All Korean applicants must first complete the Department of State online application form DS-160. You can either find the application form on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul or at the Consular Electronic Application Center (refer to the Resources section for links). You must fill in the form completely (writing "N/A" as any response is severely discouraged) and print the bar-coded receipt page. You will need to present the receipt page at your interview.
You will need two different photographs for the visa process; the first is a digital photo of yourself that you upload onto your DS-160 application, and the second is a visa photo. The photo you upload on the DS-160 must meet DS visa photo guidelines. The photo must be exactly 2 inches by 2 inches in size and in full color. Clothing should be casual, not formal. Headgear and any obstruction of the face is not allowed, including hats, scarves, sunglasses, head bands and hair jewelry. The only exception is the wearing of prescription eye glasses. The head should be facing directly toward the camera and must make up between 1 and 1 3/8 inch of the photo height. Digital alterations will not be accepted. It is recommended that you have the photo professionally taken where you can obtain a print copy of the photograph to take to the interview and a digital copy to upload onto your application. If you cannot acquire a digital copy, scan the print copy into your computer.
After completing your online application, make an application appointment with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. You must go in person; applications cannot be done by mail. To schedule an appointment, either use the online scheduling service (see Resources) or call the embassy. The online appointment service fee is $11.20, and the telephone service fee is $19 as of 2010. For further appointment queries, contact the embassy at:
Embassy of the United States Seoul
32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710
Republic of Korea
seoul.usembassy.gov
82-2-397-4114
The application fee for all nonimmigrant visas to the United States is $131. The fee must be paid before the interview appointment at any Shinhan Bank branch in Korea. The bank will give you a receipt, which you must take with you to the interview to prove that you paid the fee.
Take with you to the interview the printed application receipt, bank receipt, photo, appointment sheet, your valid passport and any old passports containing previous U.S. visas. Following the interview, you will be informed of whether your application was approved or denied. If your visa is approved, it will be sent to your residence address via courier.
