How to Check Form DS 160 Status?

What is Form DS 160?

The DS 160 form is an important online application for nonimmigrant US visas. It requires the applicant to provide their personal, educational, and travel details. It is necessary for all nonimmigrant visa requests, whether for work, study, or tourism. The US Department of State reviews the Form DS 160 before your visa interview. It is mandatory to fill out and submit the DS 160 form before scheduling your visa interview at a USA Embassy or Consulate.

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How to Check Form DS 160 Status?

To check the status of your Form DS 160, all applicants must visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Make sure you have the following handy before checking the status.

• Passport number

• Access to the computer or browser you used to fill out the DS 160, as this will help you retrieve any saved answers.

• Having a working printer on hand is a good idea, too, in case you need to print a new confirmation.

• Email address used for the application

Process of Checking Form DS 160 Status

Step 1: Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website

The first step in checking the DS 160 status is to visit the official website of the CEAC. On this page, click on the ‘Check My Visa Application Status’ or ‘Nonimmigrant Visa (DS-160)’. Then click on ‘Click Status’.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Application Type

Make sure to select the correct application type while checking the status of Form DS 160. Select only the Nonimmigrant Visa or DS-160 option and not the immigrant visa. Before entering any details double double-check the selected type of form.

Step 3: Enter your DS-160 Application ID

The next step is to enter the exact DS 160 confirmation number. You can find your confirmation number from the DS 160 confirmation PDF. It usually starts with AA followed by digits/letters. This PDF is saved while submitting the Form DS 160. If you do not have your confirmation number, then you can retrieve the confirmation on the CEAC site. You can click on the ‘Retrieve an Application’ or ‘Forgot Application ID’. Then you will be required to answer the security question and some personal details.

Step 4: Complete any additional fields and the CAPTCHA

Sometimes the pages might require additional information from the applicant. This information includes the passport number and the country of passport. After entering all the details, you will be required to enter the CAPTCHA exactly as displayed.

Step 5: Submit and read the status carefully

After clicking Submit or Check Status on the official website, the page will display a status message. There will be one of the following common status messages displayed:

• Application Received

• Ready

• Issued

• Refused

• Administrative Processing

• Error

What Does the Form DS 160 Status Mean?

The status on the Form DS 160 can have different meanings. The following are the various responses one can receive on their Form 160 application.

• Application Received: This means that your application has been received by the US Consulate. You must wait for any further instructions from the US authorities.

• Ready: This status means that your application has been processed and is ready. In this case, you can schedule the visa interview.

• Issued: This status shows that the visa stamping process has been completed. After this status, the applicant can expect to receive their visa after around 10 days. In case of any delays, it is advisable to contact the consulate.

• Refused: This means that the application has been rejected by the consulate. There can be various reasons for rejection.

• Administrative Processing: This means that your application is under review. Your application is getting reviewed, and the visa has not yet been processed.

• Error: This message occurs if there is any missing information or incorrect information entered by the applicant.

Processing time of Form DS 160

There is no specific processing time for the Form DS 160. However, after reviewing the DS 160 form, the US consulate approves the visa application. After the status has changed to ‘Issued’, it will take approximately 10 days to receive the visa. Also, it is mandatory to wait for atleast 48 hours after submitting the DS 160 form to schedule the interview.

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