The DS160 is an online application for a nonimmigrant visa. This application must be filled out and submitted online for a nonimmigrant visa application that is submitted at a U.S. Consulate. The DS260 is an online application for immigrant visas that is completed when an applicant is applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate. It is also filled out and submitted online.
What information is requested in the DS160?
The DS160 asks for the following:
- Biographic information, address, phone, social media & passport information
- Information about your previous U.S. travel and future planned travel, where you will stay in the U.S., who is traveling with you & what type of visa you are applying for
- Information about past visa applications (immigrant and nonimmigrant), including any visa refusals or cancellations
- A U.S. contact person or organization
- Information about your family members
- Work, Education & Training Information
- Languages you speak & Countries you’ve visited in the last 5 years
- Security Questions
- Additionally, there may be other information requested depending on what type of visa you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for an E2 visa there will be an additional section that asks for information about the E2 company such as ownership, investment, financial information and what job you will have in the U.S.
What information is requested in the DS260?
The DS260 asks for the following:
- Biographic information, address, phone, social media & passport information
- All addresses you’ve lived at since the age of 16
- S. address
- Family information about your parents, spouse & children (including previous spouses)
- Previous U.S. travel & visa information including any visa refusals or cancellations
- Work, Education & Training Information
- Languages you speak & Countries you’ve visited in the last 5 years
- Security Questions
- Confirmation you have received all required vaccines
- Information about the petitioner for the immigrant visa
- Social Security Number questions
What if I made an error on the DS160 or DS260?
If you made an error on the DS160 form and you realize it right after you submit, you can just complete a new DS160 with the correct information and use the new DS160 number for your visa application. For the DS260, if the form has an error, you can contact either the National Visa Center, the Kentucky Consular Center or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, depending on where your application is being processed. For many minor mistakes, it is fine to just correct the issue at the interview. However, if there are any mistakes on important questions, such as any of the Security questions, you may be required to edit and re-submit the form. Different U.S. Consulates take different approaches to this, so it is always a good idea to contact the Consulate ahead of your interview to ask what they would prefer.
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