How to Fill up DS-160 Form – Online PDF Samples

Completing the DS-160 form is a crucial step in the US visa process. The information you provide is used by US consular officers to review and decide on your visa application.

Thao & Co. is here with helpful tips on how to fill up DS 160 form.

What is the DS-160 form?

The DS-160 form is required for nonimmigrant visa applicants to the United States. You must complete the DS-160 form online through the electronic registration system of the US Consulate General.

Completing the DS-160 form is a mandatory and crucial part of the visa process,

as the U.S. has one of the world’s strictest visa policies. Learning how to fill up DS 160 application form accurately can help you avoid common mistakes.

>> Link to fill DS 160 form online: ceac.state.gov/genniv/

What is the DS-160 confirmation number?

After submitting your DS-160 form, you’ll receive a confirmation number. This number is crucial for tracking and referencing your visa application.

You’ll need it in several situations, such as:

1. ● Extending a US student visa by mail
2. ● Renewing a travel or tourism visa by mail
3. ● Scheduling a visa interview at a U.S. Consulate General
4. ● Presenting the confirmation number document during your visa interview

Check out: Where to find high-quality US visa translation services?

DS-160 PDF Form

This PDF form, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is essential for your visa application. Here’s what to keep in mind:

How to fill up DS 160 form for the US travel or study visas?

Below is a guide on how to fill DS 160 form step by step.

⌛ Expected duration: 90 minutes.

Let Thao & Co. assist you to save time and avoid errors in your DS-160 application.

Step 1: Start a new DS-160 form

1. ● Visit ceac.state.gov/genniv/ then select your country and local city.

Example: VIETNAM, HO CHI MINH CITY

1. ● Enter the verification code and click START AN APPLICATION.

You will be redirected to the privacy policy page:

1. ● Select I AGREE to continue.
2. ● Scroll down and answer the security question (E.g. “What is your grandmother’s name?”).
3. ● Note your APPLICATION ID
4. ● Select Continue to proceed to the form.

Step 2: Fill up the page Personal Information 1

⚠️ Important: Ensure all information matches your passport.

1. ● Surname: Enter your surname exactly as shown in your passport. Example: NGUYEN VAN

1. ● Given Name: Enter your given name exactly as shown in your passport, eg., SANG. If your passport doesn’t include a given name, type “FNU” (First Name Unknown) in the “Given Name” field.

1. ● Full Name in Native Language: Enter your full name as it appears on your birth certificate. Example: NGUYỄN VĂN SÁNG.

1. ● Have you ever used other names?: Select Yes or No. Other names may include maiden, religious, professional names, nicknames, etc.

1. ● Do you have a telecode that represents your name? Select Yes or No.

1. ● Sex: Choose Male or Female

1. Marital Status: Select your current status.
   • ○ MARRIED
   • ○ COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
   • ○ CIVIL UNION/DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
   • ○ SINGLE
   • ○ WIDOWED
   • ○ DIVORCED
   • ○ LEGALLY SEPARATED
   • ○ OTHER

1. ● Date and place of birth:  Enter your date of birth in DD-MMM-YYYY format and provide your place of birth, including City, State/Province, Country/Region.

➡️ When complete, click Save and Next: Personal 2 to continue to the next section.

Step 3: Enter Personal Information 2

1. ● Country/Region of Origin: Select your nationality.
2. ● Do you hold or have you held any nationality other than the one indicated above on nationality?: Select Yes or No. (If Yes, specify the nationality.)
3. ● Are you a permanent resident of a country/region other than your country/region of origin (nationality) indicated above?: Choose Yes or No. (If Yes, select the other nationality below.)
4. ● National Identification Number: Enter your current ID number.
5. ● U.S. Social Security Number: Check Does Not Apply or provide your Social Security Number if you’ve lived in the U.S.
6. ● U.S.Taxpayer ID Number: Select Does Not Apply or Enter your Taxpayer ID Number (if applicable)

➡️ Click Save and then Next: Travel

Step 4: Fill in Travel Information

1. ● Purpose of Trip to the U.S.: Indicate the purpose of your trip.
   • ○ Travel: Choose TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B) and choose visa type B1, B2, or B1/B2.
   • ○ Study: Select ACADEMIC OR LANGUAGE STUDENT (F).
   • ○ Other purposes: Provide the appropriate description.

1. ● Have you made specific travel plans?: Select Yes if you’ve already booked your flight and accommodations. If not, give as much detail as possible about your trip.

1. ● Intended Date of Arrival: Enter the date you plan to enter the U.S.

1. ● Arrival Flight: If booked, provide the flight number.

1. ● Arrival City: Name the first U.S. city you’ll visit.

1. ● Date of Departure from U.S.: Enter your planned departure date.

