How to Fill Out Form DS-160?

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Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The DS-160 form is the mandatory online visa application for anyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States. Although it may look complicated, with this guide you will complete it flawlessly and without stress.

Step 1: What Is the DS-160 and Who Must Complete It

The DS-160 is the electronic nonimmigrant visa application form for the United States, required by the Department of State. It applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories:

•         B1/B2 - tourist and business visas

•         F-1 - student visas

•         H-1B - work visas

•         J-1 - exchange visitor visas

•         I - journalist visas and many others

Who does NOT have to complete it? Citizens of countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), entering for up to 90 days and registering through ESTA - unless they are applying for a visa despite being eligible for ESTA.

Tip: The form is free. You complete it only on the website https://ceac.state.gov  - only this official site is valid. Beware of fake sites charging fees!

Step 2: How to Create a Session and Start the Form

Go to https://ceac.state.gov. Select the embassy or consulate location where you will submit the visa application - this is crucial, because the choice is tied to the form and cannot be easily changed.

Click "Start an Application". The system will generate a unique application ID number (Application ID). Write it down and keep it safe! Without it, you will not be able to return to an interrupted session.

Note: The session will expire after 20 minutes of inactivity. Click Save or Next regularly so you do not lose your data. You have a maximum of 30 days to complete the form from the moment you create the session.

Step 3: Personal and Contact Information

This is the largest section of the form. Enter the data exactly as it appears in your passport - without abbreviations and without Polish diacritics (use transliteration, e.g. KOWALSKI).

Form field	Tip
First Name (Given Name)	As in your passport, without Polish characters
Last Name (Surname)	As in your passport, exactly as written
Date of Birth	Format DD-MMM-YYYY, e.g. 15-MAR-1990
Place of Birth	English transliteration, e.g. WARSAW, KRAKOW
Country of Birth	POLAND
Citizenship	POLAND (if another - list all)

Tip: If your first or last name has changed (e.g. after marriage), list both - previous and current. This is important for visa data consistency.

Step 4: Passport Information and Planned Travel

Copy the details from your passport: document number, date of issue and expiration, country and issuing authority. Double-check - an error here may result in the application being rejected.

In the travel section, provide:

•         Purpose of travel - choose the visa category that matches your actual purpose (tourism, work, study, etc.)

•         Intended date of entry - give an approximate date

•         Planned length of stay - a realistic number of days, weeks, or months

•         U.S. address - hotel, friend, company headquarters; must be specific and verifiable

Step 5: Travel and Visa History

The form asks about trips to the United States within the last 5 years and about visas you have held or been denied. Provide information honestly - the data is verified through international border databases, and inconsistencies may result in a lifetime ban from entry.

Questions in this section include:

•         Have you ever been in the USA? (dates and lengths of stay)

•         Have you previously held a U.S. visa?

•         Has your visa ever been refused or revoked?

•         Have you applied for immigrant status or permanent residence?

Tip: If you previously had a U.S. visa that you used to travel to the United States, enter its number in this section. Omitting this information may raise concerns for the consular officer.

Step 6: Family and Contacts in the USA

In the Family section, provide the details of your spouse or partner (first name, last name, date of birth, citizenship). If your spouse is not traveling with you, provide their details anyway.

The US Contacts section asks about people or organizations in the United States with which you are connected. This may be:

•         Friend or family member in the USA - provide their name, address, and relationship to you

•         Travel agency or hotel - if you are traveling alone and do not know anyone

Note: If you have family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, you must list them. Omitting this information is one of the most common reasons for issues during the consular interview.

Step 7: Employment and Education

Provide your current place of employment: employer's name, address, position, start date, and monthly salary. If you are unemployed or retired, select the appropriate option.

The education section requires all completed higher-education institutions to be listed (name, address, field of study, dates). Primary and secondary schools are usually omitted.

You will also be asked about foreign languages you know and membership in organizations. List them all, including professional associations and sports clubs.

Tip: Include volunteer work, internships, and traineeships as experience too. The more complete the picture of your professional and social situation, the better for the application.

Step 8: Security Questions

This is one of the most extensive sections. The form asks several dozen security-related questions, including:

•         Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

•         Have you ever used drugs?

•         Have you served in the military or in paramilitary organizations?

•         Are you or have you ever been a member of a terrorist organization?

•         Have you committed or planned to commit violence or a sexual offense?

For the vast majority of people, the answer to all of these questions is NO. Answer truthfully - databases are international and interconnected.

Note: If you must answer YES to any question, do not submit the application without consulting a specialist. Work-Family can help assess your situation and advise on the best course of action.

Step 9: Photo and Application Finalization

The system requires an uploaded photo that meets strict requirements:

•         Format: JPEG, size: 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels

•         Background: white or light-colored, plain

•         Face forward, without glasses and without headwear (exception: religious reasons)

•         Photo taken within the last 6 months

After uploading the photo, the system will automatically check it using an algorithm. When everything is ready, click "Sign and Submit". Before clicking, read everything once more - after submission, you cannot edit the form.

Tip: After submitting, print the confirmation page with the barcode - bring it to your embassy interview. Without it, you will not be admitted to the consular interview.

Step 10: The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before submitting, check whether you have made any of these common mistakes:

Common mistake	How to avoid it
Unsaved application ID number	Save it immediately after creating the session
Polish characters in first/last name	Use transliteration: KOWALSKI
Mismatch with passport	Compare the data field by field with the document
Omitted previous U.S. trips	List all visits, even long ago
General U.S. address	Specific address: hotel, street, city, ZIP code
Incorrect photo	Check the requirements before taking and uploading the photo
No printed confirmation	Print the barcode page after submitting

Checklist Before Submitting DS-160

✓  Prepare your passport and, if applicable, previous passports with U.S. visas and stamps✓  Have a specific U.S. place of stay address ready (hotel or relative's address)✓  Prepare your employer's details and full employment history from the last 5 years✓  Take a professional photo that meets the visa requirements✓  Save your application ID number immediately after creating the session✓  Work-Family will help you through every stage - without stress and mistakes

Need help with the DS-160 form?

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