DS-260 vs DS-160: A Comprehensive Guide for U.S. Visa Applicants

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of State has reaffirmed that the DS-160 and DS-260 forms serve separate tracks in the visa system, a distinction that shapes how people come to the United States 🇺🇸. As of September 21, 2025, officials say there are no major changes to how either form works or who must use them.

The DS-160 remains the online nonimmigrant visa application for temporary stays such as tourism, study, or short-term work. The DS-260 is the online immigrant visa application for those seeking permanent residence from abroad. Both forms must be completed online and are required before consular interviews can take place. Embassies and consulates report more stable appointment backlogs this year.

Who uses which form and why it matters

The difference between the forms matters for families, workers, students, and lottery winners making visa applications.

• A tourist or student completes the DS-160 and attends a nonimmigrant visa interview.
• An applicant approved for a family or employment green card abroad completes the DS-260 through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and then attends an immigrant visa interview.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, confusion over which form to file still causes delays—especially when applicants switch categories or move from a temporary stay to a green card pathway.

Fees and payment (what applicants should know)

• The DS-160 has no filing fee, but applicants must pay a visa fee based on category. For example:
  • Tourist (B) visas typically cost $160.
• The DS-260 requires a $325 immigrant visa processing fee, plus an added $120 affidavit of support fee in many family-based cases.

The State Department directs applicants to pay online and keep fee receipts for interviews. Applicants can review the official fee schedule and payment instructions here: Fees for Visa Services.

What each form collects

• DS-160 (nonimmigrant):
  • Gathers personal, family, travel, and security information to support short-term travel plans.
• DS-260 (immigrant):
  • Collects more extensive history to assess immigrant visa eligibility and admissibility, including civil documents and police records.

CEAC requires English characters only for the DS-260. Officials warn that entering names or addresses in non-English scripts can lead to rejection or case delays.

Typical processing timelines

Processing timelines vary by category and local consulate workload:

• Nonimmigrant (DS-160): Generally weeks to a few months from filing to interview and decision; student and work cases may take longer depending on additional checks.
• Immigrant (DS-260): Often roughly two to six months after the National Visa Center (NVC) completes document review, though times vary by consulate and visa type.

Post-pandemic backlogs have generally stabilized in 2025, but local spikes and short-term disruptions still occur. Applicants should monitor their consulate’s appointment calendar closely.

Common problems and accuracy requirements

Immigration lawyers say the most common problems are:

• Incomplete answers
• Inconsistencies between forms and supporting records
• Missing uploads—especially on DS-260 cases

The National Visa Center often rejects packages when police certificates, birth certificates, or translations are missing or mislabeled. Applicants should ensure consistent naming across passports, civil records, and prior filings; even small errors can slow cases.

Accuracy drives outcomes: consistent, complete records across all filings are the strongest predictor of a smooth case.

Step-by-step checklists

For the DS-160 (nonimmigrant)

1. Access the form on the Department of State site and complete it in English.
2. Upload a compliant photo.
3. Submit electronically and print the confirmation page.
4. Pay the visa fee and book the consular interview.
5. Bring the confirmation page and supporting documents to the interview.
6. If approved, the consulate places a visa in the passport for a temporary stay.

For the DS-260 (immigrant)

1. Wait for the NVC case number after petition approval.
2. Log into CEAC, complete the form in English, and upload required civil documents.
3. Pay the $325 processing fee and $120 affidavit of support fee online.
4. Submit the form, print the confirmation, and attend the scheduled immigrant visa interview abroad.
5. Upon approval, the consulate issues an immigrant visa, allowing entry as a permanent resident.

Where to start applications

• Start or retrieve a nonimmigrant visa application here: DS-160 online form.
• Start or retrieve an immigrant visa application here: DS-260 immigrant visa application.
• Review current visa fees and payment rules here: Fees for Visa Services.

Officials stress that each applicant must complete their own form, even children listed on a parent’s case. Each person must have a separate confirmation page for the interview.

Policy context and platform stability

The Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have not announced major shifts to core use or submission processes for either form in 2024–2025. Key points:

• DS-260 fee: $325 (immigrant visa processing)
• Affidavit of support fee: $120 (family-based cases)
• DS-160: Free to file; visa costs set by category
• Consular interviews remain mandatory for most applicants

The CEAC platform has gained stability in 2025, easing some frustrations. Still, upload errors and mismatched document titles remain common causes of delay. For DS-260, English-only responses are essential. Name fields should follow the passport’s machine-readable zone to avoid mismatches.

VisaVerge.com and other observers note that consistency across filings (dates, employers, travel history) reduces follow-up requests and administrative processing.

Impact on applicants and practical advice

• Students and short-term workers: The DS-160 supports quicker planning if local posts have interview slots. Apply early for programs with fixed start dates.
• Business travelers: Estimated dates are acceptable on the DS-160; officers may ask for clarification at the interview.
• Families and immigrant workers: The DS-260 requires substantial document preparation. The NVC will not schedule interviews until required civil documents are accepted.

Missing or incorrectly formatted documents (birth/marriage certificates, police certificates, translations) cause checklists and additional review, adding weeks or months to processing.

Three practical tips for both forms

1. Keep copies: Save final review pages, confirmation pages, fee receipts, and appointment confirmations.
2. Be consistent: Ensure dates, addresses, and names match prior filings. If something changed, be ready to explain it.
3. Prepare for the interview: Bring original civil records and certified translations for DS-260 cases. For DS-160, bring documents that support your trip purpose, ties to your home country, and financial ability.

Officials warn that submitting the wrong form can waste months. Nonimmigrant visitors should not use the DS-260; immigrant visa seekers cannot complete their case with a DS-160. If your status or goal changes (e.g., moving from a student pathway to a family-based green card filed abroad), expect to start the correct process with the right form and fees.

Operational cautions and final reminders

• Processing time remains variable. Even in 2025, local disruptions (weather, security, staffing) can cause cancellations.
• Monitor consulate messages and email alerts. Keep passports available for pickup or delivery.
• Avoid copying sample answers from the internet. Officers compare your answers to your personal history, and inconsistencies can trigger follow-up, administrative processing, or refusals under section 221(g).

For clarity and quick access, the key links again:

• DS-160 online form
• DS-260 immigrant visa application
• Fees for Visa Services

State Department officials say they will continue improving online platforms. Applicants may see faster page loads and clearer instructions, but the fundamentals remain: pick the right form, answer every question fully, pay the correct fees, and bring the confirmation page and documents to your interview. For many families and workers abroad, that steady process means fewer surprises—and a clearer route to a decision once their number is called.