1. ● Departure City:  Enter the last U.S. city on your itinerary.

1. ● Provide the locations you plan to visit in the U.S.: List the addresses of places you intend to visit. To add more locations, click Add Another.

1. ● Address Where You Will Stay in the U.S.: Fill out the following sections:
   • ○ Street Address (Line 1): Name of the street
   • ○ Street Address (Line 2): Name of the street
   • ○ City: Name of the city
   • ○ State: Name of the State
   • ○ Zip Code (if available)

1. ● Person/Entity Paying for Your Trip: Select SELF if you’re funding your trip; otherwise, provide the required information.

➡️ Click Save then Next: Travel Companions

Step 5: Provide your companion’s information

1. ● Are there other persons traveling with you?: Select No if you travel lone, and Yes if you travel with someone.

⭐ If you choose Yes, please provide the following information:

1. ● Are you traveling as part of a group or organization?: Select Yes if you travel on a tour. Select No if you travel with your family or friends.

1. ● Surnames of Person Traveling With You: Enter your companion’s surname.

1. ● Given Names of Person Traveling With You: Enter your companion’s given name.

1. ● Relationship with Person:
   • ○ PARENT
   • ○ SPOUSE
   • ○ CHILD
   • ○ OTHER RELATIVE
   • ○ FRIEND
   • ○ BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
   • ○ OTHER

⭐ To add another companion, please click Add Another.

➡️ Press Save and Next: Previous U.S. Travel

Step 6: Complete the Previous U.S Travel section

1. ● Have you ever been in the U.S.?:Choose No if you haven’t visited the U.S. Choose Yes if you have, and provide the additional details below.

⭐ Skip the following fields if you select No.

1. ● Date Arrived: Enter your entry date.

1. ● Length of Stay: Enter the number of days or months of your stay.

⭐ Click Add Another if you have visited the U.S. multiple times, up to a maximum of 5 recent trips.

1. ● Do you or did you ever hold a U.S. Driver’s License?: Select No if you have never held a U.S. driver’s license. Select Yes and provide the following information:
   • ○ Driver’s License Number: Enter the number of your driver’s license.
   • ○ State of Driver’s License: Choose the state that issued your driver’s license.
   • ○ Select Add Another if you have multiple driver’s licenses.

1. ● Have you ever been issued a U.S. Visa? No, if you have never had a U.S. visa. Yes, and provide the following:

1. ● Date Last Visa was Issued

1. ● Visa Number (the red number on your visa)

1. ● Has your U.S. Visa ever been lost or stolen?: Choose Yes or No.

1. ● Has your U.S. Visa ever been cancelled or revoked?: Choose Yes or No.

1. ● Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, or been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry?: Choose Yes or No.

1. ● Has anyone ever filed an immigrant petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services?: Choose Yes, if a representative has filed an I-140 form on your behalf.

➡️ Once completed, save the form and click Next: Passport.

Step 7: Update Passport Information

1. ● Passport/Travel Document Type: Choose the type of passport or travel document you hold. For a standard passport, select REGULAR. Other types should be selected accordingly.

1. ● Passport/Travel Document Number: Enter the number shown on your passport or travel document.

⚠️ Important: Your passport or travel document must be valid to verify your information.

1. ● Passport Book Number: Click Does Not Apply, if don’t have a passport book number.

1. ● Country/Authority that Issued Passport/Travel Document: Enter the name of the country that issued your passport or travel document.

1. ● Issuance Date:  Enter the date your passport was issued in the format DD-MMM-YYYY.

1. ● Expiration Date: Enter the date your passport expires.

⭐ Important: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.

1. ● Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen?: Select No if your passport has never been lost or stolen. Select Yes if it has, and provide additional information as prompted.

➡️ Once complete, save your entries and click Next to continue with the rest as instructed.

Frequently asked questions about the DS-160 form

Find answers to some common questions about the DS-160 form.

Q: What happens if I submit an incorrect DS-160 form?

1. A: If there’s an error in your DS-160 form, you’ll need to complete a new form with a different confirmation number before scheduling your appointment.

Q: Can I change information on the DS-160 form after submission?

1. A: Once submitted, you can’t add or delete information on the DS-160 form. However, you may submit a new form with updated information. Be sure all details are accurate to avoid issues with your visa application.

Q: Which language should I use for the DS-160 form?

1. A: The DS-160 form must be completed in English. You can translate the questions to understand them better, but all responses must be in English.

Q: How long does it take to complete the DS-160 form?

1. A: Completing the form usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. You can save your progress and use your Application ID to resume later if needed.

Q: Will my application be lost if I leave the website?

1. A: Your application data won’t be lost if you save it. Make sure to download the file and note your Application ID to continue your application later if you need to pause.