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• Immigration

How To Find Your Travel Document Number on Visas, Passports, and Green Cards

Looking for your travel document number learn where to find it on various documents like visa, passport, and green card. find travel document number easily with these tips..

Key Takeaways:

• Travel Document Number is a unique code used for immigration and travel purposes, helping verify authenticity and track travel history.
• Travel Document Number can be found on visas, passports, green cards, and other identification documents.
• Keeping your Travel Document Number secure is crucial to preventing fraudulent use of personal information.

Understanding Your Travel Document Number

Navigating through the complexities of immigration documents can often be a daunting task, especially when you’re trying to find specific pieces of information like your Travel Document Number. Whether you’re applying for a visa, going through customs, or renewing your passport, knowing where to locate this vital number is crucial. So, what exactly is a travel document number, and where can you find it on various immigration documents?

What Is a Travel Document Number?

A Travel Document Number is a unique identifier assigned to a range of travel-related documents. It’s a string of digits (and sometimes letters) used to recognize your specific document for immigration or travel purposes. It serves as an identification code that helps immigration and border control authorities verify the authenticity of your document and track your travel history.

Finding Your Travel Document Number on a Visa

If you’re holding a visa, the Travel Document Number is often annotated as a visa number or control number. It’s one of the most critical pieces of information on this document because it can be used to retrieve your visa records.

Where to Look: – On a United States visa, you’ll find the Travel Document Number in the top right corner of the visa, labeled as the “Visa Number.” – For Schengen visas, it is usually located in the bottom right of the visa sticker, referred generally as the “Visa Code.”

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Remember that the location might vary depending on the country that has issued the visa, but it will always be clearly marked and distinguishable from other numbers.

Locating the Number on Your Passport

You passport is not just proof of your identity and nationality; it also contains your Travel Document Number, although it is commonly referred to as the “Passport Number.”

Where to Look: – The Travel Document Number can typically be found on the information page of your passport. This is the page with your photograph, name, date of birth, and the document’s expiration date. – Look for a series of numbers (and possibly letters) usually located at the top corner of the information page but can also be found at the bottom in some passports.

The number might be preceded by the country code of the issuing country which can consist of one or three letters.

Spotting the Number on a Green Card

For permanent residents of the United States, the Green Card holds the Travel Document Number, which is crucial for re-entry to the U.S. after travel abroad among other immigration processes.

Where to Look: – On newer versions of the Green Card ( Form I-551), the Travel Document Number is found on the front side and is labeled as the “USCIS #” or “Card #.” – This number is typically 13 characters long, beginning with three letters followed by a series of 10 numbers.

It’s important to differentiate this number from the Alien Registration Number (A-Number) which is also found on your green card and serves a different purpose.

Additional Documents Containing a Travel Document Number

Other travel-related documents like travel refugee documents, advance parole documents, and certain forms of identification may also contain a Travel Document Number.

Where to Look: – For travel refugee documents and advance parole , the number is usually on the top left corner on the face of the document. – For other forms of identification , like driver’s licenses or state IDs for example, the equivalent of a Travel Document Number would be the ID or license number.

Importance of Your Travel Document Number

“The Travel Document Number is a key piece in the puzzle of international travel documentation. It’s a unique fingerprint for your travel document that’s recognized globally. Tracking this number helps immigration control with verification processes at border entry points, as well as aiding travelers in retrieving their records and proving their identities,” quotes an immigration expert.

In administrative processes, you’ll often be required to provide your Travel Document Number. For example, if you’re completing the Form I-90 for a green card renewal, or engaging in travel where re-entry permits or your travel history are necessary for verification.

Keeping Your Travel Document Number Safe

Your Travel Document Number is sensitive personal information that should be kept secure. Just like other personally identifiable information, it can be used fraudulently if it falls into the wrong hands. Always be mindful of where and to whom you’re providing your Travel Document Number.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a new immigrant, or simply trying to maintain your immigration status, understanding where to find and how to use your Travel Document Number is vital. Keep this number at your fingertips and, most importantly, secure, as it is as vital to your travel identity as your name and date of birth.

For more information on travel documents and related immigration matters, you can visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport page or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for resources on visas and green cards. These official sources can provide authoritative guidance on any additional questions you may have regarding your immigration documents and their numbers.

Still Got Questions? Read Below to Know More

If i lose my passport while abroad, how do i recover my travel document number to get emergency travel documents.

If you lose your passport while abroad, the process to recover your Travel Document Number and obtain emergency travel documents typically involves the following steps:

• Report the Loss : Immediately report your lost passport to the local police and obtain a police report. This will be necessary when applying for a replacement or emergency travel document.
• Locate the Nearest Embassy or Consulate : Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the country you are in. They can help you with the next steps and inform you about the requirements for obtaining emergency travel documents.
• Provide Necessary Information : When you contact your embassy or consulate, they may ask for any information you have regarding your lost passport and Travel Document Number. If you don’t remember the number, they might be able to look it up using your personal details, such as your full name, date of birth, and place of birth.

It is a good practice to keep a photocopy or digital scan of your passport separate from the physical passport itself when traveling abroad. This can help expedite the process, as it may contain your Travel Document Number and other identifying information. If you don’t have these details, embassy or consulate staff may still be able to assist you by accessing their records.

“Embassies and consulates can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to help you return home if your passport is lost or stolen. To apply for an ETD, you will usually be required to prove your identity, complete an application form, and provide a passport photo.”

For country-specific information and procedures, visit the official government or embassy website of your home country. Here are some examples for reference: – United States: U.S. Department of State – Passports – United Kingdom: GOV.UK – Overseas British passport applications – Canada: Government of Canada – Lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports

Remember, always keep the embassy contact details handy, as they are your primary resource for assistance in such situations.

What should I do if there’s a typo in the Travel Document Number on my immigration paperwork?

If you have discovered a typo in the Travel Document Number on your immigration paperwork, it is important to address the error promptly to avoid any potential issues with your travel or immigration process. Here’s what you should do:

• Contact the Issuing Authority : As soon as you notice the typo, reach out to the issuing authority of the document. This might be the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you are dealing with U.S. immigration paperwork, or the equivalent authority in another country if the mistake is on documentation for a different destination. You can contact USCIS by phone at their National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) or use the appropriate contact method for other countries’ immigration services.

Submit a Request for Correction : You may need to fill out a form or submit a written request for the document to be corrected. For example, for USCIS, use the “Typographical Error” option on the e-Request page to report errors on a notice you received. If your request pertains to a visa or a document related to entry into another country, follow their specific procedures for document corrections.

Provide Supporting Documentation : Include evidence of the correct information when you request the correction. This might be a copy of your passport, birth certificate, or other official documentation that clearly shows the accurate Travel Document Number.

Here is a link to the USCIS e-Request service, where you can report a typographical error:

USCIS e-Request Service

Remember, it’s crucial to provide detailed information regarding the typo and to act quickly to ensure your immigration process remains on track. If you’re not sure about the process or require further assistance, consider seeking help from an immigration lawyer or an accredited representative.

Will my Travel Document Number change if I renew my visa or is it assigned for life?

When you renew your visa, you may receive a new Travel Document Number, also known as the passport number. This number is not assigned for life and typically changes each time you get a new passport. The Travel Document Number is unique to each passport, so when your passport is renewed or replaced due to expiration, damage, or loss, the issuing authority will give you a passport with a new number.

Here’s what you need to know about Travel Document Numbers:

• Visa Stickers: If you have a visa sticker in your passport, the Travel Document Number on your visa will match your current passport number. When you renew your visa, the visa sticker will have a new Travel Document Number corresponding to your new passport.
• Electronic Visas: For electronic visas, such as the U.S. ESTA, you must update your information with the new passport number if you get a new passport, as your authorization is linked to a specific passport number.

Keep in mind that visas and passports are different documents. A visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport or an electronic authorization tied to your passport number, granting you permission to enter, leave, or stay in a particular country for a specified period. A passport is an official travel document issued by your country that certifies your identity and nationality.

For the most accurate and updated information, you should check with the official immigration website of the country you are planning to visit. For U.S. visas and travel documents, the U.S. Department of State’s website is a reliable resource: U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs .

In summary, your Travel Document Number will change when you renew your passport and, consequently, when you renew your visa to match the new passport. Always ensure your travel documents are up-to-date before traveling.

Can family members share the same Travel Document Number if they’re traveling together?

Typically, family members cannot share the same Travel Document Number when traveling together as each traveler needs to have a unique document issued in their own name. A Travel Document Number is a unique identifier for an individual’s travel document, such as a passport, which is required to track and manage their crossings and stays in different countries.

For example, in the United States, each traveler must present their own passport or other approved travel document when entering or exiting the country. This number is used in various forms and applications, including visa applications and arrival/departure records (Form I-94).

The U.S. Department of State states that “A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States… is required for U.S. visas.”

However, children listed on a parent’s passport may be an exception in some circumstances, depending on the country’s rules from which the passport is issued, as some countries allow children to be included on a parent’s passport. But even in those cases, the parent and the child listed would still be seen as holding distinct travel document numbers for purposes of identification and processing by authorities.

For the most current and authoritative information regarding travel documents and procedures, always refer to official government websites, such as the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) or the official immigration service of your destination country.

For a job application, they’re asking for identification numbers; is it safe to give my employer my Travel Document Number from my visa?

When filling out a job application, it’s not uncommon for employers to request identification numbers to verify your eligibility to work in the country. However, it’s important to distinguish between different types of identification numbers and understand what’s safe to provide.

Your Travel Document Number , which is found on your visa, is used primarily for entry and exit tracking by immigration services and isn’t usually needed for domestic purposes, such as a job application. Instead, employers typically ask for your Social Security number (SSN) or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) number if you are authorized to work in the country but do not have an SSN. Here’s what you should generally provide: – For U.S. citizens or permanent residents : Social Security number. – For non-citizens who are authorized to work : EAD number, which comes from the employment authorization document provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Or your Visa Sponsorship employment details if applicable.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides a list of acceptable documents for proving eligibility to work in the I-9 form found here . Before providing any personal information, make sure you are sharing it through secure channels and with a verified employer. As a best practice, do not share more personal information than necessary and certainly not until you are confident with the legitimacy of the request.

If you have any doubts, you can always ask the employer why they need the travel document number and how they plan to use it to ensure it is for a legitimate purpose or check with an immigration attorney or the immigration authority in the country where you are applying for a job. For questions related to U.S. immigration and employment, USCIS is the authoritative source for information and can be found at USCIS.gov .

Learn Today:

Immigration Documents: Official documents that are required for immigration purposes such as visas, passports, green cards, travel refugee documents, advance parole documents, and forms of identification.

