The DS-160 is the gatekeeper of every nonimmigrant visa interview. Officers read it before you arrive, use it to structure the interview, and flag discrepancies between it and what you say. Here's the complete guide to every section.
All 10 Sections at a Glance
Section 1
Personal Information
- Full name — exactly as shown in your passport MRZ
- Aliases — every name you've ever used
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality — current and any secondary nationalities
- National ID number (if applicable)
Section 2
Address and Phone
- Current home address — physical address only, no P.O. boxes
- Mailing address — same as home or different
- Primary and alternate phone numbers with country codes
- Email address — personal, not work email
Section 3
Passport Information
- Passport number — copied from the bio page, verified twice
- Passport book number (if present)
- Issuing country, issue date, expiry date
- Passport expiry must be valid beyond your intended stay
Section 4
Travel Information
- Purpose of trip — be specific, not generic
- Proposed dates of travel
- Whether travel arrangements are made
- Social media accounts used in last 5 years
Section 5
Travel Companions
- Names of any people traveling with you on the same visa
- Relation to you
Section 6
Previous US Travel
- Prior US entries — visa type used, dates
- Previous visa denials
- Overstays or immigration violations
- 7-year address and employment history in the US (if applicable)
Section 7
US Contact Information
- Who you are visiting or staying with
- Hotel address if not visiting someone
- Contact's name, address, phone, email
Section 8
Family Information
- Father's full name, date of birth, city/country of birth
- Mother's full name, date of birth, city/country of birth
- Spouse information if applicable
- Children information if applicable
Section 9
Work/Education History
- Current occupation and employer
- 5-year employment history — no gaps over 30 days
- Self-employment, part-time work, and gig work all included
- Full-time education periods entered if not employed
Section 10
Security and Background
- Criminal history — arrests, charges, convictions, even if dismissed
- Immigration violations — overstays, deportations, denials
- Medical grounds, national security questions
- Special categories for researchers and scientists
Common Questions About the Full DS-160
What's the single biggest mistake applicants make on the DS-160?
Entering the wrong passport number — transposition errors where two digits are swapped. This prevents the embassy from matching your interview to your application. Always copy from the physical passport page, not from memory. Read it back digit by digit.
Is the DS-160 hard to complete without a lawyer?
No — most applicants complete it without legal help. The form is straightforward if you have all your documents ready. The sections that most benefit from review are: security questions (if you have a complex history), travel purpose language, and social media disclosure. For straightforward cases, no lawyer is needed.
How do I know if my DS-160 was accepted?
You will see a confirmation screen with a barcode. You will also receive an email confirmation from the State Department. The confirmation page has two pages: your answers summary and the barcode page. You need the barcode page for the interview. Keep two printed copies.
DS-160 Master Checklist
- All 10 sections complete with no blanks
- Passport number verified twice against physical passport
- All social media accounts listed (20 platforms, last 5 years)
- 5-year employment history — no gaps over 30 days
- 5-year travel history — every country with a passport stamp
- Photo uploaded or printed copy ready for interview
- Application ID saved in 3 places
- Security question answer saved
- Confirmation page printed in 2 copies