code]
  • Country/Region [Comment: Select your country]
• Mailing Address
  • Is your Mailing Address the same as your Home Address? [Comment: Select “Yes” if your home and mailing addresses are same. Otherwise, select “No” and enter your mailing address]
• Phone
  • Primary Phone Number [Comment: Enter your cell phone number where the consulate can reach you if needed]
  • Secondary Phone Number [Comment: Enter your home phone number where the consulate can call you if your cell phone is not reachable. If you don’t have one, just check “Does Not Apply”]
  • Work Phone Number [Comment: Enter your work phone number where the consulate can call you if your cell/home phones are not reachable. If you don’t have one, just check “Does Not Apply”]
• Email Address [Comment: Enter your email address where the consulate can email you if needed]

04. Passport

Enter the following information in “Passport Information”

• Passport/Travel Document Type [Comment: Select “REGULAR” from the options]
  • REGULAR
  • OFFICIAL
  • DIPLOMATIC
  • OTHER
• Passport/Travel Document Number [Comment: Enter your passport number]
• Passport Book Number [Comment: Just check “Does Not Apply”]
• Country/Authority that Issued Passport/Travel Document [Comment: Select your country of passport]
• Where was the Passport/Travel Document Issued?
  • City [Comment: Enter the place of issue from your passport | If you can’t find the place of issue on your passport, just enter the city where your passport was issued]
  • State/Province *If shown on passport [Comment: Enter state/province of issue from your passport | If state/province of issue is not on your passport, leave this field blank]
  • Country/Region [Comment: Enter the country where your passport was issued]
• Issuance Date [Comment: Enter the date of issue from your passport]
• Expiration Date [Comment: Enter the date of expiration from your passport]
• Have your ever lost a passport or had one stolen? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have ever lost your passport or stolen]

05. Travel

Enter the following information in “Travel”

• Purpose of Trip to the U.S. [Comment: Select “TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B)” | If applying for a different visa, select the appropriate visa class from the options]
  • FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL (A)
  • TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B)
  • ALIEN IN TRANSIT (C)
  • CNMI WORKER OR INVESTOR (CW/E2C)
  • CREWMEMBER (D)
  • TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR (E)
  • ACADEMIC OR LANGUAGE STUDENT (F)
  • INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION REP./EMP. (G)
  • TEMPORARY WORKER (H)
  • FOREIGN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE (I)
  • EXCHANGE VISITOR (J)
  • FIANCÉ(E) OR SPOUCE OF U.S. CITIZEN (K)
  • INTRACOMPANY TRANSFAREE (L)
  • VOCATIONAL/NON-ACADEMIC STUDENT (M)
  • OTHER (N)
  • NATO STAFF (NATO)
  • ALIEN WITH EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY (O)
  • INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ALIEN (P)
  • CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISITOR (Q)
  • RELIGIOUS WORKER (R)
  • INFORMANT OR WITNESS (S)
  • VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING (T)
  • NAFTA PROFESSIONAL (TD/TN)
  • VICTIM OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY (U)
  • PAROLE BENEFICIARY (PARCIS)
• Specify [Comment: Select “BUSINESS & TOURISM (TEMPORARY VISITOR) (B1/B2)” | If you have selected different visa class, then select the appropriate option here]
• Have you made specific travel plans [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have bought your flight tickets and hotel]
  • Intended Date of Arrival [Comment: Select the approximate date on which you intend to arrive in the US]
  • Intended Length of Stay in the U.S. [Comment: Select the number of days you intend to spend in the US on this trip]
  • Address Where You Will Stay in the U.S. [Comment: Enter the address where you intend to stay in the US (hotel, friend, relative, etc)]
    • Street Address (Line 1)
    • Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
    • City
    • State
    • Zip Code (if known)
• Person/Entity Paying for Your Trip [Comment: Select “SELF” | If someone else is paying for your trip, select the appropriate option]
  • SELF
  • OTHER PERSON
  • OTHER COMPANY/ORGANIZATION

PRO TIP
For “TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B)”, you will have 3 options to choose – B1 (Business), B2 (Tourism), B1/B2 (Business and Tourism). I suggest selecting “B1/B2” even though your purpose is strictly business or tourism. US visa is issued for 10 years and you never know when you would need to visit the US for business or when for tourism. “B1/B2” will work for both purposes and will spare you from unnecessary questions at the port of entry.

