VISA GUIDE
DS-160
Applying, scheduling, and interviewing for a US nonimmigrant visa
Every US nonimmigrant visa application starts with Form DS-160, followed by fee payment, interview scheduling, and — for most applicants — an in-person consular interview. This guide covers the process end to end.
The mechanics of DS-160, appointment scheduling, and the interview itself are shared across visa categories (F1, H1B, B1/B2, and more), which is why these questions are grouped separately from any single visa type.
THE PROCESS
STEP BY STEP TIMELINE
Complete Form DS-160 online
Takes about 90 minutes; save your application ID to retrieve it later.
Pay the MRV visa fee
Fee amount depends on visa category.
Schedule your interview via the consulate's scheduling site
Wait times vary widely by location and season.
Attend the interview and await a decision
Some cases go into administrative processing (Section 221(g)).
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
DOCUMENTS
Passport
DS-160 confirmation page
Photo meeting spec
Visa-category-specific documents (I-20, I-129 approval, etc.)
DS-160 completion is same-day; interview wait times range from days to several months depending on consulate and season.
FAQ
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ACTUALLY ASK
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