How to Fill DS-160 Form for F-1 USA Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

The DS-160 is an online application form that every F-1 student visa applicant must fill out before scheduling a US visa interview. It collects your key personal, academic, and travel details and connects directly to your US visa application.

The DS-160 acts as the official record of your intent to travel to the United States for temporary, nonimmigrant purposes, like study. It connects directly with your SEVIS record, which tracks international students in the US, and becomes part of your visa profile throughout your journey. Filling it correctly is not just a formality; it’s the first official step in your student visa process.

Key Details about Form DS-160

Before you start filling out the DS-160, it’s important to understand how it works, what it’s used for, and what happens after submission. Many students assume it’s a basic online form, but in reality, it plays a key role in whether your visa gets approved smoothly.

• Purpose of the Form: The DS-160 is used by the US Department of State to collect information from nonimmigrant visa applicants. This includes students applying for the F-1 visa to study in the US.
• Completely Online Process: The form is filled out and submitted online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. You do not need to print the entire form, only the confirmation page with the barcode.
• Required for Visa Interview: You cannot attend your visa interview or biometric appointment without a completed DS-160 form and confirmation page. It acts as your official application for the US visa process.
• Linked to Your SEVIS Record: For students, the form requires your SEVIS ID (from your I-20) and other study-related details. The US Embassy uses this data to match your visa application with your student record.
• Time-Sensitive and Detailed: The form has multiple sections and may take up to 90 minutes to complete. Your session can expire if inactive, so saving your progress often is important.
• Cannot Be Edited After Submission: Once submitted, the DS-160 cannot be changed. If you find any error, you’ll need to fill out a new form and bring the updated confirmation to your visa interview.

The DS-160 form is important for an F-1 visa because it is the official application that allows you to schedule your US visa interview. You cannot proceed with the F-1 visa process without submitting it.

This form gives the US Embassy all the key details about your identity, academic plans, and travel purpose. It connects directly to your SEVIS ID and Form I-20, helping the US government verify your student status and university admission.

Since visa officers rely on this form to decide whether you qualify for a student visa, any mistake or mismatch can delay or even affect your approval. That’s why filling out the DS-160 accurately and completely is a critical step for every international student.

All international students applying for a US F-1 visa must fill out the DS-160 form. This includes undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and short-term exchange programme applicants.

The DS-160 is mandatory for any non-immigrant visa category, including F-1 (students), J-1 (exchange visitors), B-2 (tourists), and H-1B (temporary workers). For students, this form links your visa application to your SEVIS record and is required to move forward with the biometric appointment and visa interview.

If you are under 16 years of age or unable to complete the form on your own, a parent, guardian, or third party can fill it out on your behalf.

Filling out the DS-160 form itself is free, but it is only one part of the visa application process. To move forward with your F-1 student visa, you must pay two key fees:

F-1 Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)

This fee falls under the category of non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas, which means you don’t need prior approval from USCIS to apply. Instead, you apply directly at the US Embassy or Consulate using your DS-160 form and Form I-20. Below is the information about the MRV fee:

• Amount: USD 185 (INR 15,500 approx.)
• Who Pays: All F-1 student visa applicants
• Why: This fee is required to schedule your visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.

SEVIS I-901 Fee

This links your DS-160 form with your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. Here is all you need to know about the SEVIS I-901 fee: 

• Amount: USD 350 (INR 29,300 approx.)
• Who Pays: Anyone issued a Form I-20 by a US university.
• Why: This fee supports the system that tracks all international students in the US.

Important Thing to Remember: Fees are non-refundable and may vary slightly due to exchange rates or country-specific surcharges.

Do You Need to Pay Any Petition-Based Visa Fee?

No. F-1 visa applicants do not fall under petition-based visa categories. Petition-based visas (like H-1B or L-1) involve a US employer filing a petition with USCIS first, which is not the case for F-1 student visas.