Travel Document Number: A unique identifier assigned to various travel-related documents used for immigration or travel purposes. It helps immigration and border control authorities verify the authenticity of the document and track the traveler’s travel history. The Travel Document Number may also be referred to as a visa number, control number, passport number, USCIS #, or Card # depending on the document.

Visa Number: The Travel Document Number on a visa. It is used to retrieve visa records and is located in different places depending on the country that issued the visa.

Information Page: The page in a passport that contains the traveler’s photograph, name, date of birth, and passport expiration date. The Travel Document Number can usually be found on this page.

Passport Number: The Travel Document Number on a passport. It is used to identify the passport holder and can be found on the information page of the passport.

Green Card: A permanent resident card issued by the United States that grants an individual the right to live and work in the country. The Green Card contains a Travel Document Number, labeled as the “USCIS #” or “Card #,” which is important for various immigration processes.

Alien Registration Number (A-Number): A unique identifier assigned to individuals who are immigrants in the United States. It is found on the Green Card but serves a different purpose than the Travel Document Number.

Advance Parole: A document that allows certain individuals who are in the process of adjusting their immigration status to travel outside the United States and return.

Driver’s License/ID Number: The equivalent of a Travel Document Number on other forms of identification such as driver’s licenses or state IDs. It is used to identify the individual and can vary depending on the issuing authority.

Sensitive Personal Information: Personal information that, if obtained by unauthorized individuals, could be used for fraudulent purposes or identity theft.

Form I-90: The application form used to renew or replace a Green Card.

Re-Entry Permit: A document that allows a permanent resident of the United States to travel abroad for an extended period without abandoning their permanent resident status.

Verification: The process of confirming the authenticity and validity of a document or information provided.

U.S. Department of State: The federal department in the United States responsible for handling foreign affairs and issuing travel documents such as passports.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that oversees immigration and naturalization in the United States. They handle visa applications, green cards, and other immigration-related matters.

Resources: Official sources of information, websites, or organizations that provide authoritative guidance and information on specific topics. In the context of immigration, resources can include the U.S. Department of State’s passport page and the USCIS website.

So, there you have it! Understanding your Travel Document Number doesn’t have to be a headache. From visas to passports and green cards, knowing where to find this crucial identifier is key. And if you want to dive deeper into the world of immigration and travel documents, be sure to check out visaverge.com for more helpful tips and information. Happy travels!

This Article in a Nutshell:

Understanding your Travel Document Number is crucial when navigating immigration documents. It’s a unique identifier used for travel purposes. On visas, it may be labeled as a visa number or control number. On passports, it’s commonly referred to as the passport number. Green cards also have a Travel Document Number. Keep it secure!

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How to fill in the Application for National Visa Form – Spain

Let’s take a closer look at sections 10-19

10. Only answer this if you are under 18 years of age. Otherwise, write N/A .

11. Only answer this if you have a Spanish National Identity Document Number. If not, write N/A .

12. Check here the type of travel document you will be using. The majority of students will use an Ordinary Passport .

13. Write here the official number of your travel document. Passport numbers are stated clearly on the same page of your passport as your photo and personal details (usually in the top right corner).

14 & 15. Date of issue and Valid until dates will be stated clearly on your travel document. Date of issue may be stated as Valid from and Valid until may be stated as Expiration date .

16. Write here the place your travel document was issued. This will also be stated on your travel document. For example, US Department of State .

17. Here you should state your home contact address, email, and telephone.

18. Please check this section according to whether you reside in your home country (the country of your nationality) or another country. If you are living abroad, you should also give details of your residence document there.

19. In this section you should state your current job role. If you are studying and not employed, please state Student .

Application for National Visa Form Spain: Page 2

20. State here the main reason for moving to Spain. If you wish to study in Spain , check Studies .

21. For the Date of intended entry you should state the date that you will be entering Spain. The intended date of entry in Spain should not be over 10 days from the beginning of your studies. Student visas are usually issued to start approximately 10 days prior to the first day of studies.

22. Number of entries requested refers to the number of times you wish to leave and return to Spain within the duration of your Visa.

23. Here you should state the address in Spain where you are planning to stay. Some Consulates will ask for proof that your address in Spain has been formally organized.

24. If you already have a Spanish Foreign National Identity Number (NIE) you should state that number here.

25. If you already have a Date of notification of decision , you should state the date here.

26. You should complete this section if you are applying for your Visa for a Family reunion . If this is the case, you will complete the details of your relative already living in Spain. If this is not the case, you can write N/A .

27. You should complete this section if you are applying for your Visa to work in Spain . If this is the case, you will complete the details of your employer or contact with a company in Spain. If this is not the case, you can write N/A.

Application for National Visa Form Spain: Page 3

28. You should complete this section if you are applying for a Student or Research Visa . You should provide the name, address, and telephone of your Educational establishment or research centre , along with the start and finish dates for your studies or research. The second half of this section applies to anyone under 18. If you are under 18 you will need to complete this section, stating the name and details of the adult in Spain assisting you, if you are over 18 you can write N/A .

Application for National Visa Form Spain: Pages 4 & 5

Application for National Visa Form Spain: Terms & Conditions

As you can see Pages 4 & 5 contain lots of important information related to data usage and decision times and notification for Visas that you should read through carefully.

When you are happy that everything is in order you should complete the final two sections 27 & 28 which require you to state the Date and place you have completed your Application for National Visa Form Spain and your signature.

You can either print off your form and sign using a black pen or you can upload a signature that you have previously scanned or use the Fill & Sign facility of PDF documents to sign digitally using your computer, tablet, or phone.

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What Is a Travel Document Number?

If you plan to travel abroad, you’ll need a lot more than your belongings. You’ll need valid identification based on the country you’re traveling through or to. Every country differs, and the documentation you’ll need may vary, but one thing they all have in common is the travel document number.

Whether you carry a passport, visa, or other federal ID, each document has a travel document number. This is the number the government uses to ensure the document is valid and not fake.

Government agencies use these numbers to track tourists, keep the borders safe, and identify you as a traveler, ensuring you’re eligible to travel abroad.

Types of Travel Documents 

Before you travel, it’s important to find out what type of travel documents you need. Here are the most common.

Most people know what a passport is. It allows you to travel from your citizen country to countries abroad. It identifies you no matter which country you travel to as it’s a universally used document. 

You’ll use the passport to get through customs both in your home country and when you arrive at your destination. Your passport is often the first step to getting a visa if a visa is required to enter the country you plan to travel to. Even if you aren’t sure if you’ll need a visa or not, start with the passport as it’s the first step.

The Passport Travel Document Number

Every passport has a travel document number. You can find it in the top right-hand corner of the passport. It’s a 9-digit number, and no two passports have the same number.

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Since a passport isn’t enough to visit every country, you may need a visa too. A visa is required to visit countries where you aren’t a citizen and passports aren’t accepted. In the United States, the USCIS determines who gets a visa to come into the United States. 

A visa is more detailed than a passport. It tells you what you’re allowed to do when you’re in a foreign country and how long you’re allowed to stay. To get a visa, you must get it from the country’s consulate you plan to visit, but in the United States. 

Before you apply for the visa, think about why you need it. Will you work in a foreign country or will you be a tourist? There are different types of visas based on your intentions. The visa process can take a while, so make sure you have all supporting documentation and pay close attention to the dates of your interview or other important dates.

To apply for a visa, you’ll need the visa application, which you can usually find online , your passport, application fee, and photo. You may also need to provide a reason for your trip and prove you have the finances to cover the cost of the trip. 

At the visa interview, you’ll answer questions and provide your fingerprints (usually digitally). If there’s further documentation needed, you’ll find out then. Otherwise, you should receive your visa shortly afterward.

The Visa Travel Document Number

You’ll find the Visa travel document number easily because it’s usually in a different color than the rest of the visa. In the United States, it’s on the lower right corner. 

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After you have a visa, you’ll need a Green Card if you want to become a permanent US resident. The USCIS issues the Green Card upon approval. However, you’ll still need a passport since Green Card holders aren’t citizens. A Green Card may make it easier to travel back and forth from your birth country to the US, smoothing the process along.

To apply for a Green Card, first, determine your eligibility and then complete application I-485. Like the visa, the USCIS will schedule an interview and determine your eligibility. 

The Green Card Travel Document Number

You can find your Green Card travel document number on the back of the Green Card. 

Related Article |  What Green Card Interview Questions Should You Expect?

What Is a Travel Document Number FAQ

Here are the most frequently asked questions about travel document numbers.

Is a Travel Document a Passport or Visa?

A travel document is any document you need to cross borders. In the case of traveling to the US from another country, you need a passport and a visa. The visa is a document inside your passport that provides more details and freedoms for your time in the US.

Who Needs a Travel Document?

Anyone traveling internationally will need some type of travel document. If you’re traveling to a tourist destination, a passport may be enough, but a visa may be necessary if you’re traveling anywhere to work or live for any length of time.

How Early Should You Apply for Travel Documents?

The USCIS website estimates how long each document may take but always err on the side of caution. On average, expect to wait at least a few months for any document.

Is a Passport Number the Same as a Travel Document Number? 

Yes, your passport number is your travel document number. You don’t have to know it or memorize it, but if you have a passport card and a passport booklet, understand that the two numbers will be different as each number is unique to the document.

How Much Does a Passport Cost?

The type of passport you need determines the cost. A US passport card is $30, a passport booklet is $110, and both are $140.

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The Bottom Line

Don’t leave home without your travel documents. While you don’t need to memorize your travel document number, just make sure you have the correct documentation for your destination. Getting your travel documents isn’t something you can do last minute - it takes plenty of preparation and time to get the documents you need. 

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What is a U.S. Visa?

About Visas - The Basics

Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents

Your Rights and Protections

Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers

Advisory Opinions

Fees for Visa Services

Treaty Countries

Fees and Reciprocity Tables

Temporary Reciprocity Schedule

Country Acronyms

Reciprocity: What's New? 2019 Archive

Reciprocity: What's New? 2022 Archive

Reciprocity: What's New? 2020 Archive

Reciprocity: What's New? 2021 Archive

Reciprocity: What's New?

