DS-160 form: how to fill it without mistakes

The DS-160 is the core US visa application, and a handful of fields decide whether you sail through or get turned away at the window.

Name and passport

Enter your name in Latin exactly as in your passport MRZ (the bottom lines). One extra letter and the form ‘doesn’t match’. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your trip.

Purpose of trip

Be specific and consistent. ‘Tourism, two weeks’ is clean. ‘To look around, maybe stay’ is a refusal. Whatever you write, say the same thing at the interview.

Social media — 5 years

You must list all accounts from the last 5 years, including deleted ones. Concealment is misrepresentation (§212(a)(6)(C)) — a lifetime ban. Don’t risk it.

Where to apply

The form asks for the consulate. Pick by current wait times — see our local guides.

How to avoid errors

Intel.Viza fills the DS-160 in a secure cloud browser with a hint on every field — why each answer, for your profile. Start with the free test.