How is Form DS-160 different from Form DS-156?
Form DS-160 consolidates several nonimmigrant visa application forms into a single electronic document. It replaces Form DS-156 and most of the paper supplements to that form, including Form DS-157, the supplemental nonimmigrant visa application used by male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 among others, and Form DS-158, the contact and work history form used by applicants for student or exchange visitor visas. Unlike Form DS-156, Form DS-160 is completely electronic. It is filled out and submitted to the State Department online. While Form DS-156 can be filled out online, it has to be submitted in hard copy to the consulate. Form DS-160 contains all of the questions included in Forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158, but also asks for some details that were not previously requested of nonimmigrant visa applicants, such as whether the applicant has ever held a U.S. driver’s license or Social Security number. As you move through the DS-160 electronic form, you will be asked to input yo
