DS-160 Visa Application Guide — Step-by-Step with Screenshots

Step 0: Go to the Official Website

Visit ceac.state.gov to begin your application.

Click on first link. DS-160 form which is required for US Visitor visas (B1/B2), student visas (F,J) and others

Step 1: Start the Application Form

Choose city where you will apply for the visa. You may need to check interview slot availability.
From my experience, reps in US embassy call center allowed to change the city, without changing the DS160 form.
But I think it is on embassy discretion.

The form accepts both upper case and lower cases.


Good Luck in your application!

Step 2: Create Security Question & Answer

IMPORTANT!!!
Save application ID and security answer!

Step 2.1: Retrieve an Existing Application (optional)

Application ID is needed to retrieve it and when registering for interview

Step 2.2: Retrieve an Existing Application (optional)

Security answer is needed to retrieve the application as well.
If surname is shorter than 5 letters, no problem - type as it is.

Step 3: Personal Information – Part 1 (Name, DOB, nationality)

Enter your name exactly like in your passport (same order, no extra spaces).

Step 4: Personal Information – Part 2 (Passport, ID numbers)

National Identification number is not passport number. In Kazakhstan it is the 12-digit identification number so called IIN (ИИН).

Step 5: Travel Information (Purpose of trip, dates, US contact)

In my application, I chose "No" and just gave arrival date with planned duration (3w).
However it might be good to add, but take a step to make proper plan.
Where are you planning to go? Do you have flight there? Where you are going to stay?
If it is hotel, find the address and put it here. Book hotel with free cancellation, so you don't pay without visa on hand.
If someone is paying for you, provide detailed information on person.

Step 6: Travel Companions (family or group)

All names are fake.
In my application, there was wife and 4 kids.
I think, group here means if you are traveling as a part of tour or something like that.

Step 7: Previous US Travel Information (visas, entries, refusals)

List any previous US visas and entries honestly.
Provide details if you had refusal.

Step 8: Address & Phone Information (home address, mailing, phone, email)

Home and mailing addresses, phone, and email go here.
From my experience Abai str. 15/2 didn't work, but Abay str. 15-2.
Social media is optional—only add what you’re comfortable sharing.

Step 9: Passport Information (passport type, number, issue/expiry dates)

Here it is asked about international passport (some countries may have separate internal.).
If you are not diplomat or government representative, then highly likely you have international regular passport.
Double-check number and issue/expiry dates.

Step 10: U.S. Contact Information (contact person, organization, address)

We didn't have any US contact person, only hotel name.
If you have a U.S. host, enter their name and address.

Step 11: Family Information – Part 1 (parents’ names, birth dates)

Names are fake.

Step 12: Family Information – Part 2 (spouse, children if any)

Names are fake.
Add your spouse and all kids, if you have.

Step 13: Work / Education / Training – Part 1 (current job/school)

Full work address.
As a part of documents, you may take official confirmation paper from work, which will have your salary as well.
Also bank statement as a proof of funds.

Step 14: Work / Education / Training – Part 2 (previous jobs, schools, travel)

Education from high school onward.
Volunteer roles are fine—only if real.

Step 15: Work / Education / Training – Part 2 (additional information)

Not sure about languages, but if you have visited other countries it should be a good sign.
We had about 3-4 countries to mention, all with stamp proves in passport.

Step 16: Security and Background – Part 1

Answer every question honestly.

Step 17: Security and Background – Part 2

Answer every question honestly.

Step 18: Security and Background – Part 3

Answer every question honestly.

Step 19: Security and Background – Part 4

Answer every question honestly.

Step 20: Security and Background – Part 5

Answer every question honestly.

Step 21: Upload visa photo.

There are specific requirements for US Visa applications. Review them before the uploading.

Step 22: Photo review

If photo meets requirements, you will see green check mark.

Step 23: Data review – Part 5

Double check your name, numbers, dates to match your documents.
You will several pages to review your data.

Step 24: Location

Place to change submission location.
After this, only on embassy discretion.

Step 25: Sign and submit

If someone helped you, add their information, no issues in that.


Good Luck!!!