Form DS-160 guide: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Wang Law Firm, LLC · David Wang, Managing Attorney · Attorney-reviewed · Updated October 2026

The DS-160's official name is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. It is administered by the U.S. Department of State and completed online through the Department's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Anyone applying at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for a temporary visa for tourism, business, study, exchange, work or similar purposes, as well as anyone applying for a K fiancé(e) visa, must complete a DS-160 first.

The DS-160 is the "first step" in the visa process: after completing and submitting it, you print the barcoded confirmation page, then pay the visa application fee, schedule an interview (or, if eligible, apply for an interview waiver), and attend the interview at the embassy or consulate. The consular officer asks questions and makes a decision based on the contents of your DS-160. The Department of State states clearly that submitting the DS-160 online is only the first step of a visa application and does not mean the application has been accepted or approved.

At a glance

Item	Details
Official name	Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Agency	U.S. Department of State; adjudicated by the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad where you apply
Who completes it	Every nonimmigrant visa applicant (including children), one per person; applicants for K visas such as the K-1/K-2 also use the DS-160
When to complete it	Before scheduling the interview and paying the fee; for work visas (such as the H-1B and O-1), generally after USCIS approves the I-129
Online filing?	Online only (CEAC); there is no paper version
Common supporting materials	A valid passport, a digital photo meeting the requirements, and the visa application fee receipt; F/M students need an I-20, J exchange visitors need a DS-2019; work categories need the I-797 approval notice; E visas have additional supplementary materials
Official pages	CEAC nonimmigrant visa portal, Department of State DS-160 page

Who needs to complete the DS-160

Tourism, family visits and business: B-1/B-2 visa applicants (see the B-1/B-2 visa guide).
Students and exchange visitors: F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants and their dependents (see the F-1 and OPT guide).
Work categories: H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN (when applying for a visa at a consulate), E-1/E-2 and others, plus their dependents in H-4, L-2, O-3, E dependent status and so on (see H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2).
K visas: the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1) and his or her children (K-2). Although a K-1 applies for a green card inside the United States after entry, the visa stage uses the DS-160 (see K-1 visa).
Each family member completes his or her own: even if family members share a passport or travel together, each person must submit a separate DS-160; the system lets you import some shared information into family members' forms.

The DS-160 is not used in these situations:

Immigrant visas (obtaining a green card from abroad): use the DS-260;
Extending or changing status inside the United States: an I-539 is filed with USCIS or the employer files an I-129; no DS-160 is involved;
Short-term tourism or business by citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries traveling with ESTA: generally no visa is needed.

Legal basis

Nonimmigrant visa applications are governed by sections 221 and 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Department of State regulations at 22 CFR Part 41. The most frequently cited provision is INA 214(b): every nonimmigrant visa applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant unless he or she establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer that he or she qualifies for the nonimmigrant category sought. The burden of proof is on the applicant. Categories that allow "dual intent," such as the H-1B and L, are not subject to this presumption, but the applicant must still show that he or she meets the category's other requirements.

In addition, willfully making a material misrepresentation in a visa application can lead to permanent inadmissibility under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i). The Department of State's DS-160 FAQ also expressly warns that misrepresentation may result in a permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry.

Before you start

Browser: the Department of State's FAQ lists supported browsers (stating that Safari and Microsoft Edge are not supported), but that guidance is slow to be updated; in practice, follow the current prompts on the CEAC page. Completing the form on a computer using Chrome or Firefox is generally recommended.
Write down your Application ID: when you start, the system generates an Application ID and asks you to set a security question. Without the Application ID you cannot get back to your form, so record it immediately.
Saving: the system saves automatically as you complete each page; an unsubmitted form can be resumed within 30 days using the Application ID, and you can also save the form to a file for your records.
English only: all answers must be in English using English characters; the only exception is the field asking for your full name in your native alphabet (where you can enter your Chinese name). Applications completed in other languages will be rejected.
Gather information: passport, the dates of your last 5 U.S. trips (if applicable), prior visa information, employment and education history, family member information, U.S. point of contact and address, travel plans, social media accounts, and so on. Work visa applicants should also have the receipt number from the I-797 approval notice and the employer's information.

