DS-160 Guide 2026 — Step-by-Step Instructions for the US Visa Form

What Is the DS-160?

The DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) is the standard form the US Department of State uses to collect your personal, travel, and security information before a consular interview. It is completed online at the Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov). The consular officer reviews your answers before and during your interview, so accuracy matters — inconsistencies between your DS-160 and your interview answers are a common reason for refusals under section 214(b).

What You Need Before You Start

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay (country-specific agreements may waive this).
• Travel itinerary — intended arrival date, the US address where you will stay, and flight details if you have them.
• Work and education history — dates, employers, and addresses for the last 5 years (longer for some applicants).
• Previous US travel — dates of prior visits and details of any prior US visas, including refusals.
• A digital photo meeting the requirements below.
• For specific visas: the I-20 (F-1/M-1 students), DS-2019 (J-1 exchange), or petition receipt number (H-1B, L-1, O-1).

First action on the form: note the Application ID shown in the top-right corner and answer the security question. Without these you cannot retrieve a saved application.

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

1. Getting Started: choose the embassy or consulate where you will interview. You normally interview in your country of residence.
2. Personal Information: your name exactly as in your passport, date and place of birth, nationality, national ID number, and US Social Security or tax ID numbers if you have them.
3. Address and Phone: home and mailing addresses, phone numbers, email, and your social media identifiers for the last 5 years. List the usernames you actually use.
4. Passport Information: passport number and issue/expiry dates. Double-check every digit.
5. Travel Information: purpose of trip (choose the exact visa class, e.g. B2 tourism or F-1 student), intended arrival date, length of stay, and the US address. A hotel or the address of the person you are visiting is fine.
6. Travel Companions & Previous US Travel: who you travel with and your complete US travel and visa history. Never hide a prior refusal — the consulate already has it on record, and misrepresentation can cause a permanent bar.
7. US Contact: the person or organization you will visit, or your hotel.
8. Family Information: parents' and spouse's details, including whether relatives are in the US.
9. Work/Education/Training: current and previous employment, education, and for some applicants military service and languages.
10. Security and Background: five pages of yes/no questions on health, criminal history, security, and immigration violations. Read carefully and answer truthfully.
11. Photo, review, sign and submit: upload your photo, review every page, then electronically sign. You cannot edit after submission.

DS-160 Photo Requirements

Upload a color photo taken within the last 6 months: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), full face with a neutral expression, plain white or off-white background, no glasses, and no head covering unless worn daily for religious purposes (your full face must be visible). If the upload fails, most embassies let you bring a printed photo to the interview — check your post's instructions. See the free passport photo editor & visa photo size guide for other countries' formats.

Common DS-160 Mistakes That Delay Applications

• Losing the Application ID — save it and the security answer in the first minute.
• Name mismatches — the name must match the passport's machine-readable zone, including middle names.
• Wrong visa class — e.g. choosing B1 when the trip is tourism (B2). A wrong class can mean a new form and a rescheduled interview.
• Omitting travel or refusal history — treat the form as a sworn statement; omissions are worse than the underlying fact.
• Inconsistent answers at the interview — the officer compares your spoken answers with the form; review your saved copy beforehand.
• Booking the interview with the wrong DS-160 barcode — if you submit a new form, update the barcode in your appointment profile.

After You Submit the DS-160

1. Save and print the confirmation page with the barcode — you must bring it to the interview.
2. Pay the MRV fee ($185 for B1/B2; other categories vary) through your embassy's visa service site.
3. Schedule appointments — many posts require a biometrics (OFC) visit plus a consular interview. Check current US visa interview wait times before planning travel.
4. Gather supporting documents — see the US visitor visa checklist.
5. Attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, fee receipt, and supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a DS-160 for a B1/B2 visa?

Yes. Every applicant for a US nonimmigrant visa, including B1/B2 tourist and business visas, must complete a separate DS-160 online form. Each traveler, including children, needs their own DS-160.

How much does the DS-160 cost?

The DS-160 form itself is free. After submitting it, you pay the visa application (MRV) fee — $185 for B1/B2 visitor visas — before scheduling your interview. Be cautious of third-party sites charging to fill the form.

How long does the DS-160 take to complete?

Most applicants need 60 to 90 minutes. The session times out after about 20 minutes of inactivity, so save your application ID and security answer at the start. You have 30 days to finish a saved application.

What photo do I need for the DS-160?

A color photo taken within the last 6 months: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), full face, neutral expression, plain white background, no glasses, no head covering unless religious. Some embassies also require a printed photo at the interview.

Can I correct a mistake after submitting the DS-160?

You cannot edit a submitted DS-160. For a significant error before your interview, complete a new DS-160 and update your appointment profile with the new confirmation (barcode) number. Minor typos can usually be clarified at the interview.

What happens after I submit the DS-160?

You receive a confirmation page with a barcode — print or save it, as you need it for the interview. Next you pay the MRV fee, schedule your biometrics and consular interview appointments, and gather your supporting documents.