Fillable Form DS-260

What is Form DS-260?

Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, is an online form used by individuals applying for an immigrant visa to the United States. This form is a crucial part of the process for those seeking to permanently relocate to the U.S. It must be completed by applicants who have been selected for an immigrant visa, such as those participating in the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, or those applying through family- or employment-based sponsorship. The form is submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).

Completing the Form DS-260 is a vital step in the immigrant visa electronic application process, which facilitates the assessment of an applicant’s eligibility for immigration. After submitting the form, it will be reviewed by officials at the U.S. Department of State in conjunction with citizenship and immigration services to determine if the applicant meets the necessary criteria set forth in their immigrant visa petition. It is often advisable for applicants to consult with an immigration attorney to navigate any complexities that may arise during the application process. Additionally, applicants should be aware of their priority date, as this can impact the timeline for visa availability and their ability to move forward with the immigration process.

How do I fill out Form DS-260?

A fillable template for Form DS-260 can be found here. All parts of this form must be filled out, and revisions are not allowed after it is submitted, so make sure to double-check everything to minimize the risk of providing the wrong information.

If you need more space to enter more information, use an appropriately labeled sheet of paper and attach it to this form. If this is not possible, only enter the most recent information you can enter.

Personal Information

Enter the following information about yourself:

• Name
• Full Name in Native Language (if applicable)
• Other Names Used
• Sex
• Current Marital Status
• Date of Birth
• City of Birth
• State/Province of Birth
• Country/Region of Birth
• Country/Region of Origin (Nationality)

Documents

Enter the type and ID number of the document(s) that you provide alongside this form. Then enter the authority that issued each document.

Document Issue

Enter the date that the above document was issued, and its expiration date. If multiple documents were provided, enter the date that each was issued and its expiration date.

Nationality

If you have held any other nationality besides the one declared above, mark “Yes” and enter the other country or region of your nationality. Then, mark “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether or not you have a passport from said country or region - then enter the passport number if you marked “Yes”.

Present Address

Enter the following details about your current residential address:

• Street Address
• City
• State/Province
• Postal Zone/ZIP Code
• Country/Region
• From Date

Previous Address(es)

For each of the addresses you lived in previously, enter the following information:

• Street Address
• City
• State/Province
• Postal Zone/ZIP Code
• Country/Region
• Period of residence (from what date to what date)

Contact Details

Enter the following details about your contact information:

• Primary Phone Number
• Secondary Phone Number
• Work Phone Number
• Email Address

Mailing Address

If your mailing address is the same as your present address, mark “Yes”. Otherwise, mark “No” and enter the following information:

• Street Address
• City
• State/Province
• Postal Zone/ZIP Code
• Country/Region

US Address

If you have an address in the US that you intend to stay at, mark “Yes” and enter the following information:

• Name of person residing at address
• US Address
• Phone Number

Then indicate whether or not you wish to have your green card mailed to this address or not.

Contact Person

Enter the following details about your designated contact person:

• Name
• Street Address
• City
• State
• ZIP Code
• Phone Number

Family Information

For your mother and father, enter the following information:

• Surname(s)
• Given Name(s)
• Date of Birth
• City of Birth
• State/Province of Birth
• Country/Region of Birth
• Living? (Y/N)
  • Year of Death (if applicable)

Previous Spouse(s)

Enter the following information about your previous spouse(s):

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Marriage
• Date Marriage Ended
• How was your marriage terminated?
• Country/Region where marriage was terminated?

Children

Indicate whether or not you have children. If you do, enter the following information about each of your children:

• Number of Children
• Child’s Name
• Date of Birth
• City of Birth
• State of Birth
• Country/Region of Birth
• Does this child live with you? (Y/N)
  • Street Address
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/ZIP Code
  • Country/Region
• Is this child immigrating to the US with you? (Y/N)
• Is this child immigrating to the US at a later date to join you? (Y/N)

Previous US Travel Information

Answer the following questions and provide the asked-for information in the spaces provided:

• Have you ever been to the US?
• Were you issued an Alien Registration Number by the Department of Homeland Security?
  • If Yes, enter the Alien Registration Number issued to you.
• Information on your last five US visits
  • Date Arrived
  • Length of Stay
• Have you ever been issued a US Visa?
  • Date Visa Was Issued
  • Visa Classification
  • Visa Number

Questions

If you answer “Yes” to any of the below questions, provide an explanation in the space provided:

• Have any of your US Visas ever been lost or stolen?
• Have any of your US Visas ever been canceled or revoked?
• Have you ever refused a US Visa, been refused admission to the US, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry?

Work, Education, and Training Information

Enter the following information as requested about your work, education, and training:

• Primary Occupation
• Do you have any other occupations?
  • Other Occupations
• In which occupation do you intend to work in the US?
• Were you previously employed? (Enter the below information for the last five employers you’ve had)
  • Employer Name
  • Employer Street Address
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/ZIP Code
  • Country/Region
  • Telephone Number
  • Job Title
  • Supervisor’s Surname(s)
  • Supervisor’s Given Name(s)
  • Employment Date From
  • Employment Date To
• Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above?
  • Number of Educational Institutions Attended
  • Name of Institution
  • Address of Institution
  • City
  • State/Province
  • Postal Zone/ZIP Code
  • Country/Region
  • Course of Study
  • Degree or Diploma
  • Date of Attendance From
  • Date of Attendance To
• Have you ever served in the military?
  • Name of Country/Region
  • Branch
  • Rank/Position
  • Military Specialty
  • Date of Service From
  • Date of Service To

Petitioner Information

Enter the following information about your petitioner:

• Petitioner Relationship with you
• Petitioner Name
• Petitioner Address
• City
• State/Province
• Postal Zone/ZIP Code
• Country/Region
• Telephone
• Mobile/Cell Telephone
• Email Address

Security/Background Information

Honestly answer “Yes” or “No” to the questions in this section. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions here, enter an explanation in the space provided.