Completing the form: key points by section

The DS-160's questions change dynamically based on the visa category you select and your earlier answers. Below we explain what to watch for in each main section rather than walking through every question.

Personal information

Enter your name as it appears in your passport, with the same spelling and order (Surname, Given Name). Truthfully list any other names you have used (including a maiden name or a name before a name change).
For the sex field, the Department of State's FAQ says to select "male" or "female" based on sex at birth.
A Chinese resident ID card number can be entered in the National Identification Number field.

Travel information and travel companions

The purpose of your trip must match the visa category you are applying for. If your itinerary is not final, you can enter estimated dates and length of stay; you do not need to book a flight.
U.S. point of contact and address: for family visits, enter your relative's information; for business, the inviting party; for students, the school.

Previous U.S. travel and visa refusals

Answer truthfully about any U.S. visas you have held, whether a visa was ever cancelled or revoked, whether you have ever been refused a visa, whether you have ever been refused entry, and whether anyone has ever filed an immigrant petition on your behalf.
If you were previously refused under 214(b), answer "Yes" truthfully and briefly explain. A refusal by itself does not mean you cannot apply again, but concealing a refusal creates more serious problems.
If anyone has filed an immigrant petition for you, such as an I-130 or I-140 (even if it was not approved or was withdrawn), you must also answer truthfully; this may affect the consular officer's assessment of immigrant intent.

Address, phone, email and social media

The form asks you to list the phone numbers, email addresses and social media accounts (platform and username, no passwords) you have used over a period of time; fill this in truthfully and completely.
In recent years the Department of State has expanded "online presence review" for certain visa categories, requiring applicants to set the privacy settings of all social media accounts to "public." The covered categories already include F, M and J students and exchange visitors, and H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents, among others, and have recently been further expanded to categories such as I (foreign media) and TN/TD. The scope is still changing; rely on the Department of State's current announcement.

Passport information

Your passport number, issue date and expiration date must be accurate. The tourist visa page notes that a passport generally must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from the United States (except for countries with separate agreements).
If a passport has ever been lost or stolen, report it truthfully.

Family information

Information about your parents and spouse, and whether you have immediate relatives in the United States and their status. Simply answer truthfully: having relatives in the United States does not necessarily lead to a refusal, but concealing them may constitute a misrepresentation.

Work, education and training

Current and previous employers, job titles, duties and income, and education. Describe your duties specifically and truthfully, consistent with what you say at the interview.
Some applicants are also asked about military service, organizational memberships, special skills and so on; answer truthfully.

Security and background questions

These ask, item by item, about health, criminal, immigration-violation, security and other issues. Make sure you understand each question before answering, and consult a lawyer first if you are unsure.
If you have ever overstayed in the United States, violated your status, or been arrested (even without a conviction), have it evaluated before answering.

Category-specific supplementary questions

Students and exchange visitors: enter the SEVIS ID and school or program information, consistent with the I-20 or DS-2019.
Work categories: enter the receipt number from the USCIS approval notice, plus the employer and position information.
E categories: the Department of State's FAQ says an E-2 investor personally only needs to complete the DS-160; E-1 treaty traders, and E-1/E-2 executives, managers and essential employees, also need a paper DS-156E completed by the applicant or the employer. For the specific document list, follow the E visa instructions of the embassy or consulate where you will interview.

Uploading a photo

The photo must be a color, front-facing photo taken within the last 6 months, with a white or off-white background, a neutral expression and both eyes open, in the size and format required by the Department of State's photo requirements.
No eyeglasses (except in rare medical cases, with a signed statement from a doctor). No hats or head coverings that hide the hair or hairline (except religious attire worn daily), and no headphones.
Do not use beautification or photo-editing software to alter your appearance; the Department of State's photo tool is only for cropping and resizing.
If the upload fails or the photo does not meet the requirements, the Department of State says you can bring one compliant printed photo along with your confirmation page to the interview; some embassies and consulates require a printed photo in any case, so follow your post's instructions.

