How to Fill the DS-160 Form

DS-160 is an online nonimmigrant form for those applying for an F, J or M visa in the USA. Filing the DS-160 form is the first step towards completing the student visa process as an international student. This form is available online and has to be submitted online only through the official website of the US.

The DS160 form is for international students going to study in USA. Submission of the DS160 form is a part of the US student visa process. Also, the DS 160 application form’s confirmation page may be required for student visa interview purposes thus, it is important to submit it and keep the confirmation page and application handy. Check out the article to understand how to fill out a DS 160 form as an international student.

What is the DS 160 Application Form?

The DS 160 application form is an official document which aims to understand the background of non-immigrants based on personal and professional arenas. This form acts as a source of information for the US Embassy which assesses applicants and then offers them an interview request to further assess them or in some cases directly grant them a work or study visa for the USA. The DS 160 form is an important step towards the completion of the visa process in the USA. The DS 160 is an online application, the application number of which needs to be kept safely for further verification and visa process completion in the USA. Without completing the DS 160 form, the applicants cannot be offered a visa. Thus, those submitting a DS 160, should fill it with utmost care and within a timeframe to avoid getting stuck in a US visa interview slot booking.

How to Fill DS-160 Form?

We have given below the DS 160 Form filling guide along with the attached screenshots. Check out the steps to apply for a DS-160 form as an international student once he/she gets a confirmation from the US university to study in the US:

Step 1: Log on to the website - https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx and start your application by clicking on the Start New Application option.

Step 2: Safely note your application ID and set a security question with a lot of care because these will be beneficial for retrieving the application at a later stage.

Step 3: Select ‘yes’ for all options in the Personal Information 1 & 2 sections and fill in the necessary details.

Step 4: Add all necessary options for travel information based on visas, accommodation and the travel plans shared and set.

Step 5: Add previous US travel details if applicable and go on to the next set of information.

Step 6: Add address and phone numbers and submit along with all the relevant details as asked.

Step 7: Passport information is the next step towards completing the DS160.

Step 8: U.S. Point of Contact Information is for all applicants who are going to study in the USA and includes details of people who are known to the applicant, residing in the US and may be the point of contact in case of identification or emergency.

Step 9: Information about family members like relatives, partners, fiancees, deceased spouse or even former spouse and children if any are residing in the US of the applicant.

Step 10: The next set of information in the DS 160 form is about the applicant’s present work or education or training-related information.

Step 11: This set of information includes the applicant’s previous work or education or training-related information.

Step 12: Security and background checks 1 to 5 are the next on the list for the DS 160 application form. Here the applicant will have to fill in all the answers to the questions honestly.

Step 13: Additional Point of Contact is for applicants who will be adding contacts from their own country apart from their immediate family members.

Step 14: This is where the applicants opting to go on an F or M student visa and J student exchange visa in the US will have to add SEVIS fee information.

Step 15: The last step of filling out a DS160 application form is uploading a clear picture of the applicant. The specifications and details of which will be provided for the applicant. 

Step 16: By this time the applicant will have to review his/her DS-160 application form and submit it with digital signatures. 

Keep the confirmation page saved in an accessible place so that if required for a visa interview, the applicant does not need to print it again or hunt for it again. 

Documents Required for DS 160 Application 

The applicants submitting a DS160 form should have the following documents handy while completing it:

• A valid and recent passport
• Travel itinerary only if the applicants have already made travel arrangements.
• Dates of the applicant’s last five trips to the US, if previously travelled. 
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae to understand the work history of the applicant.

• Students and Exchange Visitors (F, J, and M): You will be asked to provide your SEVIS ID, printed on your I-20 form or DS-2019 for reference.

There may be additional documents required by applicants filing the US visa application DS 160 form. Thus, applicants must fill out the DS 160 form carefully so that there is a lesser scope for errors and then get back to the form for corrections.

Do's & Don'ts Before Filing DS 160 Application

There are certain steps given below for applicants’ references to how to go about filling the DS-160 form followed by the list of documents required by the applicant in order to complete the application. Check the following pointers before proceeding to start filling out the DS-160 form:

• Applicants should access the DS-160 form on Chrome Internet Explorer 11 or Firefox.
• Avoid using Microsoft Edge and Safari browsers to access the DS-160 visa application. 
• DS-160 application form should have a clear picture and hence the specifications should be taken care of. 
• Be vigilant where there are mandatory questions and where there are optional questions on the DS-160.
• Upon submission of DS160, no fee is required. Applicants should be aware in case a fee is requested upon submission. 
• Ensure that once the DS160 is submitted, the applicants keep an extra copy of the printout of the confirmation page. 
• Lastly, the applicants must answer all questions and fill in all details in the English language. 

The DS160 is valid for F-1 visa holders, M-1 visa holders and J-1 visa holders in the USA, along with a few other temporary visa holders. 

Once the DS 160 application is submitted, the applicants must take a printout of the confirmation page. After the DS 160 is submitted with signatures and fees, applicants can book a slot for their student visa interview.

While appearing for a student visa interview, applicants may be required to carry along this confirmation page intimation. 

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