Fill DS-160 at ceac.state.gov/genniv. Key steps: Select embassy (India), upload photo (600x600 pixels, white background), complete personal/travel/work sections, review carefully, submit and note the confirmation number (starts with AA). Takes 60-90 minutes. Save frequently - application times out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
Before You Start
Documents to Keep Ready
- Valid passport
- Travel itinerary (dates, places)
- Employment details (company name, address, salary)
- Education history (schools, dates)
- Previous US travel history
- Digital photo (600x600 pixels)
Photo Requirements
- Size: 600x600 pixels (minimum 600x600 to 1200x1200)
- Background: White or off-white
- Recent: Within last 6 months
- No glasses
- Full face visible, ears visible
- File size: Under 240KB
- Format: JPEG
Step-by-Step DS-160 Guide
Step 1: Start Application
- Go to ceac.state.gov/genniv
- Click "Start an Application"
- Select interview location (e.g., "India, New Delhi")
- Read privacy statement, click "Confirm"
- Note your Application ID (save this!)
- Create security question for retrieval
Step 2: Personal Information 1
- Surname: Exactly as in passport
- Given Names: Exactly as in passport
- Full Name in Native Alphabet: Write in Hindi/regional language if applicable, or mark "Does Not Apply"
- Other Names: Include maiden name, previous names if any
- Sex: As in passport
- Marital Status: Current status
- Date of Birth: DD-MMM-YYYY format
- Place of Birth: City, State, Country
Step 3: Personal Information 2
- Nationality: INDIA
- National Identification Number: Enter Aadhaar or "Does Not Apply"
- US Social Security Number: Enter if you have one, otherwise "Does Not Apply"
- US Taxpayer ID: Usually "Does Not Apply"
Step 4: Address and Phone
- Home Address: Current residential address
- Mailing Address: Same or different if needed
- Phone Number: Primary and secondary
- Email: Active email you check regularly
Step 5: Passport Information
- Passport Type: Regular (for most applicants)
- Passport Number: Exactly as printed
- Passport Book Number: Check last page (if available) or "Does Not Apply"
- Country of Issuance: INDIA
- City of Issuance: As shown in passport
- Issue Date: DD-MMM-YYYY
- Expiry Date: DD-MMM-YYYY
- Lost/Stolen Passports: Declare if applicable
Step 6: Travel Information
- Purpose of Trip: B1/B2, F1, etc.
- Specific Travel Plans: Yes if you have dates, No if flexible
- Arrival Date: Planned arrival in US
- Departure Date: Planned departure from US
- US Point of Contact: Hotel or person you're visiting
- Who is Paying: Self/Company/Sponsor
Step 7: Travel Companions
- Indicate if traveling alone or with others
- If with group, provide names and relationships
- For family applications, note if others applied separately
Step 8: Previous US Travel
- Have you been to US before?: Yes/No
- Previous Visa: Enter details if yes
- Visa Refusals: Disclose all refusals honestly
- Overstays: Declare any overstays
Step 9: Work/Education/Training
- Primary Occupation: Select from dropdown
- Employer Name: Current company
- Employer Address: Office address
- Monthly Salary: In local currency (INR)
- Job Description: Brief description of role
- Previous Employment: List last employer if less than 5 years at current job
Step 10: Education
- List highest level of education
- Include institution name, city, country
- Course of study and dates
Step 11: Security Questions
Answer all security-related questions honestly. Most answers will be "No" for typical applicants. Answer "Yes" only if applicable and be prepared to explain at interview.
Step 12: Upload Photo
- Click "Upload Photo"
- Select your prepared photo file
- System will verify dimensions
- Confirm if photo meets requirements
Step 13: Review and Submit
- Review all sections carefully
- Check spellings, dates, numbers
- Make corrections if needed
- Click "Sign and Submit"
- Print confirmation page with barcode
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Name spelling not matching passport
- Wrong date formats
- Forgetting to save (times out after 20 mins)
- Photo not meeting specifications
- Incomplete employment history
- Not disclosing previous refusals
- Inconsistent information across sections
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DS-160 take to fill?
Plan for 60-90 minutes for first-time applicants. Save frequently as the form times out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
Can I edit DS-160 after submission?
No, you cannot edit after submission. If you need to make changes, you must fill a new DS-160 form.
What is the DS-160 confirmation number?
It's a unique 10-character code (starting with AA) that identifies your application. Required for scheduling interview.
Does DS-160 expire?
The confirmation is valid for 1 year from submission date. Schedule your interview within this period.