US Embassy Announces New Online Visa Application Form Requirement Effective May 24, 2010

New DS-160 Online Visa Application Form Requirement Effective May 24, 2010


Effective May 24, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants will be REQUIRED to complete and submit an online visa application form known as the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. The DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application will replace the current nonimmigrant visa paper application, Forms DS-156/157/158, and other related paper forms.

With demand for U.S. visas continuing to increase worldwide, the U.S. State Department is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process. The web-based nonimmigrant visa application uses new technologies and replaces existing forms to better serve our visa applicants.

For visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled before May 24, 2010, the DS-156/157/158 and related paper forms will continue to be accepted. Visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled on May 24, 2010, or after MUST complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. As DS-157 forms will no longer be accepted after this date, the MRV fee payment slip (blue paper) from the bank must be attached to the DS-160 confirmation page when an applicant appears for a visa interview. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic Application Center website or from the link on the U.S. Embassy website in Manila.

In order to avoid delays in processing visa applications, visa applicants or their representatives must ensure that the following information is correctly provided:

Applicant’s complete name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))

Applicant’s passport information (the passport used in filling out the form must be the same passport presented on the day of interview)

Other Name(s) (for married female applicants, type your complete maiden name)

Purpose of Trip to the U.S. (if the answer falls under “Other,” it is a requirement to specify the purpose of travel in the blank provided)

Primary Occupation (if the answer falls under “Other,” it is a requirement to specify the occupation in the blank provided)

Contact Person and Contact Address in the United States

Father’s Complete Name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))

Mother’s Complete Maiden Name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))