To study in the United States as an international student, you must get a visa that allows you to stay while pursuing your degree. You need to complete the DS-160 F-1 visa application form, also known as the nonimmigrant visa application form, before being interviewed by a US consulate general in your home country and before you can be issued a visa.
May 2025 update
You may have heard that the US has temporarily paused new student visa interview bookings. Have questions about student visas? Check out our FAQs guide to studying in the US in 2025 or reach out to a Shorelight advisor for personalized guidance. Get in touch >
We know you are excited to study abroad in the United States, and by doing some research before you start your visa application, you can save time, frustration, and even money. It is essential to know how to fill a DS-160 for an F-1 visa, what DS-160 fees to expect, and which documents you will need to be successful.
Read our DS-160 F-1 visa guide, understand the visa requirements before you apply, and make sure you have everything you need to fill out your DS-160 application form.
Get one-on-one F-1 visa assistance from a Shorelight advisor >
What Is a DS-160 Form?
The DS-160 application is a required form for your F-1 student visa. A F-1 student visa is for international students who want to enroll in an academic degree program, not a vocational course of study. For international students, a DS-160 application tells the United States government that you have been accepted into an accredited university program and that you have met all the eligibility requirements for study in the US. It also includes relevant personal, academic, and professional information, travel plans, and contact information when you are in the United States. You will also have to answer some security questions during the DS-160 F-1 visa process.
Once you complete your DS-160, you will only have one more checkpoint before you receive your student visa — the interview. When you complete the visa interview, you will be issued your F-1 student visa and then be ready to study in the United States.
Now that you know what is the DS-160 form, let us look at who needs one before studying abroad in the USA.
Learn more about the visa interview process >
Who Needs a DS-160 Form?
If you are coming to the US to work, for school, or even to travel for an extended period, you likely need a visa to be admitted into the United States. Your DS-160 application contains the basic information the US government needs to understand the purpose of your visit and determine that it is safe for you to visit and to know how you will be spending your time in the country. If you need a visa, you need to fill out a DS-160, the only available application for all nonimmigrant visa types.
Learn more about US visas for students >
How Can I Get a DS-160 Form?
You can begin filling out your DS-160 form online at the Consular Electronic Application Center part of the State.gov website. It is recommended that you go through the instructions for completing the DS-160 form before you start, to be sure you are familiar with the terms used and questions asked.
You can also save your progress and come back later or save it to an external drive to complete later, if you think it will take you more than 30 days.
DS-160 Application Process
Now that you have had a chance to look over the online form, collect all your documents and photos, and have a payment method for the processing fee, you can begin filling out the DS-160 application. To avoid any technical issues, be sure you are using a recent version of Firefox, Chrome, or Internet Explorer so you can submit your DS-160 F-1 visa paperwork. It will take you approximately 90 minutes to complete your DS-160 application. Be sure to set aside enough time or you can also save and continue your progress later.
How to Fill Out a DS-160 Form
Click “Start an Application” to begin the DS-160 F-1 visa application process.
Make sure to write down the Application ID displayed on the top right-hand corner of the page as soon as you begin. Your Application ID will allow you to continue your progress if your computer crashes or if you need to stop and start again at a later date.
Answer all of the questions on each page of the digital application, following the instructions closely. If you do not answer all of the required questions, your DS-160 application will not be processed. Also, make sure you answer all questions in English.
When you finish answering all the questions, re-read your answers carefully, so you do not make mistakes.
Sign your application electronically by clicking on the “Sign Application” button.
Once you have checked your answers and signed your application, you can submit it. Once submitted, you will see a confirmation page on your screen with a barcode.
Technical Requirements
According to the Department of State, your internet browser must meet the following requirements to fill out your DS-160 form successfully. The website is designed to run best on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox, it may not be fully supported on Safari web browsers, so make sure you have one of the eligible browsers on your computer before getting started with the DS-160 F-1 visa paperwork.
Mandatory Documents
The most important document to have is your Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. An I-20 is provided by the Designated School Official (DSO) when an international student gets accepted into a program. When international students receive their form I-20 official paperwork from their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, they can then begin the DS-160 F-1 visa application process.
See a sample I-20 form >
Here is a list of the documents and information required to complete your DS-160 form before you can be issued your student visa.
A valid passport: You will need a valid passport to enter the United States, but you will also need one to complete your DS-160 form.
Your SEVIS ID: Your I-20 will have your Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) ID located in the top left corner. See the sample form above for where to find your SEVIS ID.
Your travel itinerary: If you have already made your plans for travel to the United States, have them with you (but it is OK to use approximate dates). Make sure you have your I-20 details and your program end date as well.
US travel history: Have you been to the United States before? If so, you will have to include the dates of your last five visits to the United States, and in addition, you may need your international travel history from the five years previous to your application for a visa.
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV): You should not have to submit your resume or CV, but you will be asked about your employment and training history, so it will be helpful to have when you are applying for an F-1 student visa.
Digital photo: According to the Department of State, you can submit your digital passport-style photo during the application process. (You can review the complete list of photo requirements in advance.)
Other information you may need: Depending on your home country and consulate, you may need additional information for your DS-160, such as bank account statements and social media account information. Additional information for your DS-160 visa form could be requested prior to or during your interview, so be sure to have these documents handy. That way, you will be ready if they ask during the F-1 visa interview.
DS-160 Form Fees
The fees for DS-160 form is $185, which covers the cost of submitting your DS-160 application to the US government. This fee is separate from the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee that you pay to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The good news is that you do not have to pay for your visa interview — the next step after submitting your DS-160 form. That cost is covered in the $185 you will pay with your DS-160 application for your F-1 visa.
DS-160 Form Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where Can I Find the DS-160 Form?
You can access the DS-160 full form on the Consular Electronic Application Center website.
Can I Answer in My Native Language?
You must answer the questions on the DS-160 in English; however, translations are available in drop-down menus that can help you through the process.
Are All the Questions Mandatory?
Most questions are mandatory and must be answered, but you can leave spaces blank when the questions are marked “optional.” You can also answer a question with “Does Not Apply,” when that question does not apply to you; however, all other questions must be answered, following the instructions closely. If you do not answer all of the required questions, your DS-160 application will not be processed.
How Long Does a DS-160 Form Take To Process?
Once you submit your DS-160 application online, you will need to print out the screen with your completed DS-160 barcode. Take the printed barcode with you to your visa application interview appointment.
Remember, while you have completed the DS-160 portion of the visa application process, you still have to pass the in-person interview at your local embassy or consulate. Make sure to schedule your F-1 visa interview as soon as possible, as delays can last weeks.
Find additional resources for international students who want to study in the US >
Most embassies and consulate offices also offer expedited or rush interview scheduling if your program start date listed is before you can reasonably make it to the United States. Make sure you research interview wait times and rush interview options as early as possible in the F-1 visa interview process.
Are you ready to join more than one million international students who are studying for a degree in the US? Apply to a Shorelight university today >
