⚠ General information only — not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.
DOS · Form DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Required for all US tourist, student, and temporary work visa applicants abroad.
Filing fee
No fee for the form itself. A separate nonrefundable visa application fee (MRV fee) is paid separately — $185 for most B, F, J, and M visa categories.
Processing time
60–90 minutes to complete. After submission, processing depends on interview wait times at your specific consulate — from days to months. Check wait times at travel.state.gov.
Filed with
Online only at ceac.state.gov. Print your confirmation page with barcode to bring to your interview.
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Overview
Form DS-160 is the starting point for anyone outside the United States who wants to obtain a temporary US visa. Whether visiting for tourism, studying, attending a conference, or entering on a temporary work visa, the DS-160 is typically the first document you must complete.
The form is comprehensive and covers your personal background, travel history, employment history, family information, and security-related questions. Consular officers use the information to assess your eligibility and intention to comply with visa terms. Accuracy is essential — inconsistencies between your DS-160 and what you say at your interview are major red flags.
The DS-160 replaced the paper DS-156 form and must be submitted electronically through the State Department's CEAC portal. It is used at virtually every US embassy and consulate worldwide for nonimmigrant visa applications.
Visa interview wait times vary enormously by country, consulate, and time of year. Some consulates in high-demand countries have wait times of 6–12 months or more for tourist visas. Student visa interviews are often given priority, especially near the start of the academic year.
Who needs Form DS-160?
Anyone applying for a US nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad — including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F-1, M-1), exchange visitor (J-1), and certain work visas (H, L, O, P).
What does Form DS-160 do?
Collects biographical, travel history, and eligibility information for the consular officer to review at your visa interview. Must be submitted electronically before you can schedule your visa interview appointment.
Key requirements
✓Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay
✓Digital photo meeting State Department specifications — white background, recent, no glasses
✓Complete travel itinerary or detailed purpose of trip
✓Employment and education history for the past 5 years
✓All social media handles from the past 5 years
✓US contact information — name, address, and phone number
✓Previous US visa information if you have traveled to the US before
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠Not saving your application ID — if you close the browser without saving, you cannot retrieve the form
⚠Photo not meeting specifications — wrong size, glasses, dark background, or not recent enough
⚠Answering Yes to security questions accidentally — review each question extremely carefully
⚠Not printing the barcode confirmation page before your interview — the consulate requires it
⚠Submitting the form and then trying to edit it — DS-160 cannot be edited after submission, you must start a new one
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Processing details
After submitting your DS-160, you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode. This confirmation page is required to schedule your visa interview — you cannot book an appointment without it.
At the interview, the consular officer will review your DS-160, supporting documents, and ask questions to verify your eligibility and intent. Most interviews are brief — 2 to 5 minutes for straightforward cases.
If approved, your passport will be held for 3–7 business days for the visa to be printed and affixed. If denied, the officer should provide a reason — most commonly Section 214(b), failure to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent.
After you file
After submitting your DS-160, print your confirmation page and barcode immediately — you cannot reschedule an interview without it.
Schedule your visa interview through the official consulate scheduling system for your country. Gather supporting documents before the interview: passport, DS-160 confirmation, visa fee receipt, photo, and documents supporting your purpose of travel.
If denied under 214(b), you can reapply at any time. Address whatever concern caused the denial — typically lack of demonstrated ties to your home country — before reapplying.
Common situations
Visiting the US for tourism
B-2 tourist visa applicants must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent. Supporting documents include proof of employment, bank statements, property ownership, and return flight reservations. DS-160 is your first step before scheduling a consulate interview.
International student applying for F-1
F-1 applicants complete DS-160 then attend an interview with your I-20 from your US school, proof of financial support, SEVIS fee receipt, and evidence of ties to your home country.
Applying for H-1B or other work visa
Most temporary work visa applicants also use DS-160. Your employer should have already filed the petition with USCIS. You will need your petition approval notice at the interview.
Frequently asked questions
Can I save my DS-160 and finish it later?
Yes. During the application you can save your work at any time by clicking Save Application. Write down your Application ID — this 16-character code is the only way to retrieve your saved application. Without it, you cannot access your saved form and must start over.
What if I make a mistake after submitting?
Once submitted, the DS-160 cannot be edited. You must start a new application. If you notice an error before your interview, submit a new DS-160 and bring the new confirmation page. Inform the consular officer of the correction during the interview.
Do I need DS-160 if I am from a Visa Waiver Program country?
Generally no — VWP country citizens visiting for less than 90 days use ESTA instead. However, if you have been denied ESTA, traveled to certain countries, or need to stay longer or for a non-covered purpose, you would need to apply for a visa using DS-160.
How do I answer the social media questions?
You must provide all social media handles used in the past 5 years across all platforms. Only list platforms you have actually used. Be complete and honest — misrepresentation on a visa application is a serious issue.
What is the 214(b) denial?
Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is the most common reason for tourist visa denials — the consular officer was not convinced you have sufficient ties to your home country to ensure you will return. To overcome it, demonstrate strong ties: stable employment, property ownership, family, financial assets, or other compelling reasons to return home.
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Official DOS page for Form DS-160
Always download the latest version of the form directly from the official source.