How to fill out DS-160 - FAQ

DS-160 FAQ

• I’ve got my I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee, now how do I schedule an appointment?
  • Although visa processing varies from embassy to embassy (or consulate to consulate) there are three main steps to follow:
    • 1. Complete the DS-160 Application Form
    • 2. Pay the nonimmigrant visa fee and book your appointment online. 
    • 3. Attend the in-person visa stamp appointment at the embassy or consulate you have selected.
• While completing the DS-160, I had to step away for a call and lost all the information I entered!
  • Yes, be sure to save the application periodically as the system will time out after 20 minutes and you will lose unsaved information.
• My husband is accompanying me to Stanford, do I have to complete a separate DS-160 for him?
  • Yes. For each dependent, you will need to complete the DS-160 application. The estimated time for each application is 90 minutes.
• I save my application as I was working on it but now, I cannot retrieve it again.
  • When retrieving a saved application, enter the first five letters of your last name. 
• I am French and my name has an accent. How do I enter my name on the DS-160?
  • You will need to use the English alphabet and cannot use accents from your home country language, in your case French. If, for example, your name in French is spelled with an accent over the “e”, write it without the accent in the DS-160.
• One question on the DS-160 asks whether I have made specific travel plans and what date I intend to arrive. How should I answer?
  • Answer “no” to the specific travel plans and enter the start date of your I-20 (or DS-2019) for your arrival date?
• What do I say for my intended length of stay?
  • Enter the end date on your I-20 (or DS-2019).
• I don’t yet know the address where I will be living at Stanford. – what should I enter for that question? 
  • For the street address, enter “not yet known”, but for the city and state, enter “Stanford, California”
• I don’t know anyone in the U.S. and yet the DS-160 is asking for a “U.S. Point of Contact”
  • Please enter:
    • Elsa Gontrum
    • Stanford University School Official 
    • 584 Capistrano Way
    • Stanford, CA 94305 
    • egontrum@stanford.edu 
  • Under the SEVIS Information on the Ds-160 it asks about “Course of Study”. I’m an undergrad and haven’t decided what I want to study. How should I answer?
    • Answer “General Studies” as this will be the course of study listed on all incoming undergraduate I-20s.
  • I submitted my DS-160 application and I see a confirmation page on my screen with a barcode. What should I do?
    • Print this confirmation with the barcode as you will need to bring this with you to your embassy or consular appointment.
  • I submitted my Ds-160, now how I do make my visa appointment?
    • Find a consulate or embassy near you: https://www.usembassy.gov/ Look for information on the embassy’s/consulate’s website for “nonimmigrant visas” as opposed to immigrant visas. As instructions vary depending on the embassy or consulate, read the website you selected carefully. Make your appointment and pay your visa application fee. 

For comprehensive guidance, please refer to the DS-160 instructions.

For additional information on filling out the DS-160, please consult the DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions page