The DS-160, officially known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is essential for securing temporary U.S. visas, such as the B-1/B-2 travel visa. Since this form is submitted through an online portal, it may not be immediately clear how to amend your responses once submitted. Especially important to note is that changes after submission involve certain procedures and potential fees.
Revising Your DS-160 Post-Appointment Scheduling
Yes, you can update your DS-160 form after you have submitted it and scheduled an appointment. However, this will require you to submit a completely new form and obtain a new barcode, necessitating the payment of any applicable fees and the scheduling of a new appointment.
Should you discover errors or omissions in your application, there's no need to worry. You have a couple of options to correct or update your DS-160 after your initial submission and appointment booking. These adjustments ensure that your application reflects accurate and complete information before your visa interview.
DS-160 Update Requirements for Visa Interviews
If you used your original DS-160 form to schedule your visa appointment, you need to bring confirmation pages for both the original and the newly submitted DS-160 forms to your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate. Each form submission creates a unique barcode, which consular officers use to access and review your application during the interview process.
Option A: Update Your Application Online
To update your DS-160 form, you can retrieve and modify your previous submission easily by following these steps:
- Log into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and choose "Retrieve an Application" using your application ID. If you don't recall your ID, you can recover it by answering security questions on the website of Consular Electronic Application Center.
- Click on "Create a New Application." Your previous details should auto-fill, allowing you to review and adjust any information.
- Make the necessary edits and submit the updated form. This generates a new confirmation page, which you must save and present at your visa interview.
Option B: Edit Using a DAT File
If you have a DAT file saved from your original DS-160 form, you can revise your application at any time:
- Go to the "Getting Started" page and select "Upload a Previously Saved Application."
- Update the form as needed, then save and submit it to generate a new confirmation page, which will be required at your visa interview.
Whether updating online or via a saved DAT file, it's crucial to keep the new confirmation page for your visa interview.