Reciprocity: What's New? 2023 Archive

Safety & Security of U.S. Borders: Biometrics

National Visa Center Customer Service Pledge

Americans Traveling Abroad

The United States and China Agree to Extending Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students

Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306

Capitalizing on Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth in the United States

Congressional Testimony

Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CRFP) Program Appointments

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates - K1-K3 Visas

U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)

Skill List by Country

Presidential Proclamation 9645 and the January 2020 Presidential Proclamation

Public Inquiry Form

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Affidavit of Support Fee Refund

Immigrant Visa Prioritization

USCIS Extends Suspension of Premium Processing Service for Religious Workers (R-1) Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

Record Numbers of U.S. Students Are Studying Abroad

U.S. Student Visas Reach Record Numbers in 2007

U.S. security officials will begin scanning all 10 fingerprints of most non-Americans traveling to the United States

Electronic Submission of Diversity Visa Lottery Applications

USCIS Centralizes Filing for H-2A Petitions

USCIS Field Office Adopts Teletech Call Appointment System For Filing Waiver of Inadmissibility Applications

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase on January 1, 2008

Senior Advisors to Brief Press on the Latest Developments in Iraqi Refugee and Special Immigrant Visa Issues

Briefing on Developments in the Iraqi Refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Admissions Programs

DHS Proposes Changes to Improve H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program

Testimony of Stephen A. “Tony” Edson on U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, House Committee on Science and Technology

Update: Biometric Changes for Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

With All the Talk about Illegal Immigration, a Look at the Legal Kind

Latvia, Estonia Sign Deals with US on Visa-Free Travel

Fact Sheet: Changes to the FY2009 H-1B Program

USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas

USCIS Releases Preliminary Number of FY 2009 H-1B Cap Filings

USCIS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Change to H-2A Program

USCIS Runs Random Selection Process for H-1B Petitions

17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly Skilled Foreign Students

DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints from International Visitors at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Enters into Force

USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions Sent to California or Vermont Service Centers Temporary Accommodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative

USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity

USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status

Immigration Tops Agenda at North American Summit

USCIS Issues Guidance for Approved Violence against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners

USCIS Modifies Application for Employment Authorization Previous Versions of Form I-765 Accepted until July 8, 2008

Overseas Education More Attainable for Chinese Students

New York Business Group Seeks Fewer Restrictions on Foreign Worker Visas

Completing the DS-160

Important Notice:  Take care to answer all questions on the DS-160 accurately and completely; otherwise, you may have to correct your application and reschedule your visa interview appointment.

Electronically submitting your DS-160 online application is only the first step in the visa application process. Once you have electronically submitted your DS-160 online application, you must contact the embassy or consulate at which you wish to apply to confirm whether you need to be interviewed by a consular officer, and to schedule an interview. You can find a list of U.S. embassies and consulates  here , with links to their websites where you can find information about scheduling a visa interview appointment.  If the embassy or consulate at which you apply informs that you must have a visa interview, the visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer.

Accessing the DS-160

Where can i find the ds-160.

Access the DS-160 here, by clicking:  Consular Electronic Application Center website .

You may wish to preview a sample DS-160 (10.1MB) before beginning.

I am having problems accessing the DS-160.

Use only Internet Explorer 11 or higher, Firefox, or Google Chrome 58 when completing your appplication. Safari and Microsoft Edge are not supported .

What documents do I need to have with me while I complete the DS-160?

You should have the following documents available while you complete your DS-160:

• Travel itinerary , if you have already made travel arrangements.
• Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States , if you have previously travelled to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years. 
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae  - You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history. 
• Other Information  - Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160.

Some applicants will need to have additional information and documents handy while completing the DS-160:

• Students and Exchange Visitors (F, J, and M) : You will be asked to provide your SEVIS ID, which is printed on your  I-20 or DS-2019 , so you should have this form available when completing your DS-160. You also will be asked to provide the address of the school/program at which you intend to study. This information should also be on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. 
• Petition-based Temporary Workers (H-1B, H-2, H-3, CW1, L, O, P, R, E2C):  You should have a copy of your  I-129  available when completing your DS-160. 
• Other Temporary Workers:  You will be asked for information about your employer, including the employer’s address, while completing your DS-160.

Can my answers be in my native language?

No. All answers  must be in English, using English characters only,  except when you are asked to provide your full name in your native alphabet. Applications submitted in any language other than English will be denied, and you may be required to submit a new application.

While you must answer all questions in English, translations of questions are available in many languages from the drop-down menu in the right upper corner of the application. These translations should assist you in completing the form in English.

Are all questions on the DS-160 mandatory?

Most questions are mandatory and must be answered in the spaces provided. You may leave spaces blank when the questions are marked “optional.” You may answer a question with “Does Not Apply,” when that question does not apply to you; however, all other questions must be answered. The system  will not  allow you to submit an application with any mandatory questions left unanswered. If you do not complete a mandatory question, the system will display an error message and require you to answer the question before continuing with the application. If you do not answer questions that apply to your circumstances and/or purpose of travel, the system will not accept your application.

Are additional forms required?

No. The online DS-160 application replaced the DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.  NOTE : In addition to the DS-160, Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa applicants also must complete an additional form (see the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor, E Visa Applicants  section below for more information). 

What happens to my DS-160 if I select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate where I will be applying for my visa, but end up making an interview appointment instead at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate?

The Embassy or Consulate at which you actually apply should be able to access your form using the barcode on your DS-160 confirmation page, which you must bring to the visa interview. For example, a business traveler intends to apply for his visa at the U.S. Embassy in City X, so he selects City X as the location where he will submit his application when he completes his DS-160. He then has an urgent reason to travel to City Y on business. Because there is a U.S. Consulate in City Y, he schedules an appointment for a visa interview there, using the barcode from his completed DS-160 application for appointment scheduling. The U.S. Consulate in City Y is able to accept his DS-160 even though it lists the U.S. Embassy in City X as the location where he originally intended to submit his application.

Completing Specific DS-160 Questions

How do i sign the ds-160 form.

You electronically sign your DS-160 by clicking the “Sign Application” button at the end of the form. Failure to sign may result in termination of the application. Your electronic signature certifies that you have read and understood the questions in the application and that your answers are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief. The submission of an application containing any false or misleading statements may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States. All declarations made in the application are unsworn declarations made under penalty of perjury.

Unless you are exempted from appearing in person, your fingerprints will be electronically scanned on the day of your interview. By providing your fingerprints, you will again certify that that you have answered all questions on the DS-160 truthfully and to the best of your knowledge, and that you will tell the truth during your visa interview. You will be directed to read the following statement prior to having your fingerprints scanned:

“By submitting my fingerprint, I am certifying under penalty of perjury that I have read and understood the questions in my visa application and that all statements that appear in my visa application have been made by me and are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Furthermore, I certify under penalty of perjury that I will tell the truth during my interview and that all statements made by me during my interview will be complete to the best of my ability.”

Can a third party complete the form on my behalf? Who is exempt from signing the form?

If an applicant is illiterate or unable to complete the application, the applicant must be assisted by a third party. The third party must be identified on the “Sign and Submit” page of the application. While the third party can assist the applicant in completing the application, he or she must instruct the applicant on how to endorse the application on his or her own behalf by clicking the “Sign Application” button.

If the applicant is under the age of 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, the applicant’s parents or guardian may complete and click the “Sign Application” button on his or her behalf. If the applicant has no parent or legal guardian, then the application may be completed by any person having legal custody of, or a legitimate interest in, the applicant.

The DS-160 contains terms that I am not familiar with. Are these terms explained?

Explanations of the following terms contained in the online DS-160 form are available to you as help topics while you complete the DS-160 and are also provided below. 

Help: Surnames

Enter all surnames (or family names) exactly as they are written in your passport. If only one name is written in your passport, enter that as your “Surname.”

Help: Given Names

If your passport does not include a first or given name, please enter 'FNU' (meaning “first name unknown”) in the space for “Given Names.”

Help: Other Names

Other names used include your maiden name, religious name, professional name, or any other name by which you are or have been known.

Make sure to enter the other names you have used in full.  Thus, if you have only used another surname, enter it along with your usual given name. If you have only used another given name, enter it along with your usual surname.

Help: Telecode

Telecodes are four-digit code numbers that represent characters in some non-Roman alphabet names.

Help: Date of Birth

Enter as shown in your passport.

Help: Place of Birth

Please choose the name currently used for the place where you were born.

Help: Phone

You must provide a primary phone number. The primary phone number should be the phone number at which you are most likely to be reached; this could be a land line or a cellular/mobile number. If you have an additional land line or a cellular/mobile number please list that as your secondary phone number. 

Help: Identification Numbers

Your National ID Number is a unique number that your government may have provided. For example, the U.S. Government gives unique numbers to people looking to work or who pay taxes.

Help: Other Nationality

Enter all nationalities you currently hold and all nationalities you have previously held (including United States, if applicable), regardless of whether you have formally and/or legally relinquished the nationality. If the country where you previously held nationality no longer exists, choose the name of the country that is currently used for that location. (For example, if you used to be a citizen of the former East Germany, choose “Germany.”)

Help:  Permanent Resident

Permanent resident means any individual who has been legally granted by a country/region permission to live and work without time limitation in that country/region.

Help: Passport/Travel Document Number

Enter the number of the passport or travel document you will use to travel to the United States. This passport/document must still be valid, and must identify you and your nationality.

Help: Passport Book Number

The Passport Book Number is commonly called the inventory control number. You may or may not have a Passport Book Number on your passport. If you do, the location of the Passport Book Number on your passport may vary depending on the country that issued your passport. Please contact your passport issuing authority if you are unable to determine whether or not your passport contains a Passport Book Number.

Help: Expiration Date

In most cases your passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months after your arrival in the United States.

Help: Application Receipt/Petition Number

If you are applying for a petition-based visa, your application receipt/petition number was given to you by the Department of Homeland Security’s U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after you filed your petition application at a USCIS Service Center. The application receipt/petition number is 13 characters long and the first three characters are letters.

Help: Previous Employer

Please enter information regarding your previous two employers only. Applicants may choose to bring along a separate written list of  all  previous employers to the visa interview for reference.

Saving Your DS-160 and Returning to a Partially Completed DS-160

How can i save my application can i stop in the middle of the application and return to it later.

You can save your application or return to a partially completed application. When you begin a new DS-160, you will be issued a unique application identification (ID) number after selecting and answering a security question. Once you have your application ID number and have selected and answered a security question, you may exit the DS-160 application and return to it later.  You must have your application ID to return to your application .   To save your DS-160 to the Consular Electronic Application Center website, click the “Next” button at the bottom of each page you complete.  You have 30 days to return to a partially completed application . To access your application after 30 days, you must save it to your computer hard drive or a disk, as explained in the  FAQ  below.

How do I save my DS-160 application to my computer hard drive or a disk?

Saving to a hard drive or disk  will allow you to access your application after 30 days . To permanently save your application to your computer hard drive or a disk, select the “Save Application to File” button. Then, click the “Save” button on the File Download window. Identify a place on your computer to save the application, browse to that location, and click the “Save” button on the “Save As” window. The system will download your application to the specified location. Once the download is complete, you can click “Close” to return to the live application on our website.  Note:  Applications saved to the hard drive of a public or shared computer or memory device could likely be accessed by anyone else who uses the computer or device after you.

