DS-160 Form: Validity, Application Process, Requirements, Fees, & More

The DS-160 form is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application required for individuals applying for a temporary visa to the United States, including the F-1 student visa US. It is a crucial step in the US visa process and must be submitted before scheduling your visa interview.

If you plan to enroll in an academic degree program at a US university, the DS-160 is mandatory for your F-1 visa application. It informs the US government that you have been accepted into a recognized educational institution and that you meet all the requirements to study in the US.

After the DS-160 form filling, the next step is to receive your student visa is to schedule an interview at the nearest US Visa Consulate. When you clear the visa interview, you will be issued your F-1 visa, and you are all set to study in the US. In summary, the DS-160 is a crucial document that helps the US government assess your eligibility for a student visa and is the foundation of your F-1 visa application process.

The majority of nonimmigrant visa applicants must submit the DS-160 form. The US Department of State uses it to gather the data required to handle your visa application. Before setting up your visa interview, you must fill out the DS-160 online form if you are applying for any of the following visa categories.

• B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas: Individuals visiting the US temporarily for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2), or a combination of both must fill out the DS-160. This includes tourists, people attending conferences, and those seeking short-term business meetings.
• F-1 Student Visa: Students who have secured admission to a US college or university for full-time academic programs must submit the DS-160 to apply for an F-1 student visa. This step confirms their intent and eligibility to study in the US.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: Participants in exchange programs, such as scholars, interns, and researchers must complete the DS-160 to apply for the J-1 visa. This visa is typically issued to individuals involved in cultural or academic exchange programs.
• H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa: Professionals with specialized skills in fields like IT, engineering, finance, or medicine applying for the H-1B visa must fill out the DS-160. This form helps verify their qualifications and employment offer from a US-based employer.
• L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa: Employees of multinational companies transferring to their US branch under the L-1 visa category are required to complete the DS-160. It verifies their role and relationship with the foreign and US-based offices.
• E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: Citizens of countries that maintain a treaty of commerce with the US and are investing in a US-based business must submit the DS-160 for the E-2 visa. This form captures details about the nature and extent of the investment.
• O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa: Individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in areas such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics must submit the DS-160 while applying for the O-1 visa. This helps document their expertise and the purpose of their travel.

In addition to the categories listed above, other visa types may also require a DS-160 submission. Applicants must ensure they are completing the correct form based on their visa classification.

To complete the DS-160 form, you need a valid passport, travel itinerary (if available), recent travel history, and details of your education, employment, and U.S. contact. Additional documents like the SEVIS ID or I-129 petition may be needed based on your visa type.

Keep reading to know in detail about the eligibility and document requirements.

DS-160 Form Eligibility

If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States, you are eligible to fill out the DS-160 form. Temporary travel for tourism, business, education, employment, medical care, exchange programs, or K visas (fiancé(e) of U.S. citizens) is included in this.

The official U.S. Department of State website is the only way to electronically submit the DS-160. All nonimmigrant visa categories require it. During your visa interview, a consular officer reviews the information you submit to determine your eligibility.

You are eligible to complete the DS-160 if:

• You are applying for a temporary visa, such as B-1/B-2, F-1, J-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others

• You are applying for a K visa (fiancé(e) visa)

• You intend to travel to the U.S. for a non-permanent purpose, including study, business, training, or tourism

Form DS-160 Required Documents

To complete the DS-160 online application, it’s important to keep all necessary documents and details readily available. These documents help ensure the information you provide is accurate and complete.

• Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay in the US.

• Travel Itinerary (if available): If you’ve already made travel plans, have your flight and accommodation details on hand.

• Previous US Travel History: Be ready to provide the dates of your last five trips to the United States, if applicable. You may also be asked to list your international travel history from the past five years.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Especially useful for applicants with professional or academic backgrounds—this should include your education and work history.

• Other Information: Depending on the purpose of your visit, additional information may be required (e.g., family details, social media handles, etc.).

Students may also require these additional documents

• SEVIS ID, found on your I-20 (for F and M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas)

• Name and address of the school or program sponsor, also listed on your I-20 or DS-2019

Filling out the DS-160 form is a straightforward process. It’s important to complete the form accurately and in English, even though translation options are available. Follow these steps to fill up your DS-160 form:

Step 1: Start a New Application

Begin by visiting the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) on the U.S. Department of State website. Click on “Start a New Application” to initiate your DS-160 form.