NOTE
Even if you have selected “B1” or “B2” as your choice, US would mostly issue “B1/B2”. In very rare cases, they issue a “B1” or a “B2”.

NOTE
If you are planning on staying in a hotel when you travel to the US, for the question “Address Where You Will Stay in the U.S.”, book a refundable/pay-at-check-in hotel and use that address. Cancel the booking after you receive your visa.

06. Travel Companions

Enter the following information in “Travel Companions”

• Persons traveling with you
  • Are there other persons traveling with you? [Comment: Select “No” if you will be traveling by yourself | Select “Yes” if you will be traveling with family and provide details]
    • Are you traveling as part of a group or organization? [Comment: Select “No”| Select “Yes” only if you will be traveling with a group or organization]
    • Surnames of Person Traveling With You [Comment: Enter the surname of the person (ex: family member) traveling with you]
    • Given Names of Person Traveling With You [Comment: Enter the given names of the person (ex: family member) traveling with you]
    • Relationship with Person [Comment: Select the relationship of the person (ex: family member) traveling with you]
    • Add Another [Comment: Use this option if you have more than one person (ex: family member) traveling with you]

07. Previous U.S. Travel

Enter the following information in “Previous U.S. Travel”

• Have you ever been in the U.S.? [Comment: Select “No” if you have NEVER been in the US | Select “Yes” if you have traveled to the US before and enter the below details]
  • Date Arrived [Comment: Enter your previous date of arrival in the US]
  • Length of Stay [Comment: Enter the number of days or months of your previous stay in the US]
  • Add Another [Comment: Use this option if you have been in the US multiple times. You can enter up to 5 previous visits to the US]
  • Do you or did you ever hold a U.S. Driver’s License? [Comment: Select “No” if you have not lived in the US before | Otherwise, select “Yes” and enter your existing/expired US driver’s license details below]
    • Driver’s License Number [Comment: Enter your US driver’s license number. If you don’t remember, just check “Do Not Know”]
    • State of Driver’s License [Comment: Select the “State” that issued your driver’s license]
    • Add Another [Comment: Use this option if you had/have more than one US driver’s license]
• Have you ever been issued a U.S. Visa? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you have been issued a U.S. visa before and enter your old visa details below]
  • Date Last Visa was Issued [Comment: Enter the date of issue of your previous US visa]
  • Visa Number [Comment: Enter the visa number (printed in RED on your visa sticker) of your previous US visa]
  • Are you applying for the same type of visa? [Comment: Select “Yes” if applying for the same visa type, ex: B1/B2 | Otherwise select “No”]
  • Are you applying in the same country or location where the visa above was issued, and is this country or location your place of principal of residence? [Comment: Select “Yes” if applying in the same location as your previous US visa and is also your current country of residence | Otherwise, select “No”]
  • Have you been ten-printed? [Comment: Select “Yes” if your fingerprints were captured (all 10 fingers) during your the interview of your previous US visa | Otherwise, select “No”]
  • Has your U.S. Visa ever been lost or stolen? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if any of your old US visas were lost or stolen]
  • Has your U.S. Visa ever been cancelled or revoked? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if any of your old US visas were cancelled or revoked]
• Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, or been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have been denied a US visa or refused entry into the US at the port of entry]
  • Explain [Comment: Provide the details of your visa refusal or denial of entry]
• Has anyone ever filed an immigrant petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you had/have an approved I-140 (immigrant petition) and then explain the details below]
  • Explain [Comment: Provide the details of your old/existing I-140 such as the priority date and receipt number]

NOTE
If you have been in the US before but do not remember the exact dates, you can look up your previous US travel history at US Customs and Border Protection website. For calculating “Lenght of Stay”, you can use the Date and Time’s Days Calculator.

08. U.S. Contact

Enter the following information in “U.S. Contact”

• Contact Person or Organization in the United States
  • Contact Person [Comment: Enter the details of the person you know or will be visiting in the US below | If you don’t know anyone, check “Do Not Know”]
    • Surnames [Comment: Enter the surname of your contact person in the US]
    • Given Names [Comment: Enter the given name of your contact person in the US]
  • Organization Name [Comment: Enter the name of the organization you know or will be visiting in the US | If you will not be visiting any, you can enter your hotel name or just check “Do Not Know”]
• Relationship to You [Comment: Enter your contact person’s relationship to you from these options]
  • RELATIVE
  • SPOUSE
  • FRIEND
  • BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
  • EMPLOYER
  • SCHOOL OFFICIAL
  • OTHER
• Address and Phone Number of Point of Contact [Comment: Enter the address and phone details for your US contact]
  • U.S. Street Address (Line 1)
  • U.S. Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
  • City
  • State
  • Zip Code (if known)
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address

NOTE
For “Contact Person or Organization in the United States”, you would need to enter AT LEAST one, either a “Contact Person” or an “Organization”. I suggest entering the hotel where you will be staying.

