DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (2023)

FAQs

What happens if you enter wrong information on DS-160? ›

However, there's no need to panic, either. Although it's true that the State Department does not provide a way to go back and change an already submitted DS-160, you can go online to submit a new, corrected DS-160, print the new confirmation page, and bring that to your interview at the consulate or embassy.

As part of the ds-160 form filling, you should answer “NO” to the question “have you ever refused us a visa” as your H1B petition was denied and not a US H1B visa.

Insufficient or Incorrect Information

Providing incorrect or missing information in the application form will result into a US visa rejection. The Ds-160 form in no manner should be left blank, even if the segment does not apply to you. Every detail counts! In addition, you will need to provide documentary evidence.

You cannot make changes to the DS-160 once you have submitted it. You will need to fill out a new DS-160.

Can I reuse the DS-160? Yes, you can use information from a previously submitted DS-160 to populate some fields on a new form.

Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa with Form DS-160

To fill out the entire form it will take around 90 minutes, and you can have other people assist you, such as a qualified immigration expert. You must, however, electronically sign and submit your application under U.S. law unless you qualify for an exemption.

You must submit your DS-160 application online prior to making an appointment for an interview at the Embassy or Consulate.

Is there a limit on the number of days DS-160 must be completed? Once you begin your DS-160 application, you will be required to complete it within 30 days.

Do visa officers check DS-160? ›

Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant's eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

While you can't appeal the consular officer's decision, the good news is that the decision is not permanent and you can reapply for a visa at any time after your refusal.

The DS-160 form also has a question that asks users to fill out a list of social media websites or any public websites, where they have shared content, which are not on the list given by the US Dept of state. Below is the actual question and screenshot of the same.

An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.

In order to create a new DS-160, the visa applicant must select “Create a New Application”, and the entire application will reappear, except for the travel plans to the United States.

Making a mistake on an immigration application form can be disastrous. If the mistake is interpreted by officials as an attempt to mislead or deceive, the application will inevitably be refused.

You can always fill a completely new DS-160 form and update the new DS-160 form number for the appointment details online.

How long do I have to go back and complete the draft? A visa application will remain valid for up to 30 days from the date it was last accessed. The visa applicant must have the DS-160 application ID to retrieve a previously saved application.

After your visa interview, you will be told if your visa application is approved, denied, or requires administrative processing. If your visa is approved, you can collect the visa and passport the following business day from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. only.

As per them, in India, using the MRV Fee receipt (Visa fee receipt), you can schedule visa appointments up to 5 times. These 5 times include the initial appointment scheduling. What it means is that you can re-schedule or change the appointment for 4 times after your initial appointment.

What is the best time to book appointment for US visa? ›

For nonimmigrant visa applicants in India, it is advised that they make a booking three months in advance of their intended travel date.

Applying for an Expedited Appointment

Pay the visa application fee. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. If the Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online.

When your turn for the interview comes, enter the room with a smile, greet the officer with a warm hello or hi. S/he may ask you 'how are you doing'. Reply politely and thank them for asking. If your visa is granted, thank them politely and leave.

Avoid jeans and leggings as these are often too informal for US visa attire.

There is no fixed minimum bank balance for US student visa, but one should have 10,000 USD and above to get F-1 visa.

North Korea is by far the most difficult country to get a visa to visit as a tourist. To get a visa to North Korea, you have to apply for the visa through a tourist agency that has state-approved tours. If you hold an American passport, or you are from South Korea you are not eligible for a North Korean visa.

Luxembourg. Getting a work visa in Luxembourg is relatively easy, and the country offers a number of options from short-term to long-term. Although it's a small European country, Luxembourg has had the highest minimum wage and the lowest unemployment rate in Europe for the past 40 years.

The U.S. embassy/consulate will conduct visa interviews, a background check, and require a medical examination performed in the country where the individual is applying for the visa.

If you can get a letter from your employer, or indicate a date that you will return to work, this will help your application. If you are not employed, provide a plan for how you will use your new diploma or degree to start a job. This also helps convince the visa officer that you have a reason to return home.

You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. visa without an interview based on your age, or if you are renewing a prior U.S. visa. Currently, we are accepting Interview Waiver applications only for crew members (C1/D) from international airlines and cruise/ships and students (F-1).

How do you know if US visa is approved after interview? ›

At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.

Waiver for ineligibility

You must fill in the Form I-601, which is the Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility and send it directly to USCIS Lockbox Facility. If you have any queries regarding your U.S. Visa refusal you should contact the U.S. Consulate where you applied for the Visa.

The United States denies nearly 4 million visa applications a year for a variety of reasons, including for practicing polygamy, abducting children or simply not qualifying for the visa in question.

Through the CCD, the consular officer can see whether you have applied for a visa in the past, and whether the visa was granted or denied. The officer can also see any comments that the prior officer made about the application.

If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa by filling out the DS-160 or DS-1648 online form, the form will instruct you to upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form.

Their searches may lead to social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or others, and these may be monitored and used to determine the credibility of information given in your visa application.

Essentially, the U.S. government assures that they request applicants' social network accounts to see if there is any evidence of the applicant being a threat to national security, any close ties to known criminal organizations, or if they committed fraud with any personal information given on immigration forms.

Reasons for Visa Refusal

Your visa may be rejected, if you have provided wrong information in your visa application form. If you have a past history of criminal activities against you. If you apply for a visa without a valid justification on a short notice.

You can reapply any time after 3 business days following the previous rejection. You don't have to wait for 6 months or longer.

Can I retrieve my DS 160 form after submitting? ›

Go to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website, www.ceac.state.gov , and click the “Retrieve an Application” tab. Enter the application ID from the DS-160 mentioned on your submitted DS-160 application. Click on the Retrieve Application tab again.

While the online application has created efficiencies on processing visas at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, applicants must be aware that the application cannot be modified once it has been submitted.

Visa Revocation & Cancellations

The most common grounds for visa revocation or cancellation include: Visa was fraudulently-issued or was used in a fraudulent manner. Suspected immigrant intent. Suspected unauthorized employment.

How do I edit DS 160 form after submitting the form? You can't. but you can try to submit a different one. Then go online, the visa interview appointment page, update the DS-160 form number with the most recent one.

How Long Is DS-160 Valid from the Day It Is Submitted? In general, the DS-160 should be valid as long as the information provided is current and hasn't changed.

The DS-160 visa application validity is for 30 days. For example, if you have applied on March 1st, then the DS-160 expiration date will be March 31st. Complete the form before time, so that you do not have to start all over again.

Once you submit your online application for permanent residence, you can't send more documents through your account unless we ask for them.

You can attach documents to your visa application after you have submitted and paid for your application, up until it is finalised. For some visa application types (Visitor and Temporary Work Short Stay Specialist) you will be required to attach documents before you proceed to pay and submit your application.

An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.

Your visa application photo must meet certain criteria regarding size and content. Submitting photos that do not meet these criteria can delay the visa application process. To reflect your current appearance, your photo must be taken within the last six months.

Why are visas getting rejected? ›

Reasons for Visa Refusal

Your visa may be rejected, if you have provided wrong information in your visa application form. If you have a past history of criminal activities against you. If you apply for a visa without a valid justification on a short notice.

Have you been ten-printed? Answer “yes” or “no.” Ten-printed means that you have provided fingerprints of all your fingers, as opposed to only two fingerprints. Has your US visa ever been lost or stolen? If you answer “yes”, you will need to provide the year it was lost or stolen.