Worldwide Deployment of Form DS-160 for Nonimmigrant Visa Applications

News Release from Jewell & Associates, PC - February 23, 2010

As part of the Stare Department’s ongoing modernization of the visa application process, it is deploying the DS-160 fully web-based nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application form worldwide.  The DS-160 has been used at twenty-four U.S. consular posts so far, and will be expanded to complete global usage for all NIVs except K visas.  The expansion will take place in two phases, with many consular posts requiring the DS-160 as of March 1, 2010, and the remaining consular posts requiring the DS-160 no later than April 30, 2010.

The DS-160 form combines all information previously collected on the DS-156, 157, and 158 for appropriate applicants, and the DS-3052.  Applicants for "E" class treaty trader NIVs will complete the DS-160 and have to fill out a hard copy DS-156E until the DS-160E electronic form is fielded in the near future. Until further notice, K visa applicants should continue to use the DS-156 and DS-156K instead of the DS-160.

© Jewell & Associates, PC 2010