The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has released a new version of Form DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application form used by all United States embassies and consulates. The previous DS-160 was plagued by system problems; the new version is supposed to resolve most of the problems associated with the old form. Of course, time will tell.

The new DS-160 now clarifies what DOS has been advising attorneys since the first DS-160 was released – that only the applicant may click the submit button. The main page of the Form DS-160 now clearly advises applicants that they must electronically sign and submit their own application, even if someone else helped them to complete the application. The new Form DS-160 also includes six new questions that relating to possible grounds of inadmissibility.

For further details regarding the new Form DS-160, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page for the new form.