Preparers and signing

If someone else (a relative or friend, a travel agency, a lawyer) helps you complete the form, you must truthfully enter that person's information on the Sign and Submit page.
For minors or applicants who lack capacity, a parent or guardian can click to sign on their behalf.
Clicking "Sign" confirms that the information is true and accurate; even if someone else completed the form, the applicant remains legally responsible.

After you submit: can you change it?

After submitting, print the barcoded confirmation page and bring it to the interview; you do not need to print the full form. If you lose the confirmation page, you can retrieve and reprint it in CEAC using your Application ID.

You cannot edit the form yourself after submission. The Department of State's FAQ explains that if you are refused because your DS-160 contained errors or was incomplete, the embassy or consulate will generally reopen your form so you can go in with your Application ID and correct it; contact the post where you applied to find out whether you need to reschedule the interview after correcting it. If you discover an error yourself before the interview, the usual practice is to complete a new DS-160 and, following the instructions of the post's appointment system, update the confirmation number in your appointment record to the new form's number. Follow the instructions of the embassy or consulate where you will interview.

Fees, interview scheduling and interview waivers

Pay the visa application fee: pay as instructed on the website of the embassy or consulate in your country. The visa application fee is generally non-refundable; after approval, some nationalities also pay a visa issuance (reciprocity) fee. Amounts are as listed on the Department of State's visa fees page.
Schedule the interview: the embassy or consulate will not schedule an interview for you; you must book it yourself in the appointment system the post designates, and you need your DS-160 confirmation number to do so.
Interview location: current Department of State guidance requires nonimmigrant visa applicants generally to schedule interviews at an embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants who apply in a third country may find it harder to qualify and may face longer waits, and fees already paid are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you apply based on your country of residence, you must be able to prove you reside there.
Interview waiver: starting October 1, 2025, the Department of State sharply narrowed interview waivers. Under the announcement at the time, apart from diplomatic and official visas, mainly only a few situations may qualify, such as renewing within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration a full-validity B-1/B-2 visa where the applicant was at least 18 when the prior visa was issued (as well as Mexican border crossing cards and H-2A), and the applicant must apply in the country of nationality or residence, must never have been refused a visa (or the refusal was overcome), and must have no apparent ineligibility. Applicants under 14 and over 79 generally must also interview. A consular officer can require anyone to interview at any time. The policy may still change; rely on the Department of State's current announcement and the embassy or consulate website.

Interview day

Bring: a valid passport (and old passports), the DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt, appointment confirmation, a photo (if required), category documents such as the I-20, DS-2019 or I-797, and materials showing the purpose of your trip, your financial means and your ties to your home country.
The consular officer's questions usually center on the contents of your DS-160; answer truthfully and concisely, consistent with the form.
B visas generally do not require a U.S. invitation letter or affidavit of support; the consular officer mainly looks at whether the purpose of the trip is genuine and how strong your ties to your home country are. If you have an invitation letter, you can bring it as supporting material, but it cannot substitute for that evidence.
After the interview, you may be approved on the spot, refused, or told your case needs administrative processing (221(g)). You can follow your case status on CEAC visa status check.

Common mistakes

Not writing down the Application ID, so the form cannot be retrieved and must be redone;
Name spelling, date of birth or passport number not matching the passport;
Concealing prior visa refusals, refusals of entry, overstays or immigrant petition history;
Omitting social media accounts, or listing accounts that don't match those actually used;
Job duties, income or education inconsistent with interview answers or the documents you bring;
Family members sharing one form, or submitting someone else's form with the name changed;
A noncompliant photo (eyeglasses, wrong background, edited);
An agent completing the form without truthfully entering the preparer's information on the signature page, and the applicant not reviewing the contents.