I apply for U.S. visas often. Can I reuse the DS-160?

Yes, you can use information from a previously submitted DS-160 to populate some fields on a new form. There are two ways that you can do this. First, if you plan to apply for a visa in the future, save your DS-160 to your hard drive or a disk using the instructions in the  FAQ  above. When you go to apply for your new visa you can then select “Option B-Upload a Previously Saved Application” on the Getting Started page. Alternately, if your previous visa application was submitted after November 1, 2010, you can select “Option C-Retrieve Application,” enter your previous visa application ID, and then hit “Create a New Application.” Your personal information will then populate the form. Be careful to check that all previously submitted information is current and accurate.

What if I lose my internet connection, the application “times out,” or I receive an error? Will my application be lost?

Why did the edits i made from the review page "edit" link not save.

In order for data changes made from the review page links to save, you must use the buttons at the bottom of each page to navigate, instead of the browser's back/forward buttons or the buttons along the side of the screen.

Uploading a Photo to Your DS-160

I understand that i can upload a photo with my application. how do i get a digital photo that will successfully upload to my application.

Please refer to the  Photograph Requirements  for detailed guidance.

The confirmation page has an "X" in the box where the photo should be. What does that mean?

That means that the photo upload failed. Therefore, you should submit one printed photograph meeting our requirements, along with the online DS-160 confirmation page, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at which you plan to apply for your visa.  Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying for specific instructions on how to do this.  See the print photo format found in the  Photograph Requirements  for more information. If the confirmation page includes a photo image, then the photo upload function was successful and no separate print photograph is required.

Correcting Answers on a Submitted DS-160

The u.s. embassy or consulate where i went for my visa interview denied my application because my ds-160 contained errors or was incomplete. what does this mean and what do i need to do next.

DS-160 applications submitted before April 1, 2010  cannot be reopened, and therefore, you must complete and submit a new DS-160.

The Embassy or Consulate should reopen your DS-160 submitted after April 1, 2010 if your application is denied for this reason and ask you to correct it , as explained below:

• DS-160 applications submitted on or after November 1, 2010: Enter your application ID  number and answer additional questions as prompted to access and correct your application. 
• DS-160 applications submitted on or after April 1, 2010, but before November 1, 2010: Enter your barcode or confirmation number into the Application ID field  and answer additional questions as prompted to access and correct your application.

After I have corrected or completed my DS-160 application, do I need to schedule a new appointment or return to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate?

Ds-160 confirmation page, should i bring my entire application or just the confirmation page with me to the interview.

You are not required to bring your entire application. For your interview, you  are  required to bring your confirmation page with your application ID number on it so we can retrieve your DS-160. You must bring the confirmation page with you during all phases of the application process. Without the confirmation page, we may not be able to process your visa case.

I submitted my online DS-160 application, but lost my confirmation page. Can I print a new one?

Yes, you can reprint the confirmation page of an application that has already been submitted. In order to do so, go into the  Consular Electronic Application Center website  and select the Embassy or Consulate at which you are applying. Hit “Option C-Retrieve Application” on the Getting Started page and enter your application ID number. From there you will be able to view and print your confirmation page.

Family/Group Applications

I am traveling with my family or as part of a group. can i create a family or group application.

Yes. When you select “Email Confirmation” on your Confirmation Page, you will be directed to a “Thank You” page. On the “Thank You” page you will see an option to create a family or group application. When you select this option, certain information from your application, such as destination, will automatically be imported to and displayed on a new application. Please note that if you use this option you must create an individual application for each family member or for each individual within the group.

If I use the option on the "Thank You" page to create a family or group application, can I modify the data automatically populated by the system?

Yes. If one of the dependents has a different surname or nationality, for example, you can alter that data before submitting the application.

Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor, E Visa Applicants

I am applying for a treaty trader/treaty investor, e visa. do i need to fill out the ds-160 and the ds-156e.

It depends. If you are a Treaty Investor (E-2) applicant, you need only complete the DS-160. If you are a Treaty Trader (E-1) or an Executive/Manager/Essential Employee (E-1 or E-2), you must complete the DS-160, and you or your employer must complete the paper  DS-156E  form.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report

Global Visa Wait Times

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Travel Documents

If you wish to return to the United States lawfully after traveling outside the United States, you generally must have a:

• Valid entry document, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or nonimmigrant visa; or
• Valid and unexpired travel document.

The type of document you need varies depending on your immigration status (including lawful permanent resident status) or if you have a pending immigration benefit request.

You generally need to apply for and obtain a travel document before you leave the United States. Before planning travel, please consider USCIS processing times . If you have an urgent need to travel outside the United States, see our Expedite Request and  Emergency Travel  pages for additional information.

File  Form I-131, Application for Travel Document , to request travel documents, including:

• Advance parole document for noncitizens in the United States seeking to return after temporary travel abroad (including advance permission to travel for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term residents);
• Refugee travel document;
• Reentry permit; or
• Temporary Protected Status travel authorization.

If you are already outside the United States and need to return, but do not have your reentry permit, Green Card, advance parole document, or Temporary Protected Status travel authorization document because it was lost, stolen, or destroyed, see Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation.

NOTE:  If you file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to request an advance parole document to authorize your return to the United States after temporary travel abroad and  you depart the United States before we issue your advance parole document, we will consider your Form I-131 application abandoned unless you were previously issued an advance parole document that remains valid for the entire time you are outside the United States.

Travel outside of the United States may have severe immigration-related consequences.

Admission or parole into the United States is not guaranteed even if you have the appropriate documents. You are still subject to immigration inspection or examination at a port of entry to determine whether you may be admitted or paroled into the country and whether you are eligible for the immigration status you seek.

Additional cautions for people in certain circumstances are summarized below.

If you are a nonimmigrant

If you have been admitted as a nonimmigrant and have filed Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , to change to a different nonimmigrant status, we generally will consider your Form I-539 abandoned if you leave the United States before we make a decision on your application, though there are some exceptions.  Having an advance parole document does not prevent abandonment of the change of status application. When you return to the United States, you are likely to be denied admission if your current status has expired.

If you have a pending Green Card application

In general, if you are applying for adjustment of status (a Green Card) and leave the United States without the appropriate travel documentation (for example, an advance parole document), you may not be allowed to reenter the United States when you return. Even if you are allowed to reenter, you may be found to have abandoned your pending application for adjustment of status.

If you have unlawful presence or a removal order

If you have accrued unlawful presence while in the United States or have a removal order, then you may be found inadmissible if you seek admission after a departure from the United States, even if you have a travel document.  We follow the Board of Immigration Appeals decision in Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly , which held that travel on advance parole does not constitute a “departure” for purposes of triggering the 10-year unlawful presence bar under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II) for applicants for adjustment of status. We also apply this analysis to INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(I) and to individuals with TPS who travel on TPS travel authorization.  For more information, please see  Section 212(a)(9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Unlawful Presence and Inadmissibility page. 

Advance parole allows you to travel back to the United States without applying for a visa. A transportation company (airlines) can accept an advance parole document instead of a visa as proof that you are authorized to travel to the United States. An advance parole document does not replace your passport.

Please note that having an advance parole document does not guarantee that you will be allowed to reenter the United States. At the airport or border, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make the final decision about whether to allow you to reenter the United States.

Advance parole is most commonly used when someone has a pending:

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status : If you depart the U.S. while your Form I-485 is pending without first obtaining advance parole, USCIS will deny your case unless you fit into a narrow exception for people with certain nonimmigrant statuses.
• Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal : If you are an asylum applicant and you intend to travel outside the United States and return, you must apply for and receive advance parole. If you leave the United States without first obtaining advance parole, we will assume that you have abandoned your asylum application.

For information on how to apply for advance parole, go to our Form I-131, Application for Travel Document page.

USCIS issues refugee travel documents to people with refugee or asylum status and to lawful permanent residents who obtained their Green Cards based on their refugee or asylee status.

You must have a refugee travel document to return to the United States if you:

• Have refugee or asylee status but are not a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder); or
• Are a derivative asylee or refugee.

If you do not obtain a refugee travel document before you leave the U.S., you may be unable to re-enter the United States or you may be placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

For information on how to apply for a refugee travel document, go to our Form I-131, Application for Travel Document page.

Permanent or conditional residents should apply for a re-entry permit if they will be outside the United States for one year or more. While it is valid, a re-entry permit allows you to apply for admission to the U.S. without having to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Go to our Form I-131, Application for Travel Document page for information on how to apply.

Travel authorization for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries allows you to travel back to the United States and, if you are eligible, be inspected and admitted into TPS. A transportation company (such as an airline) can accept a TPS travel authorization document instead of a visa as proof that you are authorized to travel to the United States. A TPS travel authorization document does not replace your passport.

Please note that having a TPS travel authorization document does not guarantee that you will be allowed to reenter the United States. At the airport or border, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make the final decision about whether to allow you to reenter the United States.

If we are still adjudicating your application for TPS and you wish to travel outside the United States, you may request advance parole.

For information on how to apply for TPS travel authorization, go to our Form I-131, Application for Travel Document , page.

Carrier documentation allows an airline or other transportation carrier to board permanent residents who have temporarily been outside the United States and whose Green Card or re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed. If you are a permanent resident in this situation, you may need to file a Form I-131A. Go to the Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) for more information.

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What is Passport Document Number And Travel Document Number?

Greetings friends,

If you are planning an international trip and confused about the all-important Passport document number, then this article is for you.

Travel excites all of us a lot, and if we travel to another country, this excitement increases even more. In order not to spoil our fun at all, it is important that we know all the documents used in the journey properly.

Otherwise, there will be a lot of problems when clearing customs and immigration from across the border, which will certainly help settle some nerves.

We will only assist with the main things, such as the travel document number and important documents required for the journey. These types of documents are an important part of your journey. Without it, you will not be allowed to cross any border.

Table of Contents

What Is A Travel Document Number?

A travel document number is a set of digits that assist each person in the journey and is found on the official document used for travel. This number can be found on passports, visas and other similar forms.

Travel documents are very important. The travel document number on each document helps to identify you and decide your eligibility to travel abroad.

US Passport:- Passports issued in the United States will have a combination of 6 to 9 characters. There are both letters and numbers.

US Visa:- This is an eight-character number. Of the eight numbers, seven are digits, while one is letter.

Green Card:- This 13-character document is another essential travel document. Three of them are letters, and ten are numbers.

Type Of Travel Documents

We must be aware of all the other documents which are required to be carried on the trip if we want to go out somewhere then all these documents are necessary. Below is a brief description of each type of travel document.

Passport :-

We all have passport s, and if not we have to get them done before traveling to another country because traveling without a passport is not possible.

