Anyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the U.S., including F-1 & J-1 students and scholars, must complete and submit the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application prior to their visa appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The DS-160 is an essential component of the visa application process, and the visa officer will have access to your complete DS-160 at the time of your interview. The most important thing to remember is to BE HONEST and answer each question with as much detail as possible. 

The visa officer will have access to your background information including fingerprint results, facial recognition results and all responses on your DS-160. For example, the visa officer will know if you have family members in the U.S. and if you have past visa denials or a criminal record.

Key Reminders

  • Plan 60-90 minutes to finish the application. Although you can save the form and come back later, the system will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity, so be sure to save your form often.
  • Each visa applicant must complete and submit a separate DS-160 and pay the associated visa application fee, including F-2 and J-2 dependents. For applicants under 16 or those physically unable to complete the form, a parent or guardian may complete and sign on their behalf.
  • You don’t need to complete and submit the DS-160 application to schedule your interview, but you do need the Application ID Number, which is generated at the start of the DS-160 process. However, be sure to complete the DS-160 within 60 days, or the system may automatically delete any information previously saved, and you’ll need to start over. You must complete the DS-160 application before your scheduled visa interview.
  • Review carefully before submission. Once submitted, it’s generally not possible to change responses. Be as accurate as possible and review all of your answers before finalizing and submitting the form.
  • If you do find a mistake, reach out to the Embassy or Consulate where you scheduled your interview. Tell them the mistake and the Embassy or Consulate may be able to update your record, or at least note it for the visa officer. Key biographical details, such as your name or date of birth, are generally not editable, so mistakes will usually require a new DS-160 form and possibly a new scheduled interview.
  • Print and bring your DS-160 confirmation page to your visa interview. Once you complete and submit your DS-160 online, you’ll receive a confirmation page. Print that page and bring it with you to your visa interview. 

After completing the DS-160, follow these steps:

  1. Print and keep the DS-160 confirmation barcode page. Be sure to have this ready and available to present to the visa officer at your visa interview. 
  2. Schedule a visa interview appointment. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you. Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will interview for country-specific instructions.  
  3. Pay the Visa Application Processing Fee. Review country-specific instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.

Guidance on completing the DS-160

Review DS-160 FAQs

The U.S. Department of State has prepared a very helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. See DS-160 FAQs.

Who is my contact at WashU?

The DS-160 asks you to provide a contact name, address and phone number at your sponsoring school. Students with an I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU should list the following:

  • F-1 and J-1 student contact: Ariel Carpenter
  • J-1 scholar contact: Laura Register

Address:
Washington University in St. Louis
Office for International Students and Scholars
6510 Wallace Dr., Alumni Hall
St. Louis, MO 63105

Phone: 314-935-5910

Email: oiss@wustl.edu

How do I find my SEVIS ID number?

For F-1 students, the SEVIS ID Number is found on the upper left-hand corner of the I-20. It starts the letter “N.”

For J-1 students and scholars, the SEVIS ID Number is found on the upper right corner of the DS-2019. It starts with the letter “N.”

How do I find WashU’s School Code (for F-1) or WashU’s Program Number (for J-1)?
F-1 Students

F-1 students can find the school code under the School Information section on page 1 of the I-20. The section is entitled “School Code and Approval Date.”

Be sure to check the School Code listed on your I-20 as the School Code is different depending on your campus.

J-1 Students or Scholars

J-1 students and scholars can find the Exchange Visitor Program Number under section #2 Program Sponsor on the DS-2019. The number begins with “P-1-0.”

Where is the code for my field of study located on the Form I-20 (for F-1 students)?

The field of study code is located under the PROGRAM of STUDY section on page 1 of the I- 20.

Where is the field of study located on the DS-2019 (for J-1 students & scholars)?

The field of study code is located under Section 4 on page 1 of the DS-2019.

What should I enter for “Address where you will stay in the U.S.” if I do not yet know where I will be living?

If you do not yet know where you will be living, you may indicate “not yet known” for the street address and list “St. Louis” as the city and “Missouri” as the state.

“Family members” section

In the family members section, it is important to be honest about your immediate relatives and if they are currently residing in the U.S. The visa officer will already have access to this information, so be honest.

Immediate relatives refer the following family members:

  • Siblings (brothers or sisters)
  • Parents (mother or father)
  • Children (son or daughter)
  • Spouse or someone you are engaged to marry

“Other relatives” refers to: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.

Review, review, review!

After uploading the photo and before submitting the form, go back through all your answers to ensure you have provided accurate, honest answers with as much detail as possible.

If you have any doubts or questions, we advise you consult a qualified immigration attorney for further guidance.