Before you begin filling out the DS-160 form, make sure you have all the required documents and details with you, like personal, academic, travel, and background information. It is extremely important to stay accurate with your official records.

Here’s a list of documents and information you’ll need while filling out the DS-160 form for an F-1 visa:

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US. Keep your passport number, issue/expiry dates, and place of issuance ready.

Form I-20

This form contains your SEVIS ID, university address, and programme details issued by your US university. You’ll enter these exactly as mentioned in the form.

SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt (I-901)

This is proof that you’ve paid the SEVIS fee (USD 350 or INR 29,300 approx.). You’ll be asked to provide the confirmation number during the DS-160 process.

Visa Application (MRV) Fee Receipt

Keep the receipt of your visa application fee payment (USD 185 or INR 15,500 approx). This is needed later when scheduling your visa interview.

Photograph (As per US Visa Photo Guidelines)

The photo must meet US visa specifications. It should be a recent one, colour (not black and white), white background, 2x2 inches in size. You may be required to upload it digitally in the form.

Travel Itinerary (if booked)

If you’ve already made travel plans, keep flight details ready. If not, you can skip this section or enter tentative travel dates.

Academic History

Names and addresses of all schools, colleges, and universities you’ve attended. Include start and end dates, qualifications earned, and major subjects.

Work Experience (if applicable)

If you’ve worked previously, note down job titles, employer names, locations, and dates of employment.

Family Details

You’ll need names, dates of birth, and the nationality of your parents. Even if they don’t live with you or are deceased.

Social Media Details

You may be asked to provide your usernames or handles for platforms used in the last five years (like Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter). Passwords are not required.

US Contact Information

This includes a US-based contact person or the international office of your university (mentioned on your I-20). You'll also need to provide their relationship to you.

Filling out the DS-160 form online can be time-consuming, but not a tedious process. You should be up to date with all of your information and be truthful on the DS-160. Always remember to save your progress while the DS-160 form, so your progress is already saved when the session times out.

Here is the step-by-step process to fill out the DS-160 form online:

• Step 1: Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center website
• Step 2: Log in to your Account
• Step 3: Fill in the Security Question
• Step 4: Fill in Your Personal Information
• Step 5: Answer the Security Questions 
• Step 6: Fill in F-1 Visa Specifics
• Step 7: Review & Submit Your DS-160 Form

Let us explain each in detail now:

Step 1: Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center Website

Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center website to start your DS-160 form application.

Step 2: Log in to your Account

Once you’re on the sign-in page, enter your preferred consulate and the CAPTCHA code. Select ‘Start an application’ to start your new application, or select ‘Retrieve an application’ if you already have your application number.

Step 3: Fill in the Security Question

The security question is the same for everyone, i.e. the name of your mother’s mother, which has been shown in the DS-160 form sample below.

Step 4: Fill in Your Personal Information

The next two pages require you to enter your personal information. This includes your full name, name in the native alphabet, and information about any previous names you might have had. Check ‘No’ where they ask you if a Telecode represents your name. On page 2, you will be asked about your nationality and whether or not you hold the nationality of another country. Do fill in the necessary details according to your profile, like:

Fill in the Passport Details 

The next two sections are about your address, phone numbers, travel information, passport information, etc.

Some important points to note while DS-160 fill are:

• The type of passport is Regular unless you come into any of the other categories.
• The type of visa is generally a student F-1 visa.

• If you have booked your flight tickets, then you can mention it while filling out the DS-160 form. If not, you need to enter the intended date of entry to the US. This could be 5-7 days before your orientation.
• The address where you will stay is the University’s address mentioned on the I-20.
• If you’re paying for the trip, then mention Self, else mention your sponsor's name, contact details, and relation to you.

• You can mention whether or not you’re travelling with anyone who isn’t a student, like your parents.

• Describe any previous US travels.