09. Family

Enter the following information in “Relatives”

• Father’s Full Name and Date of Birth
  • Surnames [Comment: Enter your father’s surname | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Given Names [Comment: Enter your father’s given name | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Date of Birth [Comment: Enter your father’s date of birth | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Is your father in the U.S.? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if your father is currently in the US and enter the details below]
• Mother’s Full Name and Date of Birth
  • Surnames [Comment: Enter your mother’s surname | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Given Names [Comment: Enter your mother’s given name | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Date of Birth [Comment: Enter your mother’s date of birth | If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
  • Is your mother in the U.S.? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if your mother is currently in the US and enter the details below]
• Do you have any immediate relatives, not including parents, in the United States? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you have any immediate relatives such as spouse, children or siblings in the US and enter their details below]
• Do you have any other relatives in the United States? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you have any relatives such as grandparents, in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. in the US and enter their details below]

NOTE
For “Other Relatives”, select “Yes” only if you have relatives that you keep in touch with regularly and knows that you will be visiting the US soon.

Enter the following information in “Spouse”

• Spouse’s Full Name and Date of Birth (include Maiden Name)
  • Spouse’s Surnames [Comment: Enter your spouse’s surname]
  • Spouse’s Given Names [Comment: Enter your spouse’s given name]
  • Spouse’s Date of Birth [Comment: Enter your spouse’s date of birth]
  • Spouse’s Country/Region of Origin (Nationality) [Comment: Enter your spouse’s country of nationality]
  • Spouse’s Place of Birth
    • City [Comment: Enter your spouse’s city of birth]
    • Country/Region [Comment: Enter your spouse’s country of birth]
  • Spouse’s Address [Comment: Select your spouse’s address from the options or enter a new one]
    • SAME AS HOME ADDRESS
    • SAME AS MAILING ADDRESS
    • SAME AS U.S. CONTACT ADDRESS
    • DO NOT KNOW
    • OTHER (SPECIFY ADDRESS)

NOTE
The “Spouse” section is only available if you have selected “MARRIED” as the “Marital Status” in “02. Personal” above.

10. Work / Education / Training

Enter the following information in “Present”

• Primary Occupation [Comment: Select your primary occupation from the options]
  • AGRICULTURE
  • ARTIST/PERFORMER
  • BUSINESS
  • COMMUNICATIONS
  • COMPUTER SCIENCE
  • CULINARY/FOOD SERVICES
  • EDUCATION
  • ENGINEERING
  • GOVERNMENT
  • HOMEMAKER
  • LEGAL PROFESSION
  • MEDICAL/HEALTH
  • MILITARY
  • NATURAL SCIENCE
  • NOT EMPLOYED
  • PHYSICAL SCIENCES
  • RELIGIOUS VACATION
  • RESEARCH
  • RETIRED
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • STUDENT
  • OTHER
• Present Employer or School Name [Comment: Enter your current employer name (if employed) or university/college name (if student) or business name (if owns a business)]
• Present employer or school address: [Comment: Enter your current employer/school/business address below]
  • Street Address (Line 1)
  • Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/Zip Code
  • Phone Number
  • Country/Region
• Start Date [Comment: Enter the start date of your current job or school curriculum or business]
• Monthly Income in Local Currency (if employed) [Comment: Enter the monthly income you make from your current job or business | Check “Does Not Apply” if you are a student or retired]
• Briefly describe your duties: [Comment: Write a brief list of duties performed at your current employer or business]

IMPORTANT
Previous (previous work and education) and Additional (languages and travel history) are only asked for (1) all male applicants and (2) all applicants (male and female) from countries considered as questionable. Therefore, if you are a female applicant and you do not see these sections, it means you are not required to fill those sections. It’s normal, so do not panic.

