January 19, 2010
The State Department plans to deploy the DS-160 fully web-based nonimmigrant visa application worldwide at ALL of its consular posts by April 30, 2010. The DS-160 is currently already in use at 24 Consular posts, and replaces the Electronic Visa Application Form (DS-156, 157 and 158). All nonimmigrant visa applicants (i.e., H, L, O, TN, F, J, etc.), except those individuals seeking K visas, will be required to complete the online form when scheduling their nonimmigrant visa application interview.
Worldwide DS-160 deployment will take place in two stages. First phase posts will be required to adopt the DS-160 by March 1, 2010. These posts are listed at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_4601.html. All remaining posts will be required to adopt the DS-160 by April 30, 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions about the form and a sample of what the new form looks like can be found at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html. A list of the Consular Posts currently using (i.e., where the form is mandatory already) the DS-160 can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_4230.html.
