What Is the DS-260?
Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application) is the online application that every immigrant visa applicant must complete before their consular interview. It is the digital replacement for the old paper DS-230 and is submitted through the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) portal. You cannot schedule a consular interview until your DS-260 is submitted and processed by the National Visa Center.
Who Needs to File DS-260?
Every immigrant visa applicant going through consular processing must complete a DS-260, including family-based immigrants (I-130 beneficiaries processing abroad), employment-based immigrants (I-140 beneficiaries processing abroad), Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners, and derivative family members (spouse and children of the principal applicant — each person files their own DS-260). If you are filing I-485 adjustment of status from inside the U.S., you do NOT file a DS-260.
DS-260 Sections and What to Include
| Section | Information Required | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | Full name, date/place of birth, nationality, gender, national ID numbers | Use name exactly as on passport |
| Address & Phone | Current address, phone, email, U.S. point of contact | U.S. address is where your green card will be mailed |
| Family | Spouse, children (including from prior marriages), parents, siblings | List ALL children even if not immigrating |
| Prior Spouses | Information about all prior marriages | Include divorce dates and how marriage ended |
| Work/Education | Employment history (10 years), education history | Include employer addresses and supervisor names |
| Travel | Countries visited in last 5 years, prior U.S. visits | Check passport stamps for accuracy |
| Security | Criminal history, immigration violations, security-related questions | Answer honestly — false statements are grounds for visa denial and permanent inadmissibility |
How to Submit DS-260
Log in to CEAC at ceac.state.gov using your NVC case number and invoice ID. Select the DS-260 form for each applicant. Complete all sections — you can save and return later (the form saves automatically every 20 minutes). Upload your passport-style photo (600x600 pixels, white background, within 6 months). Review all answers carefully, then sign electronically and submit. After submission, print the confirmation page with your barcode — bring this to your interview.
Can I Make Changes After Submitting?
Yes, but it is complicated. You can "unlock" a submitted DS-260 through the CEAC portal to make corrections. However, unlocking may reset your NVC processing timeline. Minor corrections (typos, updated addresses) can often be made at the consular interview by informing the officer. For substantial changes (new family members, criminal history updates), unlock and resubmit well before your interview date.
Common DS-260 Mistakes
Using a name that does not match your passport exactly, forgetting to list all children (including adult children and children from prior relationships), inconsistent dates between DS-260 and supporting documents, incomplete employment history (every gap must be explained), incorrect U.S. address (this is where your green card will be mailed — use a reliable U.S. contact), and rushing through the security questions without reading them carefully.
Preparation tip: Before starting the DS-260, gather these documents: all passports (current and expired), birth certificate, marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s), employment records for the past 10 years, educational transcripts, and addresses for every residence in the past 5 years. Having this information ready prevents errors and speeds up completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to fill out DS-260?
Plan for 1-2 hours per applicant. The form has many detailed sections and you should not rush through it. You can save progress and return later.
Is DS-260 the same as DS-160?
No. DS-160 is for nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applications. DS-260 is for immigrant visa (green card) applications processed at a consulate.
What happens after I submit DS-260?
The NVC reviews your DS-260 along with your other documents. Once everything is complete and reviewed, NVC schedules your consular interview.