Enter the following information in “Previous”

• Were you previously employed? [Comment: Select “Yes” if you have a previous employer and enter the details below | Select “No” if your current job is your first job or you are a student]
  • Employer Name
  • Employer Street Address (Line1)
  • Employer Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/Zip Code
  • Country/Region
• Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above? [Comment: Select “Yes” and enter your educational background below]
  • Name of Institution
  • Street Address (Line 1)
  • Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/Zip Code
  • Country/Region
  • Course of Study [Comment: Enter your course of study or degree]
  • Date of Attendance From [Comment: Enter your university/school course start date]
  • Date of Attendance To [Comment: Enter your university/school course end date]
  • Add Another [Comment: Use this option to enter details if you have multiple degrees or a master degree]

NOTE
Enter your educational background starting from the highest education to high school (or higher secondary).

Enter the following information in “Additional” section

• Do you belong to a clan or tribe? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if you belong to a recognized clan or tribe and enter the details below]
• Provide a List of Languages You Speak
  • Language Name [Comment: Enter the language that you speak]
  • Add Another [Comment: Use this option to add more languages that you speak]
• Have you traveled to any countries/regions within the last five years?
  • Provide a List of Countries/Regions Visited [Comment: Enter all the names of the countries you have traveled to so far, excluding the US and your home country]
    • Country/Region [Comment: Enter the name of the country you have traveled to previously]
    • Add Another [Comment: Use this option to add more countries that you have traveled]
• Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked of any professional, social, or charitable organization? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you are affiliated with a professional (IEEE, ACM, Bar Association, etc) or charitable (Red Cross, MSF) group and enter the details below]
• Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you were trained in using firearms, etc]
• Have you ever served in the military? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have served/serving in the military]
• Have you ever served in, been a member of, or been involved with a paramilitary unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, or insurgent organization? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have been involved any of those groups and enter the details below]

NOTE
For “Provide a List of Languages You Speak”, enter all languages that you speak, even if you speak at a beginner level.

NOTE
For “Provide a List of Countries/Regions Visited”, enter all countries you have traveled to so far including your country of residence (if it’s not your country of passport). Exclude the US (if you have traveled to the US before), your country of passport and any country that you have merely passed through on a layover/transit.

11. Security and Background

Enter the following information in “Part 1”

• Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance? (Communicable diseases of public significance include chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, infectious leprosy, lymphogranuloma venereum, infectious stage syphilis, active tuberculosis, and others diseases as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.) [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have any of those diseases]
• Do you have a mental or physical disorder that poses or is likely to pose a threat to the safety or welfare of yourself or others? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you have mental or physical disorder]
• Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” only if you were a drug abuser or addict]

Enter the following information in “Part 2”

• Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Are you coming to the United States to engage in prostitution or unlawful commercialized vice or have you been engaged in prostitution or procuring prostitutes within the past 10 years? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever been involved in, or do you seek to engage in, money laundering? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you knowingly aided, abetted, assisted or colluded with an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a severe human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Are you the spouse, son, or daughter of an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States and have you within the last five years, knowingly benefited from the trafficking activities? [Comment: Select “No”]

Enter the following information in “Part 3”

• Do you seek to engage in espionage, sabotage, export control violations, or any other illegal activity while in the United States? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted, or otherwise participated in genocide?
  [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in torture?
  [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in extrajudicial killings, political killings, or other acts of violence? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever engaged in the recruitment or the use of the child soldiers? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you, while serving as a government official, been responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever been directly involved in the establishment or enforcement of the population controls forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice or a man or a woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free will? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever been directly involved in the coercive transplantation of human organs or bodily tissue? [Comment: Select “No”]

Enter the following information in “Part 4”

• Have you ever been the subject of a removal or deportation hearing? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the United States, or any other United States immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you failed to attend a hearing on removability or inadmissibility within the last five years? [Comment: Select “No”]
• 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? [Comment: Select “No”]

Enter the following information in “Part 5”

• Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you ever renounced United States citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation? [Comment: Select “No”]
• Have you attended a public elementary school on student (F) status or a public secondary school after November 30, 1996 without reimbursing the school? [Comment: Select “No”]

12. Photo

This section may not be available if applying in certain countries, ex: India, Mexico, etc. In such countries, photos are typically captured along with fingerprints by the visa application center or the consulate on the day of the visa interview appointment.

In the “Upload Photo” section, you will upload a passport size digital photo.

NOTE
If you have uploaded and tested your photo in “01. Getting Started” section, you will be taken directly to the “Confirm Photo” section.

NOTE
You may sometimes see an “Error: There was a missing or invalid parameter in the request” while uploading the photo. If you see this error, try again after a few minutes. If it’s a weekend, try again on a weekday, especially during US working hours. This is a technical issue and nothing wrong with your photo. Their technical team will be notified by the system and they will fix it.