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Your passport is the most important and famous travel document you have. You can apply for a passport in the country where you were born.

This key travel document helps identify you for travel related purposes. Let’s see why it is so valuable.

Why Your Passport is Important?

Passport works just like keys. Without this you will not be able to go abroad. You will need it to pass through Customs and Immigration in your country, and you will need it again to reach your desired county.

Obtaining a visa to enter a country is almost always necessary before going there. To be eligible for a visa, you must have a passport. If you do not bring your passport to your visa interview, you will not be accepted.

Some passports have more “authority” than others. The Henley Passport Index explains this in a very easy format. A Japanese passport entitles the holder to visa-free travel to 191 countries. Iraq passport, on the other hand, can only enter 28 countries without a visa.

Although a passport will help you enter a country, keep in mind that how long you can stay on visa-free entry varies by country. If you do not agree to these rules while traveling abroad, then you will face problem.

How To Get A Passport?

It all depends on which country’s passport you are looking for. First and foremost, you must be eligible for one. Passport is available only to the people of a particular country. You have to apply for a passport in the relevant government department of your country of birth. In the United States, it is the Department of State.

Submit your application after completing the required forms and providing or adding the required supporting documents. Your passport will arrive soon. But what is a travel document number, and do you have one on your passport?

Where To Find Your Travel Document Number On A Passport?

In the upper right corner of the page containing your picture is your passport number. Each passport has a unique code and a 9 digit passport number. It is also travel document number or passport document number.

In most cases, visitors from foreign countries require a visa. Visas are granted in the United States by each country’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration, known as USCIS.

Since they have a right over it, they decide who is allowed to enter their country. But why is it so important to get a visa?

Why Your Visa Is Important?

The purpose of your visit to a country is decided by the visa. It defines the conditions of your stay.

The length of your permitted stay in the country, the activities you are allowed to participate in, and other aspects of your stay are taken into account.

It is likely that a passport will not be sufficient to visit any country you visit. Check to see if you need a visa before you leave.

When entering another country you will be asked to show your passport to the border officer. If your passport does not qualify for visa-free entry, the officer may ask for a visa to confirm your eligibility. Visa can be issued as an official document.

How to Get a Visa?

You visit the nearest embassy of your country or the consulate of the country you wish to visit. Apply for the visa you need. Your travel intention will affect the type of visa you need.

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Tourist visas are issued to tourists, while employment visas are issued to those who wish to work in the country.

Complete the appropriate paperwork, include supporting documents to prove your eligibility, pay the fee, attend and pass the interview, and your visa will be issued shortly. But what is the travel document number of the visa?

Where to Find your Travel Document Number on a Visa?

The visa number is normally written in a different color on your visa. The number of the visa is written in red on the bottom right corner of the visa. The visa number is also known as the travel document number .

Green Card :-

A green card is provided to people who become permanent residents of the United States. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by an individual in the appropriate U.S. Issues a green card after proving its eligibility for Visa. Let’s see why having a green card is so important.

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• 272 Pages - 07/26/2022 (Publication Date) - NOLO (Publisher)

Why Your Green Card is Important?

Green card is not a substitute for passport. A green card allows you to become a permanent resident of the United States.

However, this does not mean that you are a resident. You will also need the passport of your country of birth. However, when used with your passport, a green card can help you travel more efficiently.

A green card is especially necessary when crossing a US border because it proves your eligibility to enter the country to the immigration officer.

How to Get a Green Card?

Green card will be given only to those who will be eligible for citizenship. If you follow the proper guidelines, you should be able to confirm your eligibility.

Most likely you will get a visa when visiting the United States. They will issue Form Type I-94 Travel and Departure Records when you enter the United States.

All of these immigration-related documents help you advance your eligibility case. There are many factors involved in getting a green card. You choose the one that best suits your needs. Prove your eligibility, follow the right guidelines, and wait for Visa to become available, and you’ll have your green card in no time.

Where to Find your Travel Document Number on a Green Card?

In this case, your Green Card number also serves as your travel document number. Your physical Green Card has it written on the backside.

FAQs About Travel Document Number

Is a travel document the same as a passport.

A travel document is a form of identification provided by a country or a foreign treaty body that helps people to cross government-controlled borders. The most popular form of the travel document is a passport.

What Are The 3 Types Of Travel Documents?

Three types of travel documents are as per below 1. Passport 2. Visa 3.Green Card

Travel Document Number Vs Passport Document Number

Is my passport number the same as the number on my travel document? Yes, the number on a passport often serves as the number on a travel document. However, since the number on your card varies from the number on your passport booklet, the travel document number on your US passport card would be different.

What Is Travel Document Number On Indian Passport?

The upper right-hand corner of the page with your picture contains your passport number. Each passport has a unique code and a 9-digit passport number. It’s also known as documents’ travel number.

How Much Do Travel Documents Cost?

The cost of travel documents varies around the world. For the time being, we’ll only focus on the costs of US travel papers.

Passport of the United States of America The cost of a passport is as per the type of passport you desire. The most affordable adult passport costs $110, while the most affordable minor passport costs $80. A passport fee will be approx $35 per application (if applicable).

Visas for the United States Nonimmigrant visas cost $160 on average. Since various types of paperwork and/or processing are needed for different types of visas, the costs vary. An H1B visa fee, for example, would not even go to the visa recipient. The cost must be covered by the beneficiary’s employer in the United States.

Green Card for the United States A Green Card in the United States costs $1,225 for adults and $750 for children aged 13 and under. The $85 biometric fee is normally included in this.

What Is Passport Document Number?

Your passport number can be found under the word passport number in the top right corner of your passport.

Is A Visa A Travel Document?

A resident of a foreign country who wishes to visit the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is then put in the traveler’s passport, which is a travel document issued by the traveler’s home country.

Your trip overseas seems like it was a lot of fun. You’ve packed your bags and are ready to depart. You’re also much more ready now that you understand the significance of each travel document’s travel document number.

Always remember to have those important documents with you everywhere you go. We hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.

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• Table of Contents
• Preface & Acknowledgements
• Acronyms & Abbreviations
• 1. A Brief History
• 2. Sources of Law
• 3. Elements of Asylum Law
• 4. Precedential LGBTQ/H Asylum Cases
• 5. The One-Year Filing Deadline
• 6. Withholding of Removal
• 7. Relief Under CAT
• 8. Voluntary Departure
• 9. Real ID Act
• 10. Safe Third Country
• 11. Challenging Asylum Cases
• 12. Working with Asylum Seekers
• 13. Working with LGBTQ/H Asylum Seekers
• 14. Elements of an Application

15. Preparing the I-589

• 16. Sample I-589
• 17. Preparing the Asylum Declaration
• 18. Declaration Dos and Don’ts
• 19. Annotated Sample Declaration
• 20. Corroborating Client-Specific Documents
• 21. Corroborating Country Conditions
• 22. Indexed Country Conditions Sample
• 23. Sample Cover Letter
• 24. Assembling Everything
• 25. Affirmative Application Process
• 26. Immigration Court Proceedings
• 27. Board of Immigration Appeals
• 28. Federal Court Review
• 29. Detained Asylum Seekers
• 30. Obtaining an Employment Authorization Document
• 31. Asylee Status
• 32. Withholding Status
• 33. CAT Status
• Important Resources

The information contained herein is for reference only and may not be up to date. It does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter.

The information in this chapter refers to the most recent version of the Form I-589 application form (often simply called the “I-589”), which was revised on 12/29/14.

Please note that Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) revises this form from time to time. The form is available on the CIS website at  http://www.uscis.gov/i-589 . Please make sure that the most current version of the form online is the same as the one discussed herein. In any event, guidance on how to fill in the form should still be useful.

Also at that link are extensive instructions on how to complete the I-589—and on which Regional Service Center you should file it with when complete.

If you are filing the application affirmatively, your filing will (if timely) meet the one-year filing deadline, get the client a spot in line for an asylum interview (which will, sadly, take place long after the statutory, 45-day timeframe has elapsed)  1 , and start a 180-day clock ticking toward eligibility for a work permit. The same form is used to submit applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture, although Asylum Officers are only authorized to adjudicate the asylum claim (the other claims will be adjudicated only if the claim is referred by the Asylum Office to the immigration court).

» Practice Pointer: It is the filing of the I-589 itself that initiates the asylum application process. Thus, it is the date that the application is received by the Service Center or that the application is filed in Immigration Court that marks the filing date for purposes of determining whether or not an applicant has met the one year filing deadline. In all cases, you can file the I-589 initially, and submit all supporting documentation at a later date.

15.1 Filling out the I-589 Asylum Application Form

The purpose of this chapter is to guide the asylum applicant’s representative in the preparation of the application form itself.

The I-589 form is available online at  http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-589.pdf . Unfortunately, this is not a “fillable” form as some CIS forms are. There are commercial companies which offer fillable and saveable immigration forms on cd disks to immigration practitioners. It is also possible to find free fillable versions of the I-589 online on private attorneys’ websites by doing a google search such as “I-589 fillable.” If you use one of these sites, make sure that the revised date on the lower right hand corner of the form matches the most recent version on the CIS website. While the data on web-based fillable forms cannot be saved electronically, you can write out the answers in Word or Wordperfect and cut and paste them into the fillable form. You can also print the form and type or handwrite the answers.

Convention Against Torture (CAT) Relief

In almost all cases, it is best to check the box at the top of page 1, as this helps to preserve CAT eligibility if the applicant’s case is referred to immigration court.

A. Part A: “Information About You”

The first part of the application requests biographical information about the applicant. This section collects information that may form an important part of the applicant’s claim. As with every part of the application, you must be careful to answer these questions correctly. Wherever the question asks for information that does not apply to the applicant or for which there is no answer you must write “not applicable” “N/A” or “none.” All questions on the Form I-589 must be answered. If an applicant fails to answer a question, the Service Center may reject and return the entire application.

1. Alien Registration Number (A-Number, or A#)

An “A-Number” is assigned to people who have ever filed an application with the legacy INS or CIS, or who have had a case in Immigration Court.

The A-Number is nine digit number (some older A-Numbers have eight digits, but are now rendered as nine-digit numbers with a zero at the beginning). Most applicants applying for asylum for the first time will not have an A-Number at the time the application is filed. If the applicant does not have an A-Number, the correct answer here is “None.”

2. Social Security Number

Most foreign nationals seeking asylum will not have a valid social security number in their name. If so, the correct answer is “None,” since the application asks only for the applicant’s social security number. If the applicant does possess a valid social security number, then this number must be entered in this space. Such a situation may arise, for example, if the applicant was in the United States on a student visa and had employment authorization. Some undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for many years have valid social security numbers because, ten or more years ago, it was relatively easy for anyone who applied to obtain a Social Security number. Also note that some foreign nationals have IRS tax payer ID numbers called Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or “ITINs.” These are not social security numbers and should not be included in this box.