Step 2: Save Your Application ID

Once you begin, you’ll see an Application ID at the top right-hand corner of the page. Make sure to note this down or take a screenshot—it’s essential for retrieving your form later if you need to pause and continue later.

Step 3: Enter Your Details Carefully

Proceed to fill out the form, page by page, following the on-screen instructions. You’ll be asked about your details, travel plans, passport information, family background, and more. Answer every question honestly, leaving anything blank may result in processing delays or rejection.

Step 4: Digitally Sign the Form

After completing all sections, you’ll be prompted to digitally sign the application. Click on “Sign Application” to proceed. This confirms that the information provided is accurate and truthful.

Step 5: Review Before Submitting

Before hitting the Submit button, double-check all your answers. Once submitted, you cannot edit the form, so it’s critical to ensure everything is correct.

Step 6: Print the Confirmation Page

After submission, a confirmation page with a barcode will appear. Print this page—it’s required for scheduling your visa interview and must be brought with you to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The DS-160 form itself does not have a processing time. You will receive a confirmation page with a barcode as soon as you finish and submit it online; you must print this page and bring it to your visa appointment.

Following the DS-160 submission:

• Depending on your U.S. embassy or consulate, you may need to make an appointment for a visa interview, which could take weeks or months.

• It normally takes 7–10 working days for a visa to be issued after a successful interview and approval, plus extra time for the delivery of a passport.

In conclusion, DS-160 submission is instantaneous, interview scheduling is contingent upon local backlog, and visa issuance typically occurs two weeks after approval.

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If you save an incomplete DS-160 form online, it will be accessible for 30 days after you begin. The saved data will be automatically removed from the system after this time. Downloading the form to your computer as a backup is advised if you anticipate needing more time. Later on, you can upload it and pick up where you left off.

The DS-160 form has no set expiration date after it is submitted. It must, however, be used during the same cycle of visa applications. If there are major changes to your travel itinerary or personal details, or if your visa interview is postponed by several months, you might be required to complete and submit a new DS-160

The DS-160 form does not have a fee, but there is an MRV fee of $185 (₹16,000). Depending on the type of visa, each applicant must pay a nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Furthermore, after a visa is granted, certain nationalities must pay a reciprocity or visa issuance fee. The total cost for Indian students is restricted to the USD 185 (INR 16,000) MRV fee because Indian passport holders are exempt from this issuance fee.

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A confirmation page with a barcode will be sent to you after you submit the DS-160 form online. Because it is necessary for the subsequent steps in your visa application process, this page is crucial and needs to be printed.

Once the form has been submitted, you will need to pay the visa application fee (MRV) and make an appointment at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A consular official will examine the data you submitted on the DS-160, confirm any supporting documentation, and assess your eligibility for the visa you have applied for during your interview.

Even minor mistakes can result in delays or rejections when completing the DS-160 form, which is an essential step in the application process for a U.S. student visa. The following are typical errors that candidates should steer clear of:

• Using incompatible browsers: Only Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 11, or Firefox should be used to access the DS-160 form. Steer clear of Safari and Microsoft Edge as they might not support all of the form's features.

• Uploading the wrong picture: Be sure to adhere to the official photo guidelines. Your application may be denied if your photos are blurry or the wrong size.

• Ignoring required fields: Pay attention to which questions are required and which are not. Submission will not be possible if the required fields are left empty.

• Not saving the confirmation page: After submitting, make sure to print and preserve several copies of the barcode-containing confirmation page. It may be required for SEVIS verification as well as for your visa interview.

• Not responding in English: All responses must be written in English, except names and other responses that may be written in your native alphabet.

• Considering that it applies to all visas: the DS-160 can be used for temporary nonimmigrant visas such as the F-1, M-1, and J-1. Verify that your visa category is accepted.

Applicants can set up their visa interview after the DS-160 has been properly filed and signed. On the day of your interview, don't forget to bring the printed confirmation page, as it will be needed for identification and entry.

One of the most important first steps in obtaining a U.S. student visa is completing the DS-160 form. Attention to detail is crucial, from selecting the appropriate browser to correctly filling out each section in English and uploading a photo that complies. Avoidable mistakes, such as failing to print the confirmation page or omitting to fill out mandatory fields, cause delays for many applicants. 

Yocket is aware of how daunting this process can be, particularly if this is your first time moving abroad. For detailed advice on everything from DS-160 submission to visa interview preparation, thousands of students rely on our professionals. Yocket Premium is available to help you confidently navigate each milestone if you're searching for dependable support and peace of mind.