In the “Confirm Photo” section, you will see a preview of the photo you have uploaded. If you are satisfied with your photo, click on “Next: REVIEW”. Otherwise, click “Chose a Different Photo” to upload a different photo.

13. Review

In this section, you will review all the data you have entered so far. You will click on each of the following 7 subsections to review for accuracy and any mistakes in the data you have entered.

Review the entered information in “Personal/Address/Phone/Passport”

• Personal Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in personal information, click on “Edit Personal Information” to fix the errors]
• Address and Phone Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in address and phone information, click on “Edit Address and Phone Information” to fix the errors]
• Passport/Travel Document Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in passport/travel document information, click on “Edit Passport/Travel Document Information” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “Travel”

• Travel Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in travel information, click on “Edit Travel Information” to fix the errors]
• Travel Companions Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in travel companions information, click on “Edit Travel Companions Information” to fix the errors]
• Previous U.S. Travel Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in previous US travel information, click on “Edit Previous U.S. Travel Information” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “U.S. Contact”

• U.S. Point of Contact Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in US point of contact information, click on “Edit U.S. Point of Contact Information” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “Family”

• Family Information: Relatives [Comment: If you see any mistakes family infomation relatives information, click on “Edit Family Information: Relatives” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “Work/Education/Training”

• Present Work Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in present work information, click on “Edit Present Work Information” to fix the errors]
• Previous Work Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in previous work information, click on “Edit Previous Work Information” to fix the errors]
• Additional Information [Comment: If you see any mistakes in additional information, click on “Edit Additional Information” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “Security and Background”

• Part 1 [Comment: If you see any mistakes in part 1, click on “Edit Part 1” to fix the errors]
• Part 2 [Comment: If you see any mistakes in part 2, click on “Edit Part 2” to fix the errors]
• Part 3 [Comment: If you see any mistakes in part 3, click on “Edit Part 3” to fix the errors]
• Part 4 [Comment: If you see any mistakes in part 4, click on “Edit Part 4” to fix the errors]
• Part 5 [Comment: If you see any mistakes in part 5, click on “Edit Part 5” to fix the errors]

Review the entered information in “Location”

• Location [Comment: If you have made a mistake in selecting the location for your visa interview, click on “Edit Location Information” to select a different location]

14. Sign and Submit

Enter the following information in “Sign and Submit Application”

• Preparer of Application
  • Did anyone assist you in filling out this application? [Comment: Select “No” | Select “Yes” if a travel agent completed your application on your behalf]
• E-Signature
  • Enter your Passport/Travel Document Number: [Comment: Enter your passport number]
  • Enter the code as shown: [Comment: Enter the code shown in the captcha]

After entering the above information, click on “Sign and Submit Application” to electronically sign and submit your DS-160.

IMPORTANT
Once you click on “Sign and Submit Application”, you cannot make any more changes to your DS-160. If you notice any errors, then you have to fill a new application altogether. So, make sure all your information is correct and error-free before clicking on “Sign and Submit Application”.

After you click on “Sign and Submit Application”, the following confirmation is displayed.

“You have successfully signed and submitted your application. You cannot make any changes to your application at this point. Please click ‘Next: Confirmation’ to complete the application process”

Click on the “Next: Confirmation” button to view and print your DS-160 confirmation.

15. Confirmation

On this page, confirmation of your DS-160 will be displayed. You will see 3 options –

• Print Confirmation [Comment: Click this button to print DS-160 confirmation. A print of your DS-160 confirmation is required for your US visa interview]
• Print Application [Comment: Click this button to print a copy of DS-160 itself. This is for your records only. You do not need a DS-160 print for your interview]
• Email Confirmation [Comment: Click this button to email DS-160 confirmation. You can also print DS-160 confirmation from your email later]

Print DS-160 confirmation from this screen on an A4 or letter size paper. If not, at least print it to a PDF so you can have a copy. Email a copy to yourself as well so you can print it later if needed.

Also, print a copy of your DS-160 to PDF so you will have a copy of that too. Later down the line if you are applying/renewing the visa, you can upload this PDF to pre-populate the DS-160 form for you. It would save a ton of time.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

After you complete and submit your DS-160, the next step would be to pay the MRV fee and schedule your US visa interview. Follow this detailed step-by-step guide on how to schedule US visa interview.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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That’s it, folks! Follow this step-by-step guide to fill your DS-160. If you have any questions or stuck at any step, just comment here or email me.