Overview
All immigrant visa applicants must use Form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa Application.
Each applicant—including children—must have their own DS-260 visa application. The DS-260 form must be submitted online and the printed confirmation page must be brought to the interview. The U.S. Embassy will not accept handwritten or typed applications.
When you sign your DS-260 electronically, you are certifying that all the information contained in it is true and correct. Misrepresenting any facts could render you ineligible to enter the United States. Please double-check that all your answers are accurate and that every question is answered completely.
What do I need to complete and submit forms online?
To complete and submit forms online, you must have:
• Internet Access
• Your National Visa Center (NVC) Case Number—refer to the message you received from the NVC or from the Embassy Immigrant Visa Unit
• Your Invoice ID number—refer to the message you received from the NVC or from the Embassy Immigrant Visa Unit
If the applicant was not assigned an Invoice ID number, they should enter the applicant’s date of birth as a substitute invoice ID
Where can I find the DS-260?
You can access the DS-260 from the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website by following the instructions on the U.S. Department of State’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing.html.
After you pay your fees and the status in CEAC is updated to PAID, you and each qualified family member immigrating with you must complete the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-260).
Can I answer in my native language?
No. All answers, except as specially provided, must be in English, using English characters only. Applications submitted in any language other than English may be rejected, and you will be required to log back into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and provide English answers.
Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?
Most fields on the DS-260 are mandatory. You may leave fields marked Optional blank. Some fields may also give you the option to select Does Not Apply. If a field does not apply to you, you may mark the box next to Does Not Apply.
All other fields must be completed: the application will not allow you to submit a form with any mandatory fields left blank. In this instance, an error message will be displayed and you will be required to complete the field before continuing with the application. If you do not answer questions that apply, your form may be rejected.
What happens if I need to step away in the middle of data entry/completing the DS-260?
You may save your partially completed DS-260 at any time by clicking on the Save button at the bottom of every page. If you need to step away, simply click the Save button to save your progress, and click on Sign Out in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. All data that you entered up to the point of clicking on “Save” will be stored until you are ready to continue completing the form.
To ensure your privacy if you step away in the middle of data entry, the DS-260 has a time out feature. If your DS-260 application is idle for approximately 20 minutes, CEAC will log you off. All data that you entered up to the last time you clicked Save will be stored until you are ready to continue completing the form. Any data that you entered after clicking Save will be lost.
How do I access a previously-saved DS-260?
You can access your saved application by returning to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Once there, you need to identify which application is yours. To do so, provide the information requested. Once you recover your application, you will have to review information you previously provided before returning to the point where you left off.
Once you are satisfied that the information in your application is correct and complete, you may submit the application. Please be aware that once you submit your application, by clicking the Sign and Submit Application button on the Sign and Submit page, you will be unable to access your application again without the assistance of NVC or the U.S. embassy at which you plan to apply.
Do I bring my entire application to the interview, or only the confirmation page?
You should not bring your entire application with you to your interview. Your confirmation page is all that is needed to retrieve your application data and process your visa case.
I am traveling with my family. Can I create a family application?
No. Each member attending an immigrant visa interview must have their own, separate DS-260. This includes children.
The Consulate denied my application because my DS-260 contained errors or was incomplete. What does this mean and what do I need to do next?
The DS-260 should contain truthful information and each question should be answered out as completely as possible. If your case was denied because your DS-260 must be corrected, please visit the Consular Electronic Application Center, reenter your application, correct the information as requested by the Consulate, and save your changes.
The Form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa Application, is a mandatory step for all immigrant visa applicants, including children, and must be completed online. Each applicant must have their own form, which is accessible through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) after fee payment. Information must be provided in English, and all mandatory fields must be filled out accurately. Incomplete or incorrect forms can lead to application denial. The form has a save feature for incomplete entries and a timeout feature for security. After submission, the form cannot be accessed without assistance from the National Visa Center (NVC) or the U.S. embassy. For the interview, only the confirmation page of the DS-260 is required, not the entire application. Each family member must submit an individual DS-260. If a DS-260 is denied due to errors or incompleteness, the applicant must correct the information as instructed by the Consulate. This process is federal and applies to all states, including Arkansas (AR).
