Ensure that your browser meets the requirements.
You must have Internet Explorer 5 Service Pack 2 or higher, or Netscape 6.2 or higher. The browser must have Javascript enabled and support 128-bit encryption. Encryption is necessary to protect your data.
Upload a photo that meets US government standards.
Use a US passport-sized photo file. See the guidelines for creating acceptable photos.
Answer all questions.
Most questions are mandatory. Go over each item carefully. Answer as accurately as you can. You will be asked for personal information, sponsor information (if any), details of your planned travel to the US, address, identification numbers, contact details, US visa history, family background, police record, education, etc.
Some questions will not apply to you. For example, you may be asked for a U.S. tax identification number or Social Security number, and you don't have one. If a question is not applicable to you, enter "Does not apply." No mandatory field can be left blank.
Review your answers in the DS-160.
Look over your answers one by one. If you made an error, click on the navigation buttons at the bottom of the page to go back and make changes. As with many other online forms, do not use your browser's navigation buttons as you could lose your data from memory.
Save your work often.
In case of power fluctuations or connection problems, you should save your work regularly to avoid having to start over. Click on the "Save" button to save it "live." To save to your computer, click on "Save Application to File." Save a copy on your hard disk (or portable storage device if you are using a public computer) so you will have a copy of your application.
Should you need to stop midway in your application, save the application to file. Reload it later when you're ready. Go to the starting page and click on "Upload Previous Application" to resume your work.
Submit the application.
When you are sure everythiing is correct, submit your application. The system will generate a bar code for the completed application form. Now you can book an interview appointment via phone or the VisaPoint system, as per the instructions of your embassy. Save the DS-160 confirmation page. You will need it for later on the day of your interview.