214(b) refusals and other refusals

The most common refusal ground for B, F, J and similar categories is INA 214(b): the applicant did not establish eligibility for the nonimmigrant category sought, most often by failing to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. A 214(b) refusal cannot be appealed, and that application is over. The law does not set a waiting period before you can reapply, but if nothing has materially changed and your DS-160 and answers are the same, the result is often no different. When you reapply, you must complete a new DS-160 and pay the fee again.

A 221(g) refusal, by contrast, means the application cannot be approved for now and additional documents or administrative processing are needed; the application is usually still pending. For the differences between the two and how to prepare before reapplying, see What to do after a U.S. visa refusal under section 214(b).

Recent changes to watch

Nonimmigrant visa rules have changed a lot since 2025. What follows is only a summary; verify the latest rules before applying:

Interview location: you generally must apply in your country of nationality or residence (see above).
Interview waivers sharply narrowed: starting October 1, 2025, only a few categories remain (see above).
Expanded social media screening: more and more categories are required to make social media accounts public.
Visa Integrity Fee: the July 2025 "H.R. 1" legislation created this new fee for nonimmigrant visas; the implementation date, amount and refund conditions are as currently published by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.
Travel restrictions and visa bonds: presidential proclamations restrict entry or visa issuance for certain nationalities, and the Department of State has also imposed visa bond requirements on B-1/B-2 applicants of certain nationalities; the list of covered countries has changed several times.
EVUS enrollment: holders of a People's Republic of China passport with a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before traveling to the United States and update it as required; the enrollment fee is as officially published.

How the DS-160 differs from the DS-260

Item	DS-160	DS-260
Type of visa	Nonimmigrant visas (temporary U.S. visits), as well as K fiancé(e) visas	Immigrant visas (obtaining a green card from abroad)
Prerequisite	Generally you can apply directly; most work categories first require USCIS approval	An approved immigrant petition (I-130, I-140, etc.), or DV selection
Process	Complete the form → pay the fee → schedule your own interview → interview	Pay fees at NVC → complete the form → affidavit of support and civil documents → NVC review → NVC schedules the interview
Changes after submission	You cannot change it yourself; if you find an error before the interview, you usually complete a new one	You cannot change it yourself; NVC or the embassy or consulate must help
214(b) presumption of immigrant intent	Applies (except dual intent categories such as the H-1B and L)	Does not apply (it is itself an immigrant visa)

FAQ

Can an agent, relative or friend fill out the DS-160 for me?

Someone else can help you complete it, but you must truthfully list that person on the signature page. No matter who completes it, once you sign, the applicant is responsible for all of its contents, so review every item before submitting.

I found an error in one item after submitting. Do I need to redo the form?

If you discover it before the interview, the usual approach is to complete a new DS-160 and update the confirmation number in the appointment system; follow the instructions of the embassy or consulate where you will interview. If the error involves background issues such as visa refusals or overstays, we recommend consulting a lawyer before deciding how to correct it.

I was refused under 214(b) last time. Can I reuse my previous DS-160?

No. Every application requires a new DS-160. The system lets you import information from a previous form, but you must check every item to make sure it is still accurate, and truthfully report the previous refusal.

Do children also need to complete a DS-160 and interview?

Each child must complete a separate DS-160, which a parent can sign on the child's behalf. Starting October 2025, children under 14 generally must also interview unless they meet the current interview waiver criteria; follow the embassy or consulate's instructions.

Can I apply in a country other than China (for example, where I currently live)?

The Department of State generally requires applying in your country of nationality or residence. If you lawfully reside long term in a third country, you can apply there, but you must be able to prove your residence; applying in a third country simply to get a faster appointment may make approval harder, and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The DS-160 asks about social media. What if I don't use a particular platform?

You only need to truthfully list the platforms and usernames you actually used during the period the form specifies. You don't need to list platforms you have never used, but do not conceal accounts you use now or have used in the past.