DS160 Replaces DS-156, DS-157, DS-158

[Rodrique 3]

My fellow VJ friends,

Please be aware of the change of forms in use now by the US Embassies in Brazil.

Please read from the US Embassy website below, also does anyone know what a form FS-257 (for fiancees only) is and where can it be obtained from...??? Does it come included in the Packet mailed to the beneficiary...???

From the US Embassy website:

New visa application form enters into force in April

Simplification of forms aims to speed the process up

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Online DS-160 for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Brasilia, March, 2010 – As of April 5th, the State Department will be using a new form in Brazil for visa applications. DS-160 is completely electronic and will replace the forms DS-156, 157 and 158. The new form also allows photographs to be uploaded. Even with the implementation of this new form, applicants still need to schedule an interview and pay the fees.

After filling out and sending in the form via the internet, applicants will get a confirmation page with a barcode. On the day of the interview they just have to hand over this page with the barcode.

DS-160 is a multiple choice smart form and has already reduced the waiting time on the day of the interview and the processing time for visas in other countries it has been implemented in. Research carried out in nations where the new form is already being used indicates an increase in client satisfaction compared with the previously used system.

The new form will be available in English only, but the system can translate the questions into Portuguese – users just have to put the cursor over the question. DS-160 can be found online at http://www.visto-eua.com.br/.

Important points:

Fill out and send in the form at least two days before the interview.

Fill the form out carefully. If the form is filled out incorrectly, the applicant risks not being able to conclude the interview. In this case, the form will have to be filled out again, the interview fee will have to be paid again, and the applicant will have to return to the consulate on another day. The following fields may invalidate the form if filled out incorrectly: name (must be the same as in the passport), passport number, country where the passport was issued, date of birth, country of birth, nationality, sex, marital status, last trip to the United States, photograph uploaded.

It will not be necessary to complete it all at once. Applicants can save and continue the process later.

We recommend payment of the visa application fee be made in advance, avoid leaving it to the day of the interview.

Other forms that are still required: Students (I-20); Exchange Programs (DS-2019); work visa requests; diplomats and official representatives; diplomatic notices from Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, from International Bodies (the UN, IDB, etc), or from consulates.

I hope this is helpful and saves anyone some time and money as the fee will have to be paid again if it is not correct the day of the interview and must be rescheduled.

[marlea 84]

Please make sure to find out if this is true for K category of visas in Brazil. At the London Embassy, for example the DS 160 has replaced the other forms for MOST visas, but not all. The K category visas are still required to fill out the multiple forms. Some people find this confusing as the website says that all non-immigrant visas should now use the DS 160, but some embassies have exceptions for certain visas.

[marlea 84]

Here is the link to the Department of State link which outlines this.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4401.html

13. When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

No, with two exceptions. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one (1) form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.

NOTE: The exceptions are Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa application, which is explained in #14 below.

It is important to check the Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply for your nonimmigrant visa for information on the application process in place. Embassies and consulates worldwide will transition one-by-one to the DS-160. Therefore, those Embassies which have not yet converted to the new DS-160 online form continue to require all application forms, as necessary.

Edited August 13, 2010 by marlea

[Rodrique 3]

Thanks Marlea,

This is of a truth, yet the US Embassy in Brazil states this:

*********************** Notice ***********************

The application process for U.S. visas changed as of April 5, 2010. Appointments now REQUIRE that you complete the new DS-160, and upload your photo electronically. You may access and fill out the new form found at this link: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

The Consulate will ONLY accept the new DS-160 form. Applicants who do not present the DS-160 form will NOT be interviewed and MUST reschedule their appointments for the next available date.

Your DS-160 application must be completed no less than 2 days prior to your appointment date.

For additional information, please:

Frequently asked questions about the form DS-160

Presentation on how to fill in the new online form DS-160

Additional information about the DS-160 at travel.state.gov .

Additional information about visas for the United States at travel.state.gov.

This is somewhat confusing as each Embassy in each country transistions it seems to phase out the other forms.

I would be safe and have the DS-160 and the others also in the event it is required in adition to the DS-160.

Brazil says they "will only accept the DS-160 form". Check with the Embassy in the beneficary's country handling your case. Hope this is not too confusing as we have enough of that.

[marlea 84]

Right, I just wanted to point out the the Department of State (which is in charge of all the embassies) is saying that all K category visas still require the DS-156 and DS-156K in addition to the DS-160. Brazil may now use the DS-160 to replace the others, but it would probably be better to still prepare the paper DS-156 and DS-156K just to be safe. I would hate for anyone to show up without them if they are needed!

[Darnell 8,478]

You need to be 'really certain' this applies to K-1 and K-3 visas.

There are many other 'nonimmigrant visa types' that it DOES apply to -

and the 'inclusion of the DS-160' for the K-1 and K-3 is , at this point, 'Embassy Specific' - for now, any Embassy using it for K-1 and K-3 visa is 'the exception' and not 'the rule'.

Vette yer info, please.

[Ladylethal 12]

I got that information corrected ArJay, you were looking in the wrong part of the website as that's only for non-immigrant visas. The K1 fees, forms, etc is discussed under the immigrant tab of the website.

What is actually new as of June/2010 is the Machine-Readable visa fee of US$350. All applicants should be aware of this extra expense.

The part that says DS-160 will not be accepted or used is noted on the list of necessary forms.

I'll quote the whole list below:

Forms for Fiance(e) Visas (K1 visa category):

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Starting June 4, 2010, K visa applicants are required to pay the new Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee of US$350. Each prospective K1/K2/K3/K4 applicant who has already paid the US$131.00 fee according to the old fee schedule will be required to pay a differential at Citibank PRIOR to the day of the visa interview. Differentials WILL NOT be processed at the Consulate.

• Instructions for Fiancée Applicants

• DS 230 (Fill out just part I)

• DS-156 *
  *Note:
  1) DS-156 and DS-157s are still required for K and Refugees Visas, until further notice. DS-160 will NOT be accepted on those cases.
  2) Applicant must present two copies of this form. It will only be accepted in the electronic version.

• DS-156K

• DS-157

• I-134*
  *Instructions for the Affidavit of Support: I-134

• Sworn Statement

• Poverty Guidelines

• Medical Examination

• Photo Requirements

• Request for Police Certificate (State Public Security Secretariat)

• Request for Police Certificate
  (Residents and former residents of the State of RJ)

• List of Public Security Secretariats / Secretarias de Segurança Pública

• Request for Police Certificate
  (Federal Police)

• List of Federal Police Offices / Delegacias da Polícia Federal (Federal Police)

Edited August 15, 2010 by Ladylethal

[krissyjoe 3]

Hi I have a question with regards to my DS-160 and DS-157. DS-160: just noticed last night that I made 3 errors. 1. in putting my fiancee's address in the column US contact information : instead of putting 590 I put 509 in his address 2. I forgot to put the #14 in my lot number in the home address column. 3. in the travel information column : I misspelled Mountainside "Mountaindside"...what do you think should I do to correct this? we haven't set an appointment yet for my interview so can I just do this DS-160 again? or what?

Regarding to my DS-157 : I forgot to put 9 on my fiancee's zip code instead of putting 98027 I put 8027...can I just do this form again?

I hope you can help me with all my questions. I'm really worried that this would cause me some major problems.

Thanks guys!!!