How to Fill Out the DS-160

Filling out the DS-160 form and navigating the nuances of answering the questions is often a stumbling block for many U.S. visa applicants, which can hinder their dream of visiting the United States. We’ve been through it ourselves, so we created this guide to help you fill out the form easily and move forward with obtaining your desired visa.

What is the DS-160 Form and Why is it Necessary?

The DS-160 form is a document that provides the U.S. government with the information necessary to grant a non-immigrant visa of any type to the applicant. Through this form, applicants have the opportunity to obtain any non-immigrant visa to the U.S. It’s logical to assume that without completing this form, an applicant will be denied a visa at the consulate, as visa officers won’t even consider the request. This form collects all the information that will genuinely help the visa officer make a decision regarding the applicant’s visa, based on their employment, education, and family details.

The form is completed exclusively online, and the data entered is sent to a central database, which is important to keep in mind when filling it out again in the future. This form was designed to make potential illegal immigration to the U.S. more difficult compared to the process that existed before 2009. After completing the application, and before the applicant meets with the visa officer, the form is reviewed by consulate staff. This allows them to prepare for the interview, examine the information provided, and cross-check it with open sources and previous visa applications made by the same person seeking a visa.

Reasons for Visa Denial Based on DS-160 Information

Among the main reasons for visa denial are often the following:

• Inaccurate or contradictory information about the applicant provided in the form;
• False data that does not align with reality, particularly after being verified by consulate employees through open sources;
• Omission of key, important information about the applicant;
• Careless completion of the form, including transliteration errors and similar issues.

While filling out the DS-160 form, it’s important to remember the different mindset of those reviewing the form. Individuals from developed countries may view data from less developed nations with a certain perspective, which can influence how each applicant is perceived and reviewed. Ideally, the form should address all potential questions the visa officer may have before they are even asked.

Important Points to Remember Before Filling Out the Form

There are a few key aspects to keep in mind to ensure the form is completed correctly and does not disrupt future plans. These include:

• The location or country where the interview will take place must match the place or country where the applicant registers for the interview. If the applicant completes the form and registers for the interview in one country, but circumstances change, they will need to resubmit the form to the consulate in the new location. Each additional interview registration must be accompanied by updating and resubmitting the form.
• The time allocated for completing the form is only 20 minutes. Before starting the process online, it’s recommended to download the form and complete it on your computer or on paper so that all answers are ready before filling it out online. If the form is not completed within the 20-minute window, it will be reset, and all data will be lost. Any activity must occur within these 20 minutes. It’s also important to regularly save the form or download it, in case you need to step away from the computer.
• When uploading a photo, ensure that the image is current, taken no later than six months before filling out the form. If any plastic surgeries have been performed, or if there have been significant changes to the applicant’s face that might cause the visa officer to question the resemblance, a new and more current photo should be used. Additionally, if the printed form does not display the photo, it means it was not uploaded with the form, which could lead to the applicant’s denial during the review process. In this case, the DS-160 form will need to be resubmitted with the correct photo uploaded.

Features of Filling Out the DS-160 Form for Children

While adults, regardless of social status and gender, have the same form to fill out, the situation is slightly different for children. The U.S. government understands that children under 14 years of age have significantly less life experience. Therefore, the number of questions and the form itself for children is much shorter than for adults. Information regarding current employment, such as work or education (courses), and travel history over the last five years is omitted from the form for children. Thus, the main difference in filling out the DS-160 form for children is that, although the questions are the same, the form is shorter.

Documents Needed for Filling Out the DS-160 Form

Among all the documents required for filling out the form, the following are mandatory:

• Passport;
• Travel itinerary, if you already have confirmed travel arrangements;
• All dates of your U.S. visits over the past five years;
• A resume (CV) or other details about your education and previous employment. The more complete it is, the better.