• Your US Point of Contact is mentioned on your I-20. They are a school official, generally from the office of international admissions or such. Their address is the college address mentioned on your I-20, and their email address and phone number can be found on the website.

• Fill in Your Family Information

The next section of the DS-160 form is very generic and requires you to fill in your basic family information.

• Fill in Your Education Details 

In the next section, you need to mention your post-secondary education (undergraduate degree, graduate degree, etc.) You also need to mention your current and previous employment details. People who are not employed, as well as not studying, can select 'NOT EMPLOYED' in the Primary Occupation section.

You will also be asked questions about the languages you can speak, places you have travelled to (abroad) in the past 5 years.

This is followed by a few questions about you, such as whether you have any special skills in the field of explosives, if you’ve ever served in the military, if you’ve been a part of a rebel group, etc. The answer to all these questions should be NO, unless it’s valid for you and you have a valid explanation for it.

Suggested: What is the Difference between J1 and F1 Student Visa? 

Step 5: Answer the Security Questions 

The next section of the DS-160 form contains security questions. These are to ensure that you are not going to cause any trouble in terms of violence, communicable diseases, etc., while in the US. It is a 5-part section.

They may even ask you questions like whether you have any communicable diseases, any disorders, drug addiction, whether you or any member of your family has been involved in criminal activities, etc.

The US consulate also asks you whether you have ever tried to gain immigrant status in the US by unlawful means. The answer to all these questions should be NO; otherwise, you raise red flags with the visa officer!

Step 6: Fill in F-1 Visa Specifics 

The next section is specific to the F-1 visa. It contains fields to enter your SEVIS ID, school name, and address, course information, duration, etc. This is specific to student visas.

Step 7: Review & Submit Your DS-160 Form 

After knowing how to fill out DS-160, and filling it out, you need to review your application carefully. You don't have to upload any photographs as the photograph will be taken at the ASC (Application Service Centre).

Now that you are aware of how to fill out DS-160, you will go about it the same way. Make sure that you check your information thoroughly, as you cannot make changes once you submit. Once submitted, you will receive the confirmation. After which, you can proceed to book the US visa interview dates on the embassy or consulate website.

Here is a sample of the DS-160 confirmation page to help you understand what it looks like. This page confirms that you have successfully submitted your US nonimmigrant visa application and is required at the time of your visa appointment.

You must fill out the DS-160 form correctly to avoid delays or visa rejection. Even small mistakes like wrong dates or missing details can cause serious problems. Below are common mistakes you should avoid when filing the DS-160 form:

Use the Same Information Everywhere

Make sure your name, date of birth, and other details match across all documents, passport, I-20, financial proof, and DS-160 form. Even one spelling change can cause problems.

Be Careful with Travel Details

Write the right travel date (based on your I-20 start date). For your U.S. address, use your university’s address if you haven’t booked housing yet.

Choose the Correct Visa Type

If you're a full-time student, select F-1 as your visa type. Don’t pick a tourist (B-2) or an exchange visitor (J-1) by mistake.

Double-Check Passport Info

Your passport number, issue date, and expiry date must be 100% correct. A small typing mistake can cause issues during your interview.

Answer Security Questions Seriously

Give honest and clear answers in the security and background section. Don’t make jokes or guess. Treat this very part seriously.

Save Your Application ID

When you start the form, you get an Application ID. Save it in your phone or email. You’ll need it if the session times out.

Upload the Right Photo

Your photo must be in colour, recent, and taken with a white background. It should be 2x2 inches in size. If it doesn’t follow these rules, the system may reject it.

Review Before You Submit

Once you submit the form, you cannot edit it. Read every section carefully before clicking ‘submit’.

Don’t Forget the Confirmation Page

After submitting, you’ll get a confirmation page with a barcode. Print it and bring it to your visa interview. You won’t be allowed in without it.

The process of filling out DS-160 is easy, provided you have all the relevant information. We would suggest you only fill in honest information, which creates no hassle in your US student visa application process. 

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