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Step 3: Complete the Application Forms.
 

Visa Class Information
Please clarify which visa category is the correct one for your proposed travel. This information is required to complete the DS-160 Application Form. Some categories, such as temporary workers and foreign media (H1B, L, P, O, and I visas), are actually a subcategory of the choice “other” in the drop-down menu. Please read about the different visa categories to learn exactly how to select your specific visa category on the DS-160. Note: If you select the wrong visa class, you may be required to fill out a new application form.

• Which visa class is correct?

All Visa Applicants

ALL visa applicants are required to fill in the:

How to Save:

  1. Click on the “Save” button
    • This will temporarily save your data to your computer. As soon as your application session is over or your browser closes, your data will be lost.
  2. Click on the “Save Application to File” button.
    • This will save your application data to your computer in a “.dat” file.
    • This data cannot be opened by any other application other than the online DS-160 Application Form and may be displayed by some computers as having an error.
    • To open this data, choose the option “Upload a Previous Application” at the beginning of the application form and choose your saved “.dat” file.
    • To verify this data is yours, you will be asked to submit your last name and year of birth to complete the upload.

 

DS-160 Instructions:
  1. Choose the location where you will be making your visa appointment, Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich, and then click “Start a New Application” or “Upload a Previous Application.”
  2. Complete the Personal Data
  3. Under the “Travel Information” section, you have to choose your “purpose of trip to U.S.” This will be your visa class (some visa classes are found under “other” , e.g. H, L, O and I visas)
    • View the visa categories to find out which category you should submit here
    • Visa classes are listed in a general manner: H1 would be H, O1 would be O, etc.
  4. Complete the rest of the application, at the end you will be asked to upload a photo.
  5. Upload a Photo (This is required; if you do not upload a photo you will not be able to continue and submit your application!)
  6. After confirming your photo, you are given an opportunity to review your application.
    • You do not need to print this information!
  7. Next digitally sign your application with your passport number and the code displayed on the screen and submit your application.
  8. Your confirmation screen will now be displayed, please click on the “Print Confirmation” button to print your confirmation sheet with your personal barcode on it.
    • Please print in “portrait” format
    • This is the only DS-160 application sheet that you need to print and bring with you for your appointment!
    • Print ONLY the confirmation sheet.
  9. Your Application has now been electronically transmitted.

More Information:
• Detailed DS-160 Information
• DS-160 FAQs

All E Treaty Trader/Investor Visa Applicants

Form DS-156-E (Treaty Trader/Investor Visa Application)
   • In English

Learn more about the E-Visa Application Process

Visitor Information

  • no cell phones allowed inside

    Forbidden Items and
    Entry Regulations     (pdf 176kb)

    • NO cell phones
    • NO USB Sticks
    • NO portable game devices
    • More restricted items (pdf 176kb)

    If you fail to follow these security requirements you may face delays or cancellations to your visit.

    Items can not be deposited at the U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate

 

DS-160 - UPDATE

The Department of State deployed an updated version of the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application on Saturday, June 25, with additional questions and improved translations in some languages.  We understand some individuals are having difficulty retrieving applications started before the transition to the updated form and are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. We encourage you to be sure to record your Application ID number, which is required to retrieve your application, to save your application frequently, and to review all sections of the form to make sure every question is answered.  Additional information that could be helpful in completing specific DS-160 sections is included below.

Purpose of Travel and Payer Relationship:  If you started your DS-160s before June 25 but did not submit it, you must re-complete the “purpose of travel” and “payer relationship” sections of the form. 

New Questions:  If you started but did not submit your DS-160s before June 25, you may be prompted to answer new, additional questions, even if your form showed as “complete” previously. 

Retrieving an Application without the Application ID (Barcode Number):  You must have your Application ID number to retrieve and continue your application.  

Retrieving an Application if Surname Contains Fewer than Five Characters:  You can retrieve your DS-160 submission by entering up to the first five letters of your surname, even if your surname is less than five letters.  You must have your Applicant IDs to do so.

Started an Application before June 25 and Cannot Retrieve It:  If you cannot retrieve your DS-160, please start a new application.  

Page Error Messages:  Some errors are the result of special characters and formatting related to your computer settings.  You should enter only numbers (no punctuation) in the salary and date fields before clicking “next” or “save.”