DS-260 vs DS-160: Which Visa Form Do You Need in 2025?

First, identify all linkable resources in order of appearance.

Detected linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. DS-160
2. DS-260
3. (Fees for visa categories / visa fees) — “visa fees” / “Fees for Visa Services”

Now the article with only the specified government resource links added (only first mention of each resource linked, preserving all content and structure exactly otherwise):

Applicants deciding between the DS-160 and DS-260 face a simple but high‑stakes choice that shapes everything from fees to interview preparation and case timelines. As of September 21, 2025, U.S. consular officials confirm there have been no major changes to how these forms work, but the distinction remains essential: the DS-160 supports temporary, Nonimmigrant travel, while the DS-260 supports permanent, Immigrant residence through consular processing. Filing the wrong form can delay a case or trigger denials, attorneys warn, because each form serves a different legal path and screens for different facts about purpose of travel, ties abroad, and long‑term intent.

Key differences at a glance

• DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application — for short stays (tourism, business, study, exchange, medical, temporary work).
• DS-260: Immigrant Visa Application — for those seeking a green card from outside the U.S. via consular processing after USCIS petition approval.

Filing the wrong form or entering inconsistent details across records can cause delays, administrative processing, or refusals. Accuracy and truthfulness matter more than speed.

Fees and basic requirements

DS-160
– No charge to submit the DS-160 itself (application submission is free), but visa fees by category apply.
– Common fees:
– B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa: $160
– Petition-based categories (H‑1B, L‑1): $190
– Applicants must upload a digital passport‑style photo (or bring a printed photo if upload fails) and print the barcode confirmation page to bring to the interview.

DS-260
– Filed through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
– Fees before interview:
– $325 for visa processing
– $120 for Affidavit of Support review
– Must be completed entirely in English using Roman characters. Failure to follow this rule can cause rejection and resubmission, setting a case back by weeks.
– Applicants must print the confirmation page and bring originals of civil documents and translations to the interview.

Policy basics and what officers look for

State Department guidance reflects the core split in U.S. visa law:
– Nonimmigrant visas (DS-160) — aim for temporary visits.
– Immigrant visas (DS-260) — grant permanent residence and a path to citizenship.

What consular officers evaluate:
– For the DS-160:
– Clear travel purpose and credible funding
– Strong ties to the home country (jobs, property, family)
– Readiness to show the stay will be temporary
– For the DS-260:
– Eligibility for the green card category (valid family relationship or qualifying job offer)
– Admissibility checks (security, medical exam, financial sponsorship via Affidavit of Support)

The DS-260 is part of a more document‑heavy pipeline (NVC workflow) and generally involves more extensive review.

Filing workflows

DS-160 filing steps:
1. Complete and submit the form online.
2. Print the confirmation/barcode page.
3. Pay the visa fee for your category and book the interview slot (via local embassy/consulate portal).
4. Gather supporting documents and attend the interview with passport, confirmation page, fee receipt (if required), and supporting evidence.

DS-260 filing steps:
1. USCIS approves the immigrant petition (e.g., family I-130); NVC opens the case and invoices fees.
2. Pay $325 processing fee and $120 Affidavit of Support review fee.
3. Complete the DS-260 in English (Roman characters); submit civil documents and sponsor’s Affidavit of Support.
4. Print the confirmation page; await NVC “documentarily qualified” status and then attend the interview with originals and translations.
5. If approved, the embassy issues an Immigrant visa; after entry to the U.S., you receive your green card.

Interview preparation and document checklist

For DS-160 applicants:
– Show nonimmigrant intent: enrollment proof (students), employer letters (business), itinerary, financial evidence.
– Upload compliant passport photo or bring a printed photo.
– Bring passport, confirmation page, and any required receipts.

For DS-260 applicants:
– Expect detailed questions about family relationships, addresses since age 16, prior U.S. travel, and any past immigration violations.
– Bring civil records: birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates (where required).
– Bring a complete Affidavit of Support file from the sponsor, originals, and certified translations.

Common documentation tips:
– Bring originals and certified translations for Immigrant cases.
– Keep a printed copy of your entire submitted application and the barcode confirmation page.

Attorney-recommended best practices

• Double‑check spelling of names, dates of birth, passport numbers, and case numbers before submitting.
• Keep copies of submitted applications and confirmation pages.
• For DS-260, ensure addresses since age 16 are listed with no gaps; if unsure, give good‑faith estimates and stay consistent across records.
• Bring original documents and certified translations to the interview.
• If you spot a mistake:
  • For DS-160: many applicants create a new application and bring the latest confirmation page.
  • For DS-260: raise the error at the interview so the consular officer can decide whether to edit the record.

Recent developments (2024–2025)

• The Department of State reports no major changes to the core use or submission of the DS-160 and DS-260.
• DS-260 fee structure remains $325 plus $120.
• Some embassies have improved online scheduling and document pre‑submission portals to reduce day‑of‑interview issues, but these do not change the forms or legal standards.
• The Department reiterates that false statements can cause denials or long‑term bars — this warning applies equally to both forms.

Risks and practical consequences

• Mixing goals (e.g., applying on a DS-160 while intending to stay permanently) can lead to refusals for failure to show nonimmigrant intent.
• Small errors — mismatched addresses, unclear employment timelines — may trigger administrative processing or 221(g) refusals.
• Correcting material errors is generally harder for the DS-260; consular officers typically handle edits at the interview.

“We don’t expect perfection, but we do expect complete, honest answers.” — veteran consular officer

This captures the practical wisdom attorneys and VisaVerge.com analysis consistently report: straightforward cases with thorough, consistent forms finish more smoothly.

Summary — Which form is your lane?

• If your travel is temporary, the DS-160 is your lane.
• If your move is permanent (green card via consular processing), the DS-260 is your lane.

One rule stands out in bold: print and bring the confirmation page to your interview.

Official resources

• Department of State — DS-160 Nonimmigrant form and guidance: DS-160 – Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
• Department of State — DS-260 Immigrant form and NVC processing: DS-260 – Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (CEAC)
• Official visa fee details: Fees for Visa Services

If you’re unsure which form applies to your situation, consider consulting an immigration attorney or using the official State Department resources above before submitting any application.