For some visa applicants, additional information may be required, including:

• Applicants for student visas (F, J, M): You will need to provide your SEVIS ID, which can be found on your completed I-20 or DS-2019 form, as well as the address or information about the educational institution and the study program you will attend (this information should also be included on the I-20 or DS-2019 forms);
• Applicants for work visas (H-1B, H-2, H-3, CW, L, O, P, R, E2C): For these categories, the DS-160 form must include data from the I-129 form.
• Other temporary workers: Additional information about the employer in the U.S. (legal entity name, address, and employer’s contact details) who will employ the worker may also be required.

In what language is the DS-160 form filled out? Can it be completed in your native language?No. The DS-160 form must be filled out exclusively in English. Completing the form in any other language is not permitted. The form should be completed using English characters only. However, there is an important note: when entering your first and last name, they should be written in your native language. In all other fields, the use of any symbols or characters that are not part of the English language could result in the rejection of the application. Although translated versions of the form may be available for download, you must fill out only the English version.What to do after completing the DS-160 formAfter completing the DS-160 application, you must download and print it. The printed form should display both your photo and a barcode along with a code. If either of these is missing, you will need to fill out the form again. If everything is correct, print the form and proceed to schedule your interview at the visa center. It is important to bring the printed form with you to the appointment, as, in addition to reviewing it on the computer, the consular officer may refer to specific points on the form and ask you questions about them.

Frequently Asked Questions about DS-160

Q: I have previously received a visa. Do I need to fill out DS-160 again?
A: Yes, absolutely. Each visit to the visa center requires a separate DS-160 form.

Q: I am currently studying and working. How should I indicate this in the form?
A: The form allows for only one answer at a time, so you should choose which is more important in your case—showing that you are studying or showing that you are working. If you are working part-time, it is better to indicate that you are studying, as a non-immigrant visa requires proof that you will return home to continue your studies.

Q: The section on salary asks for my current income. My earnings consist of both official salary and additional income outside of work. How should I fill this in?
A: Visa centers are only interested in income that can be easily verified. If you have additional irregular income, it is better not to mention it in the form.

Q: We are applying as a family for visas. Should we indicate total household income or just mine?
A: Even if the applicant is financially dependent on another, you should only state your personal legal income. If, for example, one spouse is financially dependent on the other, it is acceptable to list the income as $0, which will be considered truthful.

Q: Can I change the information in my DS-160 form? And when?
A: You can make changes to the form until it is submitted and paid for. Once it has been submitted and the payment has been made, no further changes can be made.

Q: I was previously denied a visa. What should I write in the “Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa…” section?
A: Since consulates rarely provide specific reasons for a visa refusal, you only need to mention the location of the interview and the year. They have full records of your past visa applications, and being honest about it will reflect positively during the review process.

Q: I live in a common-law marriage with my partner. What should I indicate in the marital status section?
A: In the U.S., common-law marriage refers to a relationship that has not been legally formalized. You should select “Common law marriage” and indicate your shared address.

Q: The form asks for my social media account. I don’t want to provide it—what should I do?
A: Social media accounts are used to get a preliminary understanding of the applicant and are considered another verification step to ensure the security of the U.S. This section was created as a precaution against potential terrorist threats. Providing your social media account, especially if it shows your travel history, may actually help in obtaining the visa.

Q: I have a close relative living in the U.S. Should I mention them, even if they moved a long time ago under a different visa category?
A: Yes, definitely! If you don’t disclose this and the consulate discovers it later, it could result in a visa denial.

Q: If I plan to visit the U.S. on a tourist visa, who should I list as my host?
A: In this case, you can simply provide the contact details of the hotel where you have made a reservation or the contact information of the host if you are using a booking service like Airbnb.

Q: What address should I list? I am registered in one city but live in another.
A: You should list your current residential address, meaning where you actually live.

Q: After submitting the form, I realized there were mistakes. What should I do?
A: Resubmit the DS-160 form. Mistakes in the form could lead to a visa denial.