Embassy of the United States

Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 As of March 1, all applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas in Germany will be required to complete and submit the electronic application form DS-160. The form is available via a link on our website at www.usembassy.de/visa/ (English version) and www.us-botschaft.de/visa/ (German version).

Nonimmigrant visas (NIV) are required for international travelers coming to the United States temporarily except those traveling on the Visa Waiver Program. Visitors who require visas come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism and business for longer than three months, study, journalism, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work.

For information about the different nonimmigrant visas, please visit: http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/ English version) and http://german.germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/ (German version).

For information about the Visa Waiver Program, see: http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/vwp/ (English version) and http://german.germany.usembassy.gov/visa/vwp/ (German version). Why is the U.S. visa application form changing? The U.S. Government is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process. This form takes the place of three current application forms, the DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158, limiting the environmental impact as we move towards a paperless application process.

How does it work?

All nonimmigrant visa applicants, regardless of the visa type for which they apply, will be required to fill out this form online before scheduling a visa interview appointment. After completing the new DS-160, including uploading an application photo, the applicant will electronically submit the application and be provided with a single confirmation page to print. Applicants must bring this page to the interview along with their fee receipt, passport, a photograph that meets the photo requirements listed on our website, and any additional required documents like a DS-2019 or I-20. All questions on the form DS-160 must be answered completely, accurately, and in English. Otherwise, we will not be able to process the visa application on the day of the interview and a new interview appointment may be required. The form has been translated into German, and the translation can be viewed by placing the cursor over the relevant text in the form. Since the application form cannot be saved online, applicants are strongly encouraged to save the form to their computer regularly, since they may need to return to it later.

Does scheduling an interview work the same?

Completing the DS-160 does not automatically schedule an appointment. The current process for scheduling a personal interview remains the same and requires one of two methods:

• Making an appointment online at www.usvisa-germany.com. A $10 scheduling fee applies.
• Calling the visa information & appointment service at 0900-1–85 00 55 (€ 1.86/ min).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITORS:

The DS-160 online form requires “J” (exchange visitor), “F” (academic student), and “M” (vocational student) applicants to enter their SEVIS number and school information. Sponsoring organizations should provide students information about SEVIS numbers and payment.