3. Complete Last Name

This refers to the applicant’s family name or surname, including two last names such as “Mendez-Robles.” If there is any doubt as to which part of an applicant’s name is the surname, it may be easiest to refer to the applicant’s passport or other identification document. To avoid confusion, it may be helpful to enter the applicant’s last name in all capital letters to distinguish this part from the applicant’s first and middle names and to repeat this style throughout the application.

» Practice Pointer: Sometimes asylum applicants enter the United States with false identity documents. The applicant should always use their true information on the asylum application form even if they do not have a valid identity document that matches their real name.

4, 5. First Name; Middle Name

Again, if there is any doubt as to what part of the applicant’s name is the first name, it may be helpful to refer to the applicant’s passport or other identification documents.

Here you should include all aliases, nicknames, previous names or other versions of the applicant’s real name by which they are known or have ever been known. If the applicant is transgender and prefers a different name from what is on their identity documents, they should put the chosen name here. Likewise, if the applicant has had a legal name change, you should put their prior name here.

7. Residence in the U.S

This address is where the applicant lives. The address entered in response to this question should determine which Asylum Office has jurisdiction over the applicant’s application (though in some cases the Asylum Office will be determined based on the applicant’s mailing address). It is therefore important that this information is correct and that CIS is notified of any changes to the applicant’s address after the filing of the application.

8. Mailing address in the U.S

If necessary, this address should be a place where the applicant can safely receive mail. The applicant will receive written notice that CIS has received the I-589 and subsequent notices of the interview and future proceedings at this address. If this is the same as the residence, write “Same as above.” While both attorney and client are supposed to receive a copy of all correspondence from CIS, sometimes CIS only sends notices to the client or to the attorney, so it’s important to include an address where the client can reliably receive mail—and, unless impossible, to avoid using the attorney’s address as the mailing address.

If the applicant is transgender, you should check the box that aligns with their gender identity. Be aware, however, that in other contexts (e.g., issuance of a work permit), CIS only recognizes such identification gender if the foreign national has adjusted documentation (e.g., passport, birth certificate) from their country of origin or obtained a physician’s letter corroborating their gender identity.  2

10. Marital Status

If the applicant is legally (not customarily) married, they should check “married.” If the applicant is in a relationship other than marriage – a civil union or domestic partnership – “single” is the most appropriate box to check.

11. Date of Birth

Sometimes asylum applicants enter the United States with false identity documents. The applicant should always use their true information on the asylum application form, not the data form the false documents.

12. City and Country of Birth

Many countries do not automatically confer citizenship on individuals who were born in the country. For this box you must enter the birthplace, not the place of citizenship.

13. Present Nationality (Citizenship)

Applicant should enter the present country of nationality/citizenship in this space. If an applicant holds dual citizenship, you should include each country of nationality.

14. Nationality at Birth

Applicant should enter the country of nationality at birth, even if it is the same as present nationality.

15, 16. Race/Ethnic or Tribal Group; Religion

These sections should be completed if the applicant is a member of such a group or religion regardless of whether the applicant’s claim is based upon this characteristic. It is important to fill in “None” in the religion box if the applicant does not have a religious affiliation. Asylum applications are often returned by the Service Center if this box is left blank.

17. Immigration Status

It is important to be sure that your client is not currently and has never been in removal or deportation proceedings. If the applicant is in proceedings or has a final order of removal or deportation, they will have to file the I-589 with the Immigration Court rather than with a CIS Service Center, because the Asylum Office will not have jurisdiction. If the applicant has an A-Number, you can call the EOIR Hotline (1-800-898-7180) to make sure there has never been an immigration court case for the applicant. While the information on this phone system is generally accurate, if the applicant was in proceedings more than ten years ago, it’s possible that their information will not have been entered in the phone system.

18. a. The Date of Exit from Applicant’s Country

This should be the date when the applicant last left their country. This date is important to determine whether the applicant traveled through or resided in other countries before finally arriving in the United States and, if so, whether the applicant had a meaningful opportunity to seek asylum in such countries.

18. b. Current I-94 Number, if any

The I-94 is a record of inspection at a port of entry. It is available online at  http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html . Among its contents is a number of approximately 12 digits in the top left corner, which should be entered here. If the applicant entered without inspection, you should write “None” in this box.

18. c. List Each Entry to the U.S. Including Date, Place, Status and Date Status Expires.

Date of last arrival.

The date of last arrival in the United States is the date of the applicant’s most recent entry. If the applicant entered with inspection, this date will appear on their I-94 (see above).

Sometimes it is more difficult to determine the exact date of entry. The burden is on the applicant to prove that they filed within one year of their last entry into the United States. If the applicant last entered the United States without being inspected by an Immigration Officer at a port of entry (Entered Without Inspection or EWI) then the date given should be the date on which the applicant actually crossed the border. If the specific date is not known to the applicant, as is often the case when the applicant has “EWI’d” and/or when many years have passed since entry, the applicant should attempt to establish with the greatest accuracy possible the date on which the last entry took place. If this cannot be done, you should offer an approximate date using the words “on or about.” If even an approximate date of entry cannot be ascertained (e.g., if the applicant entered the country as a young child and has no way of learning the approximate date of entry) then the appropriate answer would be “unknown.” It is important to note that, 1996, individuals seeking asylum must file an application within one year of their last arrival in the United States or meet narrow exceptions to this rule. Therefore, the answer to this question may determine whether or not the applicant is eligible to file an application for asylum.

Place of Last Arrival

Place of last arrival is also usually easily determined from the I-94 if available. Applicants who have EWI’d (or who entered long ago and can no longer access their I-94) can usually identify the general geographic area at which they crossed the border and entered the United States, such as “Arizona.”

The applicant’s status when admitted is usually easily identified by reference to the I-94 or passport. Most applicants will have entered originally on a non-immigrant status, for example, as a visitor for business or pleasure (B), exchange visitor (J), student (F), professional worker (H), journalist (I), crew member (D), religious worker (R), or visa waiver tourist. Some applicants will have EWI’d, and therefore will have acquired any lawful status. In such a case the correct response to this question is simply “EWI.” If the applicant entered with fraudulent documents, they did not actually EWI; in such cases, you should write in the type of visa they used but indicate that it wasn’t really theirs (e.g., “B1/B2, not issued to applicant”).

Date Status Expires

Expiration of status refers to the expiration of the permitted stay on such status. For example, a foreign national admitted to the United States as a visitor on a B2 visa for six months would designate the end of the time period allowed to remain in the United States as the expiration date (unless it had been extended) and not the expiration of his or her visa (a B-2 visa may be valid for entries as a visitor for many years in some instances). Some I-94s, such as those for students, have the designation “D/S” for “duration of status” written on them rather than a specific date by which the applicant is supposed to leave the United States If the I-94 says “D/S” you should write this in on the Date Status Expires line.

For each entry the applicant has made into the United States, they must provide information to the best of their ability about the date, place and status of entry.

19. Country that Issued Last Passport or Travel Document

This should be self-evident. Again, you must always be truthful, so if the applicant obtained a fake passport that was not issued by their own country, they must indicate the actual country that issued the passport used. Attach to the I-589 a copy of the applicant’s passport (front and back cover and every interior page). Be sure to remove any stapled or loose papers from the passport so that every page is clearly visible. Also be sure that the copies of the various stamps or visas entered into the passport are clearly visible. If the applicant has an I-94 Departure Record card stapled into the passport (before electronic issuance, I-94s were issued on paper), it might be helpful to remove it from the passport and to copy it both front and back and attach the copy with the copy of the passport. Also, if the applicant has renewed their passport since being in the United States, attach copies of both the current passport and the passport which they used to enter into the United States.

20. Passport/Travel Document #

Enter the passport number of the applicant’s current or most recent passport (even if it is now expired). This number can generally be found on or close to the identification page of the passport.

Applicants who entered with a passport typically do not have a travel document, and vice versa. In such cases, write “N/A” in the appropriate box.

21. Expiration Date

Enter the month, day and year of expiration of the applicant’s current or most recent passport or travel document (even if it is now expired).

22, 23, 24. Languages

Write in the applicant’s native language. If the applicant has more than one native language, they should write in the language in which they feel most comfortable. If the applicant is fluent in English, answer “Yes.”

Part A. II. Information about Your Spouse and Children.

This part of the application asks for information about the applicant’s spouse and children. Most applicants for asylum based on sexual orientation or gender identity will not be married or have children. For those applicants who are married, the section for the applicant’s spouse must be completed, whether or not the applicant’s spouse is included as part of the application. If the applicant is not married, check the box on the top line and proceed to the Question 2, which asks about children. If the applicant has no children, simply check “I do not have any children” and move on. The information requested regarding spouse and children is similar to the information requested for the applicant and should be filled out as explained above.

Part A. III. Information about Your Background

This box requires the applicant to list their last address outside the United States. If the applicant did not come directly to the United States, then they must also list their last address in the country from which they is claiming persecution.

2, 3, 4, 5. Residences; Education; Employment; Parents and Siblings

The current I-589 form asks for personal history including information about the applicant’s parents, applicant’s education, addresses at which the applicant resided for the past five years, and the applicant’s employment (including unauthorized employment). Note that for residences and employment, the applicant must list information for the last five years; for education, all schools attended must be listed.

Often, applicants who are working without authorization do not want to give the name of their employer for fear of getting the employer in trouble. In that case, the applicant may feel more comfortable being somewhat vague, such as “Mexican Restaurant, Brooklyn, NY” rather than naming the specific establishment. If the applicant has never been employed, write “None” or “N/A” into at least one line so that CIS does not think that an answer was omitted.

Similarly, if the applicant has relatives who are in the United States without lawful status, the applicant may feel more comfortable giving a vague current location, such as “Los Angeles, CA,” as opposed to a specific address. For each relative, a current location must be provided, or “Deceased” must be checked. If the applicant has no siblings, write “None” or “N/A” into at least one “Sibling” line so that CIS does not think that an answer was omitted.

Abbreviate wherever possible so as to fit each entry on one line. Continue on Supplement B (page 12 of the I-589) as necessary; you can combine overflows from multiple questions into a single Supplement B.

Part B. Information about Your Application

In Part B of the application, the applicant is expected to lay out in detail the basis for their claim. A limited amount of space is offered on the application to answer several basic questions about the reason the applicant is seeking asylum.

» Practice Pointer: Some practitioners do not write anything other than “See attached affidavit” in response to the “essay” questions. This strategy is strongly discouraged. Often at the asylum interview, the Officer will be following along with the I-589 and not with the affidavit itself. Thus the best practice is to succinctly summarize the claim in a few sentences that include the most serious incidents that comprise the claim. You can attach additional sheets of paper to expand on these answers, but since you will already be attaching a very detailed affidavit, it’s best to try to fit the answers in the space provided.

