ds 160 - i am about to start crying

[thrashunreal 20]

I have just spent the past two hours painstakingly filling in the DS-160 online.

It has locked me out twice. The first time I didn't even take a note of my application number so had no way to get it back up on my screen.

This time I saved it the whole way along, got locked out even though I had been saving it as '20 minutes' had passed since I last saved which is not true, had hit the save button EVERY page of the way.

I tried to log back in using my application number, date of birth and secret answer and it won't let me in.

At this stage I feel like simultaneously crying/screaming anyway as the whole form is RIDICULOUSLY thorough and I have spent FOREVER trying to ensure my answers are correct.

I am so hormonal (girly time of the month) and this stupid form is about to break me.

Any help/ideas?

[Lstanick15 9]

First off, ALWAYS take note of any slight bit of info. I always take a picture on my iPhone of everything so I can relate at a later date. Second, I'm in the same boat as this whole thing. Very hormonal! Haha. It logged me out and after repeatedly trying to log back in with the correct info, it wouldn't let me. So I closed the page and reopened and it worked as normal. I see you posted this a few hours ago so may have solved the problem, if not I hope this helps

[Unidentified 2,930]

To prevent this problem I actually saved after each page and just decided to log back in after each time seemed to work. Might be worth trying. Good luck and hope it stops messing with you!

[thrashunreal 20]

I am definitely blaming hormones and the freakish heat wave London is experiencing right now. I was almost in tears by the time I reached the security questions, so intense haha.

I finally got back in and have it finished except my photo - is it a US or UK passport photo we need? Sorry I seriously can't use my own brain for thinking today, someone hold me

[Unidentified 2,930]

I am definitely blaming hormones and the freakish heat wave London is experiencing right now. I was almost in tears by the time I reached the security questions, so intense haha.

I finally got back in and have it finished except my photo - is it a US or UK passport photo we need? Sorry I seriously can't use my own brain for thinking today, someone hold me

For the photo you can just take any photo you want you can even take it with your phone and the program will tell you if it's a good one or not. It doesn't like shadows and if you're wearing glasses take them off. It can be a bit picky but eventually you'll find something that works.

[Lstanick15 9]

I'm up in Newcastle and freakishly hot is a nice way to put it! I've done this twice before for working visas so I was all prepared for it lol. I've done US passport, I had a few sitting around that I'd needed for the initial petition so just scanned that in. But the last 2 years I think I've used UK passport, as long as it meets requirements.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide-do-not-post-questions-in-thread/

This has been a saviour for me. It has a section on every part that the UK citizen has to do. It says US photo on there, or find a white background so I guess its not too strict.

[thrashunreal 20]

I can't upload anything to the photo part: Unable to read image memory into DibImage.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I think it needs to be US passport photo specifications, at least that's what i remember hearing. Usually anytime the US gov immigration is asking for a photo, what they want is in US passport format.

You can use whatever photo you want, it can be scanned or one that is just laying around on the computer and then you upload it and you use the program to crop it if needed. The K1 was my 4th US visa and I've only used photos laying around on my computer. No issues.

I can't upload anything to the photo part: Unable to read image memory into DibImage.

Wrong file format maybe? Their program is really picky sometimes and you kind of have to experiment until you find something that works.

[Scandi 4,166]

I had that issue too last night. When I got the page where it says that it "timed out" I couldn't get in again despite having the right number and answering the security questions correctly. I had to go back out to the main page to get back in again.

There's clearly some technical issue with the "timed out" page so you can't get in when trying. But when you go back all the way out to the main page you can get in just fine.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You can stop pulling your hair out and take a US sized (2"x2") photo to your interview. Skip the upload. A US Visa requires a photo meeting US specs.

Edited July 20, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[thrashunreal 20]

There isn't a way to skip the upload to be able to complete the application.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There isn't a way to skip the upload to be able to complete the application.

I'm pretty sure the last time I looked at it, it said if you have technical difficulties with the photo upload you don't have to do it. That's what I was going by.

[thrashunreal 20]

Ugh I wish. If there is and anyone reading this can assist I would LOVE to skip the photo part.

[sparclight 9]

I'd say if shot of whiskey can't fix it take another .. also keep the faith...it happens

I have just spent the past two hours painstakingly filling in the DS-160 online.

It has locked me out twice. The first time I didn't even take a note of my application number so had no way to get it back up on my screen.

This time I saved it the whole way along, got locked out even though I had been saving it as '20 minutes' had passed since I last saved which is not true, had hit the save button EVERY page of the way.

I tried to log back in using my application number, date of birth and secret answer and it won't let me in.

At this stage I feel like simultaneously crying/screaming anyway as the whole form is RIDICULOUSLY thorough and I have spent FOREVER trying to ensure my answers are correct.

I am so hormonal (girly time of the month) and this stupid form is about to break me.

Any help/ideas?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Found under "Important: Before You Start"

4. how to complete the application

--------------

Uploading a Photo to Your DS-160

I understand that I can upload a photo with my application. How do I get a digital photo that will successfully upload to my application?

Please refer to the Photograph Requirements for detailed guidance.

The confirmation page has an "X" in the box where the photo should be. What does that mean?

That means that the photo upload failed. Therefore, you should submit one printed photograph meeting our requirements, along with the online DS-160 confirmation page, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at which you plan to apply for your visa. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying for specific instructions on how to do this. See the print photo format found in the Photograph Requirements for more information. If the confirmation page includes a photo image, then the photo upload function was successful and no separate print photograph is required.

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Photo requirements and photo tool to make your own https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/photos.html

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The fact that it says you can get a confirmation of sending with an "X" for a photo says to me you can still submit without a photo. I would have to create an account to try it and and help you further. Not going to do that.

Suggestion: reboot and wait a few days until you feel better. And read Important: Before You Start".

Edited July 20, 2016 by Nich-Nick