Social Security Number Information

Answer the questions below:

• Have you ever applied for a Social Security Number?
• Do you want the Social Security Administration to issue a Social Security Number and a card?
• Do you authorize disclosure of information from this form to the Department of Homeland Security and other US Government agencies as required for the purposes of assigning you a Social Security Number?

When you have completed all parts of this form, you will be sent to a summary information screen that provides a summary of the information you have entered on the form. Carefully review everything and ensure that it is correct before you proceed to submit this form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Form DS-260 be completed in languages other than English?

No, Form DS-260 must be completed in English. All responses must be entered using English characters and translations where necessary.

What happens if an error is made on Form DS-260?

Errors on Form DS-260 can lead to delays or denial of the visa. If an error is discovered after submission, the applicant should inform the consular officer during the visa interview.

What is the confirmation page in Form DS-260?

The confirmation page is generated after submitting the form and must be printed and brought to the visa interview. It contains a barcode that allows U.S. officials to access the applicant’s information.

Is it possible to save progress on Form DS-260 and complete it later?

Yes, the form allows applicants to save their progress and return later to complete it. However, it must be fully completed and submitted before the visa interview.

What role does Form DS-260 play in the visa interview?

The information provided in Form DS-260 is reviewed by a consular officer during the immigrant visa interview to determine the applicant’s eligibility for an immigrant visa. The officer may ask questions based on the answers in the form.

How long does it take to complete Form DS-260?

The time required to complete the form varies depending on the complexity of the applicant's background, but it typically takes a few hours. Gathering the required information beforehand can help streamline the process.

What should be done after submitting Form DS-260?

After submission, applicants should print the confirmation page, gather supporting documents, and prepare for the visa interview at the designated U.S. embassy or consulate.

Can Form DS-260 be edited after submission?

Once submitted, the form cannot be edited online. If changes are necessary, they must be addressed during the visa interview or by contacting the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate.

What happens if Form DS-260 is not submitted before the visa interview?

If the form is not submitted, the visa interview may be delayed or canceled, and the visa application process could be significantly hindered.

Is there a fee for submitting Form DS-260?

There is no separate fee for submitting Form DS-260, but applicants must pay associated visa processing fees as part of their overall application.

How do applicants access Form DS-260?

Applicants access Form DS-260 through the CEAC website using their case number and invoice ID number provided by the National Visa Center (NVC).

What is the relationship between Form DS-260 and the Diversity Visa lottery?

Winners of the Diversity Visa lottery must complete Form DS-260 to formally apply for their immigrant visa. The form gathers the necessary details to proceed with their application.

Can an attorney assist in completing Form DS-260?

Yes, an attorney can assist in completing the form, ensuring that all information is accurate and properly presented, which can help avoid delays or issues.

What is the purpose of the affidavit of support section in Form DS-260?

The affidavit of support section asks for information about the financial sponsor who will support the applicant in the U.S. This is required to ensure the applicant will not become a public charge.

How are criminal records handled in Form DS-260?

Applicants must disclose any criminal history on the form. Failure to do so can result in visa denial, but full disclosure allows the consular officer to evaluate the situation accurately.

Does Form DS-260 require information about previous U.S. visa applications?

Yes, applicants must provide details about any previous U.S. visa applications, including the type of visa and whether it was granted or denied.

What documents should be prepared before completing Form DS-260?

Applicants should have their passport, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any prior immigration documents ready to accurately fill out the form.

Is there a deadline for submitting Form DS-260?The form should be submitted well before the scheduled visa interview. The exact deadline depends on the instructions provided by the National Visa Center or the U.S. embassy.

Can Form DS-260 be submitted without all family members listed?

No, all eligible family members who are applying for visas must be listed on the form, even if they are not traveling with the primary applicant immediately.

What should an applicant do if they lose the Form DS-260 confirmation page?

The applicant can log back into the CEAC system to reprint the confirmation page before their visa interview.

Are medical examinations required when completing Form DS-260?

Yes, applicants must schedule and complete a medical examination by a U.S. embassy-approved physician before the visa interview, but this step is typically done after submitting Form DS-260.

How is Form DS-260 linked to the applicant’s case number?

The form is tied to the applicant's unique case number, which is used to track the application throughout the visa process.

What happens if conflicting information is found between Form DS-260 and the visa interview?

If there is conflicting information, the consular officer may request additional documentation or clarification, which could delay the visa decision.

Why is it important to list all places of residence in Form DS-260?

Listing all places of residence helps U.S. authorities verify the applicant’s background and assess their eligibility for an immigrant visa.

Does Form DS-260 require information on the applicant’s social media use?

Yes, the form may ask for details about the applicant’s social media accounts used in the last five years, which is part of the background check process.