Installment One Hundred and Six
The online DS-160 application is the method all applicants use to apply for visitor’s visas to the US. On October 31, this system was upgraded. The upgrade enables applicants to “continue” an in-progress application if they need to exit the DS-160 to gather additional information before completing the form or if they receive an early “time out” or error during completion of the DS-160.
How will I be able to access my application?
Applicants will have the ability to save a partially completed application and retrieve it by entering the application ID and providing identification information.
Will I be able to get back my application if I have connection problems?
Applicants who lose connections with their DS- 160 can recover their partially completed applications from the database by entering the application ID and providing identification information.
What if I want to access an old application?
If you are attempting to retrieve a DS-160 application that was created in an earlier version, you should enter the barcode or confirmation number into the Application ID field. DS-160 applications started prior to April 1, 2010 cannot be retrieved.
Are there any changes to the application process?
In this new version, when starting a new DS-160, you will be provided with an application ID and will be required to select and answer a security question from a dropdown list before beginning your application. Remember your answer to the security question and the application ID, because you will need them to access your application again.
I made a mistake on my application, but submitted it by accident. Will I be able to fix this on my own?
The Embassy will be able to “reopen,” or unlock, a submitted DS-160 that requires correction. You will be able to retrieve the reopened DS-160 from the database by entering the application ID and providing identification information.
I submitted my application, but need to reprint the confirmation page. Is there any way to do that?
You will now be able to reprint your confirmation page by clicking on the “Retrieve Incomplete Application” button on the “Getting Started”
page of the application form.
For further information about the DS-160 form and this upgrade, please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” document posted on travel.state.gov.
Closing of the Diversity Visa lottery
Please note that as of November 3rd, the registration period for the Diversity Visa lottery was closed. No more entries will be accepted this year.
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“Ask the Consul” is a bi-weekly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. If you have a general question about visa policy please email it to us at AskGeorge@state.gov. We select questions every other week and publish the answers in Stabroek News and on our website at http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/ask-the-consul.html For more information about visas please see http:// www.unitedstatesvisas.gov or http:// georgetown.usembassy.gov/.
