Nonimmigrant U.S.

Visa Application
Process

Step 1: Know your visa type

There are many types of nonimmigrant visas for traveling to the U.S. The purpose of your travel and other factors
will determine which visa is the most appropriate. As a visa applicant, you must establish that you meet all
requirements to receive the type of visa for which you apply for, and then a consular officer will determine whether
you are qualified for that visa type.

Common nonimmigrant visas include:

• Business visitor (B-1)

• Student/exchange visitor (F, J, M, Q)
• Specialty occupation professional (H-1B)
• Intracompany transferee (L-1)
• Extraordinary ability (O-1)

Step 2: Complete Form DS-160 - Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Form DS-160, the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the U.S., and for K
(fiancé(e)) visas. DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State via the internet. Consular Officers
use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and an in-person interview (for most
cases) to determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Note about families (or groups): each visa applicant including children must have their own DS-160. However,
you may create a family application if traveling with family (or create a group application if traveling with a group).
When you select “Email Confirmation” on your Confirmation Page, you will be directed to a “Thank You” page.
On the “Thank You” page you will see an option to create a family or group application. When you select this
option, certain information from your application such as destination, will automatically be imported to and
displayed on the other applications. Again, if you use this option, you must create an application for each family
member (or for each individual within the group).

Documents required to complete your DS-160:

• Passport
• Travel itinerary if you have made travel arrangements
• Dates of your last five visits to the U.S., if you have previously traveled to the U.S. (you may also be
asked for your international travel history for the past five years)
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (you may be required to provide information about your education and work
history)

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
Some applicants also need the following information and documents while completing the DS-160:

• Petition-based temporary workers (H-1B, H-2, H-3, CW1, L, O, P, R, E2C): You will need the USCIS
petition approval notice
• Other Temporary Workers: You will be asked for information about your employer, including the
employer’s address

Getting Started

1. Access Form DS-160 by going to the Consular Electronic Application Center

2. Select the location where you plan to apply for Visa
3. Enter the Captcha code that you see
4. Click on “START AN APPLICATION”

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
Sections to complete as you fill the Form DS-160

1. Personal
2. Travel
3. Travel Companions
4. Previous U.S. Travel
5. Address and Phone
6. Passport
7. U.S. Contact
8. Family
9. Work/Education/Training
10. Security and Background
11. Temporary Work Visa
12. Review
13. Sign and Submit
14. Confirmation

As you complete your DS-160, you will click the “Next” button at the bottom of each page you complete, which
will save the progress you made to the Consular Electronic Application Center website. If you are unable to
complete your DS-160 and need to return at a later time to complete it or make changes, you will be able to log
back in and choose the “RETRIEVE AN APPLICATION” option.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
To retrieve an application, you will need your Application ID (identification) number, a unique number issued to
you when you first began your DS-160. Application ID numbers begin with AA followed by 8 alphanumeric
characters. You will also need this information later to schedule your visa appointment.

You are limited to 30 days to return to a partially completed application. Should you need to access your
application after 30 days, you must save it to your computer hard drive.

Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. This is required for your U.S. visa interview. You will not need to
print the full application.

For additional information in completing the form, please refer to ILG’s Form DS-160 Questions and Answers
(attached).

Step 3: Pay the visa application processing fee, register, and create a profile at
[Link] and choose the Schedule Appointment option.

Visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee,
sometimes referred to as the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. You
may check the Department of State website for current fees for all visa types.

Also, payment options vary between different U.S. consulates, so you need to check the website of the U.S.
Consulate you will be applying at: [Link]

On the payment confirmation screen, you will be presented with payment options and further details on how to
initiate payment. It can take up to 2 business days from time of payment for your receipt to be activated. You will
need the Receipt Number to schedule your appointment.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
Below are the steps to Login or Register/Create a Profile and Schedule Visa Interview Appointment.

New Application/Schedule Appointment

 Select whether you are applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa or an Immigrant Visa.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
  Select Your Country or State of Residence.
 Choose Language of Interview.
 Select a visa category that applies to you.

 Make sure all personal information is correct before continuing, including:

o Passport details
o DS-160 Application ID number
o Contact information
o Mailing address
o Petitioner information
 Click “Add by Name” or "Add Existing Applicant" if you have a group/family member (including a
child) who needs to apply for a visa with you.
3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134
Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
  Answer questions to determine eligibility for an interview waiver
o Each visa applicant, whether an individual, a dependent family member, or as part of a
group, must independently meet the criteria to qualify for an interview waiver. If any
individual, a dependent family member or a group member, is not eligible under the
renewal criteria, it is advisable to remove the individual from the family or group before
proceeding to schedule the appointment.
 Specify Documentation Delivery
 Payment
 Read Important Note on Visa Fees

Step 4. Schedule your Biometrics and Visa Interview Appointments

Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.
Visit the official list of Embassies at [Link] For additional information, please visit
[Link]

The Embassy or Consulate information may include specific local instructions about scheduling interviews,
submitting your visa application, and other frequently asked questions. Be sure to review all information on the
specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions as the procedure may
vary from country to country.

After making your payment, you can finalize your biometrics appointment to capture your fingerprints and photo,
and your visa interview appointment.

Biometrics

U.S. Consulates typically collect all biometric information at a separate appointment a few days before the
visa interview. The exact procedure varies between different Embassies and Consulates so you will need to
check the Embassy/Consulate where you plan to apply.

Step 5: Attend Your Biometrics and Visa Interview

Bring your Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) confirmation page, which contains your Application
ID number so the embassy can retrieve your application and carry all the relevant documents for your application.
Review the embassy or consulate instructions where you will apply for additional information including security
restrictions.