Remember, the Officer will have the entire declaration to read as they are reviewing their notes and the file after the interview. Your goal with the I-589 should be to make it as easy as possible for the Officer to follow along with the applicant’s story during the interview.

1. Why are you seeking asylum?

You should check the box “Membership in a Particular Social Group” for claims based on sexual orientation, transgender identity, and/or HIV status. Note that it is possible to apply on more than one ground at once. Thus, an applicant may simultaneously be applying on other ground(s) such as religion or political opinion (e.g,. if the applicant was active in promoting LGBTQ/H rights in their country, this may also form the basis of a political opinion claim). Also note that it is best to check the “Torture Convention” box in almost all cases, as this helps to preserve CAT eligibility if the case is referred to immigration court.

1. A. Have you, your family or close friends or colleagues ever experienced harm, mistreatment or threats in the past?

This question is asking about past persecution. It is important to succinctly state any past harm that either the applicant or anyone whom they know personally has suffered on account of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or HIV-positive status. If the applicant has never directly experienced harm, it is very useful for them to give detailed examples of harm that their family or friends have experienced, as this helps personalize their fear of future persecution. Likewise, even if the harm they suffered in their country didn’t rise to the level of persecution, it is important (if factually possible) to include some examples of harm here (for example, school taunts, family disownment) to paint a picture of the life that the applicant is afraid to return to.

It is best to be succinct and specific in answering this question because the Asylum Officer will probably follow along with the answers to the “essay” questions during the interview. You do not need to exceed the space provided.

1. B. Do you fear harm or mistreatment if you return to your home country?

This question essentially asks whether the applicant fears future persecution. For the applicant to qualify for asylum, the answer to this question must be “Yes.” Again, it is helpful to be both succinct and specific in detailing the type of harm feared – abuse by police, gay-bashings, coercive psychological “treatment,” forced marriage, being disowned by family, lack of medical treatment, inability to find any employment, etc.

The answer to this question is especially important if the applicant did not experience past persecution. You should explain specifically how the applicant became fearful of the consequences of being LGBTQ/H, especially if they had no personal experience with such persecution. In some cases, the applicant may have become aware of the persecution of other sexual minorities because of incidents in which friends or acquaintances had been victims of persecution, or when such incidents happened to strangers and were reported in the media or documented in other sources. Again the applicant should be as specific as possible about how they learned of the harm that occurred to others. You do not need to exceed the space provided.

2. Have you or your family members ever been accused, charged, arrested, detained, interrogated, convicted and sentenced or imprisoned in any country other than the U.S.?

You may have already included information about arrests or detentions the applicant suffered in his country in your answers to a previous question, but you should still list such incidents again in answer to this question. Remember, this question doesn’t only ask about convictions, but includes arrests, detentions, and interrogations. Thus any interaction the applicant had with the police or military in which they did not feel free to leave should be included here.

Answering this question can help provide details about the basis of the applicant’s claim, if, for example, they were detained and abused by the police because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In some sexual orientation- or gender identity-based cases, applicants have been previously arrested, charged, and convicted of violating laws prohibiting homosexuality or same-sex sexual conduct. These “prosecutions” for private sexual activity between consenting adults may in fact be persecution.

It is also important to include any information about arrests or detentions even if they are unrelated to the asylum claim itself. Convictions for some crimes could lead to a bar to asylum so the Officer will pay close attention to the answers to this section. See  Section # 6.2 .

3. A. Have you or your family members ever belonged to or been associated with any organizations or groups in your home country?

This question is usually most relevant to someone who is claiming persecution based on their political opinion or affiliation with a certain political organization. In the case of sexual orientation-, gender identity-, and/or HIV status-based claims, if the applicant was a member of an LGBTQ/H organization and for that reason was targeted for persecution, then the applicant may have a dual claim based on LGBTQ/H status and political opinion. The applicant should list any or all associations or memberships with LGBTQ/H organizations in their country of origin, along with corroborating evidence of such membership such as letters, membership cards, news stories, etc.

Even if the applicant was not affiliated with any organizations in their country, they may fear returning because of their family’s affiliations. For example, a Colombian applicant with a politically active brother may fear returning to her country based on her own imputed political opinion because of her brother’s activities. It is therefore important to answer this question thoroughly regarding the entire family.

The answer to this question could also trigger mandatory bars to asylum if the applicant was affiliated with an organization with the United States considers to be a terrorist or genocidal organization.

3. B. Do you or your family members continue to participate in any way in these organizations or groups?

The answer to this question could impact the applicant’s fear of future persecution, so if they are still involved in any of these groups, they should explain thoroughly their involvement.

4. Are you afraid of being subjected to torture in your home country or any other country to which you may be returned?

If the applicant is applying for relief under CAT (and we recommend they do), they should be able to answer truthfully “Yes” to this question. See  Section # 7 for more information about CAT relief. Basically, if the applicant fears physical harm or pain either directly at the hands of their government or with the acquiescence of their government, they should respond that they fear torture in their country. Again, although the answer to this question may be redundant, you should still include succinct but detailed information about why the applicant fears torture and by whom.

Part C. Additional Information About Your Application

If an applicant can truthfully answer all the questions below by checking NO, then they are not facing any substantive issues that may jeopardize the applicant’s eligibility for asylum. However, if the applicant has to answer any of the questions in the affirmative, then they should include a detailed explanation of his answer.

1. Have you, your spouse, your child(ren), your parents, or your siblings ever applied to the United States Government for refugee status, asylum or withholding of removal?

The response to the question of whether an applicant has previously applied for asylum or withholding of removal may be extremely important in the adjudication of this application. If the applicant has never before filed such an application, then the obvious correct answer is simply to check the “No” box.

In some cases, an applicant is filing an application because they have been previously included in an application by a parent, but no longer qualify as an unmarried child under twenty-one and must now file a separate application.

In other cases, however, the applicant has previously filed an application (Yes). This application may still be pending with CIS or may have been denied administratively. In either case, a subsequent application for asylum must fully explain the circumstances surrounding the previous application and the disposition or status of the previous application. This explanation may be incorporated in the applicant’s affidavit, particularly if it is a lengthy explanation and if it helps explain other parts of the case such as the applicant’s fear of return to their country.

It is worth noting here that some individuals with true LGBTQ/H based asylum claims may previously have had weak, frivolous or fraudulent asylum applications filed on their behalf on other grounds. These previous applications may have been filed by an attorney or non-attorney (such as a “notario”) in order to obtain employment authorization for the applicant without fully explaining the nature of the documents being filed. It is, therefore, vital that an applicant fully explain the reasoning behind the previous application.

2. A. After leaving the country from which you are claiming asylum, did you or your spouse or child(ren), who are now in the United States, travel through or reside in any other country before entering the United States?

The purpose of this question is to determine whether the applicant could have sought or could currently seek asylum or other lawful immigration status in another country while en route to the United States during this most recent . Asylum is meant to be an application of last resort; if the applicant had or has a reasonable opportunity to safely relocate elsewhere, that is a ground for the United States to deny the asylum application.

This question inquires both as to whether the applicant resided in another country and as to whether the applicant traveled through another country. If the applicant traveled briefly through another country (for example a Guatemalan traveled overland across Mexico), it is unlikely that the Asylum Officer would question why they did not seek asylum there. If, however, the applicant traveled through another country that grants asylum to LGBTQ/H individuals, they should be prepared to explain why they did not seek asylum in that country. Likewise, if an applicant actually resided in another country before fleeing to the United States, they should explain why they did not seek asylum there. For example, if an Egyptian lived in Qatar before coming to the United States and applying for asylum, they could explain that sexual minorities are mistreated in Qatar as well.

2. B. Have you, your spouse, your child(ren), or other family members such as your parents or siblings ever applied for or received any lawful status in any country other than the one from which you are now claiming asylum?

The purpose of this question is to determine whether the applicant could have sought or could currently seek asylum or other lawful immigration status in another country based on familial relationship with someone having such status. It is important to be truthful—but in most cases, because LGBTQ/H applicants have little family support, they are not expected to seek derivative status through family members.

3. Have you, your spouse, or child(ren) ever ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in causing harm or suffering to any person because of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or belief in a particular political opinion?

This question again addresses mandatory bars to asylum. In the vast majority of cases, the answer to this question will be “No.” If the applicant did participate in persecuting others, for example, during mandatory military service or forced guerilla service, they should explain in detail why they were forced to carry out such actions.

4. After you left the country where you were harmed or fear harm, did you return to that country?

In this question, you must account for every previous return trip to the applicant’s country of origin. There are many situations which might lead to an asylum applicant to return to their home country after having left it. Because many LGBTQ/H asylum applicants don’t know that their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or HIV status can be the basis of an asylum claim, many individuals return to their countries to comply with the terms of their visas. Some applicants make regular trips to and from the United States to receive HIV medical treatment here. Other applicants, such as students, may not have experienced persecution in their countries until they’ve had the chance to live in the United States and “come out.”

The applicant must anticipate that the Asylum Officer will question why they are afraid to return to their country now, if they willingly returned in the past. They should address such questions in this answer on the form.

5. Are you filing the application more than 1 year after your last arrival in the United States?

If the answer to this question is “Yes,” you should explain in detail why the applicant did not file within the one-year filing deadline. Missing the deadline means the asylum application will be denied unless the applicant can demonstrate an exception to the one-year filing deadline. It is important to state succinctly but with adequate detail the applicant’s claimed exception to the one-year filing deadline in this section. The two categories of filing deadline exceptions are for “changed circumstances” and/or “extraordinary circumstances.” If the applicant has missed the one-year filing deadline, please see  Section # 5 for a detailed discussion of the one-year filing deadline and possible exceptions. It is also important to understand that even if the applicant meets an exception to the one-year deadline, they must file “within a reasonable period of time” after the exception is activated. The answer to this question should therefore also briefly address the reasonableness of the period of time.

In general, an applicant should not file for asylum affirmatively if they have missed the one-year filing deadline, unless they have a strong argument for a filing deadline exception.

6. Have you or any member of your family included in the application ever committed any crime and/or been arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced for any crimes in the United States?

It is very important that the applicant answer this question truthfully. The applicant must answer “Yes” if they were ever arrested, even if they were never charged or convicted. Thus, even if a criminal case was dismissed and sealed, the applicant must answer “Yes.”

If an applicant was convicted of a “particularly serious crime,” they will not eligible for asylum or withholding of removal. If you are not certain whether a crime that the applicant committed would affect their asylum eligibility, research this issue thoroughly before filing the application. For more information on criminal bars to asylum eligibility, see  Section # 6.2 .

