Ds 160 Internet Guide

Introduction to
the DS-160
American Consulate General, Mumbai
January 2010
Page 1
Background
DS-160 is an online nonimmigrant visa (NIV) form.

Replaces the following forms:
DS-156 NIV Visa Application
DS-157 Supplemental NIV Application
DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for
NIV Applicant
Page 2
Implementation
All appointments starting February 1st

will require a completed DS-160.
The form will be available starting
January 19th.
Page 3
Key Changes
Currently
VFS website for form
submission/scheduling
Up to three paper
forms
DS-156, 157, and 158
Print both forms and

confirmation pages
Individual applications
As of February 1
Use VFS website for
scheduling only
One electronic form
DS-160
Print only the

confirmation page
Applicant uploads photo
Page 4
Your Role
It is important to fully and correctly complete
the DS-160:
Incomplete or incorrect forms will not be
accepted.
Applicants will not be able to interview until a
correct form has been re-submitted.
You must identify yourself if you are completing

the form on an someone elses behalf.
We have the ability to identify the source of
any submitted application.
Page 5
The Application Process

1. Have an electronic photo of applicant.
2. Fill out the DS-160 application online.
3. Pay the visa application fees at HDFC bank.
4. Schedule the appointment through VFS.
Page 6
The Photo A Brand New Step

The photograph to be digitized must be at minimum
2 inches by 2 inches, plain background.
The scanner resolution should be set to a minimum
of 300 dots per inch or 300 pixels per inch.
The digital photograph should be saved as a highquality (low-compression) JPEG image file.
More technical requirements can be found at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/guide/guide_3877.html
Page 7
Filling out the DS-160

Log onto https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ for the
application. This link will be located on the
consulates website and VFSs website.
Complete the DS-160 form following the
instructions.
Upload the photo when instructed.
Print the completed application forms confirmation
page with a barcode.
Page 8
Fees and Appointments
All fees must still be paid at one of the

designated branches of HDFC Bank.
All appointments must still be made via the VFS
website. The VFS website layout will change
on January 19, 2010.
Cancelled appointments/no show processes do
not change.
Page 9
The DS-160
Page 10
IF THE CHOSEN SELECTION IS

WRONG , THE INFORMATION IN THE
DS-160 WILL BE SENT TO A
DIFFERENT DATABASE.
THIS IS WHERE YOU UPLOAD

PREVIOUSLY SAVED
APPLICATIONS.
Page 11
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
SAVE THE APPLICATION
WHILE ITS BEING FILLED
OUT.
ONCE THE FILE IS SAVED TO

YOUR COMPUTER, YOU CAN
EMAIL IT OR UPLOAD IT TO
COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
AT A LATER DATE.
FILE SAVE AS .DAT

EXTENSION; CANNOT BE
OPENED OUTSIDE OF THE
DS-160 ONLINE SYSTEM.
Page 12
Page 13
THE INFORMATION
PROVIDED IN THESE
FIELDS WILL BE
PRINTED ON THE VISA.
Page 14
FIELDS THAT DETERMINE IF

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WILL BE
REQUIRED.
Page 15
MONTHLY SALARY AMOUNT AND

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES SHOULD
BE STATED.
Page 16
EXAMPLE WHERE INFORMATION

IS FREQUENTLY EXCLUDED.
Page 17
IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR

APPLICANTS TO SPECIFY AS
MANY CONTACT PHONE
NUMBERS AS POSSIBLE.
Page 18
NOT BEING HONEST WHEN

ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS
COULD RESULT IN A VISA
INELIGIBILITY
Page 19
PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION

CORRECTLY CAN SPEED UP THE
APPLICATION PROCESS.
Page 20
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO STATE

IF THE APPLICATION WAS FILLED
OUT BY A PERSON OTHER THAN
THE APPLICANT.
THIS IS THE DIGITAL

SIGNATURE.
Page 21
The CEAC Barcode
THIS IS THE CEAC

BARCODE THAT YOU
WILL USE TOGETHER
WITH THE HDFC
BARCODE TO MAKE
THE APPOINTMENT
ON THE VFS WEBSITE.
Page 22
New Family Option

If the applicant is traveling with dependents, you
may use the Family Option after submission of the
first application.
This saves data entry on subsequent applications.
Page 23
The Interview
The applicant brings to the interview:

Passport,
VFS appointment letter, and
Other supporting documents per visa category.
Page 24
Tips for Success

Save to your desktop while you are completing the form.
Only use do not know or does not apply, if true. Use
explanation fields as appropriate.
Be honest; ask applicant more questions if needed.
Incomplete/inaccurate information may lead to visa ineligibilities.
Ensure photo meets quality standards.

Confirmation page should have a clearly printed bar code.
After form submission, email the confirmation page to
yourself in case the hard copy is lost.
Page 25
In Summary
The DS-160 is required for all appointments starting
February 1, 2010.
DS-160 information on the Consulates and VFSs
websites.
Continue to use VFS to schedule appointments.
Continue to pay fees at HDFC.

Frequently Asked Questions are located at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_4401.html
Page 26

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Introduction to

DS-160 is an online nonimmigrant visa (NIV) form.

All appointments starting February 1st

Print both forms and

Print only the

You must identify yourself if you are completing

The Application Process

The Photo A Brand New Step

Filling out the DS-160

Fees and Appointments

All fees must still be paid at one of the

IF THE CHOSEN SELECTION IS

THIS IS WHERE YOU UPLOAD

ONCE THE FILE IS SAVED TO

FILE SAVE AS .DAT

FIELDS THAT DETERMINE IF

MONTHLY SALARY AMOUNT AND

EXAMPLE WHERE INFORMATION

IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR

NOT BEING HONEST WHEN

PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO STATE

THIS IS THE DIGITAL

The CEAC Barcode

THIS IS THE CEAC

New Family Option

The applicant brings to the interview:

Tips for Success

Ensure photo meets quality standards.

Continue to pay fees at HDFC.

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