DS-260 is an electronic application form that is required to be completed by individuals who are seeking an immigrant visa to enter the United States. The form is also known as the Online Immigrant Visa Application and Registration.
Here are some FAQs related to the DS-260 application:
Who needs to fill out the DS-260 form?
All individuals who are applying for an immigrant visa must fill out the DS-260 form. This includes family-based, employment-based, and diversity visa applicants.
How can I access the DS-260 form?
You can access the DS-260 from the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website, by going to Immigrant Visas.state.gov and clicking on “Submit Visa Application and Civil Documents,” or on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply. You may wish to preview a sample DS-260 (14.6MB) before beginning.
How long does it take to fill out the DS-260 form?
The amount of time it takes to complete the DS-260 form will depend on your individual circumstances. However, on average it takes approximately 60 minutes to complete the form.
What information do I need to complete the DS-260 form?
You will need to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, and contact information. Additionally, you will need to provide information about your family, education, work history, and any criminal history.
What documents do I need to submit with the DS-260 form?
Immigrant Visa applicants must have:
- Internet access
- Your NVC Case Number (refer to the message you received from NVC)
- Your Invoice I.D. number (refer to the message you received from NVC)
Diversity Visa applicants must have:
- Internet access
- Your diversity visa case number (refer to your selection notification on the https://dvprogram.state.gov/)
- The principal applicant’s date of birth
Can I answer in my native language?
- No. All answers, except as specially provided, must be in English, using English characters only. Applications submitted in any language other than English may be rejected, and you will be required to log back into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and provide English answers.
Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?
Most fields on the DS-260 are mandatory. You may leave fields marked “Optional” blank. Some fields may also give you the option to select “Does Not Apply.” If a field does not apply to you, you may mark the box next to “Does Not Apply.”
All other fields must be completed: the application will not allow you to submit a form with any mandatory fields left blank. In this instance, an error message will be displayed and you will be required to complete the field before continuing with the application.
If you do not answer questions that apply, your form may be rejected.
How do I access a previously saved DS-260?
You can access your saved application by returning to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website and selecting View/Edit from the IV and Alien Registration section of the Immigrant Visa – Summary Information screen.
You will then be provided with a list of all applicants in your case along with the status of each application (NOT STARTED, INCOMPLETE, or SUBMITTED). To continue updating an incomplete application, simply click on the “Edit” button to the right of the application’s status.
Once you submit your application, by clicking the “Sign and Submit Application” button on the “Sign and Submit” page, you will be unable to access your application again without the assistance of NVC for immigrant visas, KCC for Diversity Visas, or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at which you plan to apply.
What happens if I need to step away in the middle of data entry?
You may save your partially completed DS-260 at any time by clicking on the “Save” button at the bottom of every page. If you need to step away, simply click the “Save” button to save your progress, and click on “Sign Out” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
All data that you entered up to the point of clicking on “Save” will be stored until you are ready to continue completing the form.
To ensure your privacy if you step away in the middle of data entry, the DS-260 has a “time out” feature. If your DS-260 application is idle for approximately 20 minutes, CEAC will log you off.
All data that you entered up to the last time you clicked “Save” will be stored until you are ready to continue completing the form. Any data that you entered after clicking “Save” will be lost.
Do I bring my DS-260 application with me to the interview?
You should not bring your application with you to your interview. The interviewing officer will have full access to review your application online.
Here are the steps to submit the DS-260 form:
- Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website and log in with your unique case number.
- Select the “IV Application” tab and click on the “DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application” link.
- Complete the form with accurate and truthful information.
- Upload any supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Review and confirm all information before submitting the form.
- Pay the required fees, if applicable.
- Print a copy of the confirmation page and keep it for your records.
It is important to note that the DS-260 form must be submitted online and cannot be submitted by mail or email. Additionally, incomplete or inaccurate information may result in delays or denial of your visa application.