You will be interviewed by a U.S. Consular Officer who will ask questions related to your visa application.

Step 6: Check U.S. Visa Status Online

After completing your visa interview, you can check the status of your application on the U.S. State Department
CEAC website at [Link]

Step 7. Pick up your passport with U.S. visa

Processing time varies. Check with the embassy or consulate you apply with for specifics on when and how you
will receive your passport and visa.

Alternatively, if you chose mail delivery option, your passport containing your new U.S. visa will be delivered to
the mailing address on your application.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
Additional Information

Making changes to your DS-160 by choosing the “RETRIEVE AN APPLICATION” option

• Should you need to make changes, you will need to access your DS-160 by going to the Consular
Electronic Application Center again, entering the location where you will be applying for the visa, entering
the Captcha code and clicking “RETRIEVE AN APPLICATION.” Then, enter your application number and
answer the security question.
• Note that you will not be able to retrieve and modify information on the DS-160 application once it is
submitted electronically. If you wish to correct and/or update the information, you can select ''Retrieve an
Application" at Consular Electronic Application Center, enter your previous visa application ID, answer
the security questions, and then select ''Create a New Application''. Your personal information will then
populate into the new application. In the new application, update the details and proceed.

• Once your application has been retrieved, you may make the necessary changes, review everything, and
electronically sign and submit the application. You will be given a new confirmation page with a new bar
code and application ID. You need to print it and bring to your interview.
• If you have already scheduled your interview and paid the visa application fee, you need to log into your
visa appointment account, click “Update profile” and add the new DS-160 confirmation number on your
appointment. Take the updated DS-160 confirmation page and new appointment confirmation page to
your visa appointment.
• Bring both confirmation pages, new (corrected) and the original (incorrect) DS-160 to your interview.

Making changes to your DS-160 After 30 days

• The Consular Electronic Application Center saves your DS-160 for 30-days. Should you need to access
your application after 30 days, you must save it to your computer hard drive. To save your application to
your hard drive, select the “Save Application to File” button. Then, click the “Save” button on the File
Download window. Identify a place on your computer to save the application, browse to that location, and
click the “Save” button on the “Save As” window. The system will download your application to the
specified location. Once the download is complete, you can click “Close” to return to the live application.
• To make changes, go back to the Consular Electronic Application Center, enter the location where you
will be applying for the visa, and click "UPLOAD AN APPLICATION." Next, choose the location of your
saved file, and click the Upload data button.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
 • Answer the security questions to access your form. Make the necessary changes, review everything,
then electronically sign and submit the application. You will be given a new confirmation page with a new
bar code and application ID. You need to print it and bring to your interview.
• If you have already scheduled your interview and paid the visa application fee, remember to log into your
visa appointment account, click “Update profile” and add the new DS-160 confirmation number on your
appointment. Take the updated DS-160 confirmation page and new appointment confirmation page to
your visa appointment.
• Bring both confirmation pages, new (corrected) and the original (incorrect) DS-160 to your interview.

Transferring your application to a different Embassy/Consulate

• DS-160 applications and payment processing usually differ between U.S. Embassies/Consulates. If the
country you are applying at has several U.S. Consulate offices, you may be allowed to attend the visa
interview at another location.
• The Embassy or Consulate you ultimately apply at should be able to access your form using the barcode
on your DS-160 confirmation page, which you must bring to the visa interview. However, you may not be
able to transfer previously submitted form DS-160 to an Embassy/Consulate in a different country. You
will be required to submit a new form DS-160 and pay the visa processing fee for the new location.

Restrictions to Changing Appointments

• Applicants are limited in the number of times they can reschedule their appointments and the number
varies by country. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay another visa application
fee.

Restrictions to Logging in to CGI

• You can log in to your CGI federal account up to 3 times a day. Exceeding the maximum login attempts
may be deemed suspicious activity and could lock your account for 72 hours. U.S. travel docs customer
service cannot unlock your account. The only way is to wait 72 hours.

Interview Waiver Eligibility

• Previous U.S. visa holders may qualify for an interview waiver (i.e., apply without appearing at the U.S.
Embassy/Consulate for an interview).
• Consular resources and restrictions vary widely. Please check the website of the relevant U.S. embassy
or consulate you plan to apply at to confirm the guidelines for applying without an interview.
• Qualifying for the interview waiver does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, you may still be
asked to appear for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. If you are called for an interview,
you must appear at the post at which you submitted your application. As such, it is advisable to submit
your application well in advance of your travel to allow for the possibility that a visa interview will be
necessary.

Expedited Appointment

• U.S. Embassy Consular section considers expedited nonimmigrant visa appointment requests only in
cases of emergency.
• If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an
expedited appointment depending on availability at the Embassy or Consulate. It is important to ensure
you meet the criteria because applicants are only allowed to create two expedited appointment requests.
• Below are the criteria for expedite requests:
 Medical Needs
 Funeral/Death
 Urgent Business Travel
3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134
Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]
  Students or Exchange Visitors
 ESTA refusal
• Before you apply for an expedited appointment, you must ensure that you have documentary evidence
to prove the urgency. If it appears during your visa interview that you misrepresented the reasons for
urgent travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your
visa application.
• Any applicant requesting an expedited appointment is required to first pay the visa fees and schedule a
regular visa appointment for the soonest available appointment.
 Sign into your account. Click “Continue,” select “Request Expedite,” and follow the instructions.
 In the request, include the date and purpose of travel.
 Provide documentary evidence.
 Wait for a response from the Embassy or Consulate, which will arrive via email.

3590 N 1st Street, Suite 310, San Jose, CA 95134

Tel 408.432.9200 Fax 408.432.9191 Web [Link]