Part E. Your Signature

The applicant must sign and date the application, attach one photograph to page 9, and write their name in their native alphabet if the alphabet is different from English. If the applicant’s spouse, parent or child assisted in preparing the application, that person must write their name on the form. If the application was prepared by an attorney or accredited representative, the “Yes” box should be checked in answer to the question “Did someone other than your spouse, parent, or child(ren) prepare this application?” The applicant should also check the appropriate box to the next question about whether or not they have been provided with a list of free or low cost attorneys (if you are an attorney providing pro bono representation, the answer is “Yes!). Failure to check a box, even if it’s not particularly relevant to the claim, can lead to the entire application being returned to the applicant.

The applicant should read the certification written above the signature line which indicates the penalties for false statement of material fact and the applicant should carefully read the “WARNING” that applicants for asylum may be subject to removal (i.e., deportation) if asylum and withholding claims are not granted.

Part E. Declaration of Person Preparing Form if Other than Applicant, Spouse, Parent, or Child

If the applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney should complete and sign this part. The attorney must also complete a Notice of Appearance Form (G-28) (preferably on blue paper) to be recognized as the attorney of record.

Nevertheless, if an attorney assists an applicant to complete the application, even if the attorney does not intend to represent the applicant, they must sign the form and supply contact information here.

Part F. To Be Completed at Interview or Hearing

The applicant will be asked to complete and sign this part at the interview or before the Immigration Judge to re-affirm that the application and documentation attached are true.

This Manual is intended to provide information to attorneys and accredited representatives. It is not intended as legal advice. Asylum seekers should speak with qualified attorneys before applying.

• 8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(5)(A)(ii). 
• See  CIS, Affirmative Asylum Procedures Manual at pp. 43–44 ( http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/nativedocuments/Asylum_Procedures_Manual_2013.pdf ). 

This handbook is intended for use by pro bono attorneys and immigration attorneys working on LGBTQ/HIV asylum cases.

Self-help asylum guides for LGBTQ and HIV-positive people without attorneys.

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• Travel Tips

What Is Your Travel Document Number (If Any) On Form I-765

Published: December 2, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Kaylee Murdoch

Introduction

When it comes to traveling, having the right documentation is crucial. Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad, or going on a business trip, proper identification is essential for a smooth travel experience. If you’re in the process of applying for a work permit in the United States, you might come across Form I-765, which requires you to fill in your travel document number, if applicable.

Form I-765, also known as the Application for Employment Authorization, is a form issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used by eligible noncitizens who are seeking authorization to work in the United States. While completing this form, you may notice a field that asks for your travel document number, if you have one.

So why is this travel document number required on Form I-765? In this article, we will explore the significance of this number, where to find it, and how to correctly fill it out on the form. We will also provide some helpful tips to ensure you submit an error-free application. So let’s dive in and demystify the travel document number on Form I-765.

What is Form I-765?

Form I-765, also known as the Application for Employment Authorization, is a document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used by eligible noncitizens who are seeking authorization to work in the United States. This form allows individuals to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD), commonly referred to as a work permit.

Form I-765 is an important step in the immigration process, as it establishes the legal right to work in the U.S. for certain noncitizens. It is typically filed concurrently with other immigration forms, such as Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) or Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status).

The purpose of Form I-765 is to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. It collects important information about the applicant, including their personal details, immigration status, and employment history. By completing and submitting this form, applicants can request an employment authorization document that allows them to legally work in the U.S. for a specified period of time.

It is worth noting that certain categories of individuals may be eligible for automatic employment authorization without the need to file Form I-765. This includes individuals with certain visa types and those who have already been granted asylum or refugee status. However, for most individuals seeking employment authorization, filing Form I-765 is a necessary step in the process.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what Form I-765 is, let’s delve into why a travel document number is required on this form and what it entails.

Why is a travel document number required on Form I-765?

When completing Form I-765, one of the fields you may come across is the requirement to enter your travel document number, if you have one. The travel document number is the unique identifier associated with your travel document, such as a passport or a refugee travel document. But why is this number required on Form I-765?

The travel document number serves as a means of verifying the validity and authenticity of the document you will use for traveling. It allows the USCIS to ensure that you have a valid travel document that enables you to legally enter and exit the United States. By providing the travel document number on Form I-765, you are providing evidence of your ability to travel internationally.

In certain cases, individuals may have a travel document that is separate from their passport. For example, refugees and asylees may possess a separate refugee travel document issued by the U.S. government. By requiring the travel document number on Form I-765, the USCIS can ensure that all necessary documentation is in place for international travel.

Additionally, the travel document number on Form I-765 allows the USCIS to cross-reference your application with any supporting documentation you may have submitted. This helps to streamline the application process and verify the information you have provided. By including the travel document number, the USCIS can ensure that your application is complete and accurate.

It’s important to note that not all applicants will have a travel document number to provide on Form I-765. If you do not have a travel document or if your travel document is the same as your passport, you can simply leave this field blank on the form. However, if you do have a separate travel document, it is crucial to include the travel document number to avoid delays in processing your application.

Now that we understand why the travel document number is required on Form I-765, let’s explore where you can find this number and how to correctly enter it on the form.

Understanding the travel document number

The travel document number is a unique identifier associated with your travel document, such as a passport or a refugee travel document. This number is used to track and verify the authenticity and validity of the document for international travel. Understanding the components of the travel document number can help you accurately enter it on Form I-765.

The format of the travel document number may vary depending on the type of document and the issuing country. Generally, it consists of a combination of letters, numbers, and sometimes special characters. It is important to correctly enter the travel document number to avoid any issues or delays in processing your application.

For passports, the travel document number is typically located on the first page of the passport, near the top or bottom. It is usually labeled as “Passport Number” or “Document Number.” The number may be preceded by a combination of letters, which represent the country code. Ensure that you enter the full travel document number, including any letters and numbers, on Form I-765.

For refugee travel documents, the travel document number can usually be found on the biographic information page. It may be labeled as “Document Number” or “Travel Document Number.” Similar to passports, it may consist of a combination of letters and numbers. Make sure to enter the complete travel document number as it appears on the document.

If you are unsure about where to find the travel document number or if there are any specific requirements for your particular document, it is recommended to refer to the instructions provided by the issuing authority or consult with an immigration attorney for guidance.

Remember, accuracy is key when entering the travel document number on Form I-765. Errors or omissions can lead to processing delays or the rejection of your application. Take the time to double-check the number and ensure its correct entry on the form to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Next, let’s explore where you can find your travel document number and how to correctly enter it on Form I-765.

Where can you find your travel document number?

When filling out Form I-765, it is important to accurately enter your travel document number, if applicable. The location of this number will depend on the type of travel document you possess. Here are some common places where you can find your travel document number:

• Passport: If you are using your passport as your travel document, the passport number is typically located on the first page of the passport. It is generally labeled as “Passport Number” or “Document Number.” The number may consist of a combination of letters and numbers. Ensure that you enter the complete and correct passport number on Form I-765.
• Refugee Travel Document: For individuals who possess a refugee travel document, the travel document number can usually be found on the biographic information page of the document. It may be labeled as “Document Number” or “Travel Document Number.” Similar to passports, the number may consist of a combination of letters and numbers. Double-check the travel document number and enter it accurately on Form I-765.
• Other Travel Documents: If you have a different type of travel document, such as a re-entry permit or an advance parole document, the location of the travel document number may vary. It is important to carefully review the document and any accompanying instructions to identify where the travel document number is located.

If you are unable to find the travel document number on your travel document or if you have any doubts about its location, it is recommended to consult the issuing authority or seek guidance from an immigration attorney. It is crucial to enter the correct and complete travel document number on Form I-765 to prevent any delays or complications in the processing of your application.

Now that you know where to find your travel document number, let’s move on to understanding how to correctly enter it on Form I-765.

How to enter your travel document number on Form I-765?

Correctly entering your travel document number on Form I-765 is crucial to ensure the accuracy and validity of your application. Here are some steps to guide you on how to enter your travel document number:

• Passport Number: If you are using your passport as your travel document, carefully locate the passport number on the first page of your passport. It may be labeled as “Passport Number” or “Document Number.” Enter the complete passport number, including any letters or numbers, in the designated field on Form I-765.
• Refugee Travel Document Number: For individuals with a refugee travel document, locate the travel document number on the biographic information page of the document. It may be labeled as “Document Number” or “Travel Document Number.” Enter the entire travel document number, consisting of letters and numbers, in the appropriate field on Form I-765.
• Other Travel Documents: If you have a different type of travel document, such as a re-entry permit or an advance parole document, carefully review the document and any accompanying instructions to identify the location of the travel document number. Enter the complete travel document number as indicated on the document in the corresponding field on Form I-765.

While entering your travel document number, ensure that you double-check the information for accuracy and completeness. Mistakes or omissions can lead to delays in processing your application. Remember to enter all letters and numbers exactly as they appear on your travel document.

If you do not have a travel document number because your travel document is the same as your passport or for any other reason, you can simply leave the travel document number field blank on Form I-765.

It is worth noting that the USCIS provides specific instructions for completing Form I-765, including guidelines for entering the travel document number. It is recommended to refer to the official USCIS instructions or consult with an immigration attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Now that you know how to enter your travel document number on Form I-765, let’s explore some tips to ensure that you complete the form accurately and efficiently.

Tips for completing Form I-765 with travel document number

Completing Form I-765 with your travel document number requires attention to detail to ensure accuracy. Here are some helpful tips to consider when filling out the form:

• Review the instructions: Before starting the form, carefully read the USCIS instructions provided for Form I-765. Familiarize yourself with the requirements and guidelines specific to your situation.
• Double-check your travel document number: Take the time to verify your travel document number. Review your passport, refugee travel document, or other travel document carefully to ensure you have the correct and complete number.
• Enter the travel document number accurately: When entering the travel document number on Form I-765, make sure to enter all letters, numbers, and special characters exactly as they appear on your travel document. Even minor errors can cause processing delays or application rejection.
• Use the correct field: Locate the designated field on Form I-765 for the travel document number and enter it in the appropriate space. Make sure to enter it in the correct format and order as indicated on the form.
• Proofread: After entering your travel document number, carefully review the entire form for any mistakes or omissions. Check for spelling errors, incorrect dates, or missing information. Proofreading ensures clarity and precision in your application.
• Seek assistance if needed: If you are uncertain about any aspect of completing Form I-765, consider seeking assistance from an immigration attorney or an authorized immigration professional. They can provide guidance specific to your circumstances and help ensure accurate and timely submission.

Following these tips can help you complete Form I-765 accurately and efficiently. Remember, attention to detail is vital for a successful application process. By taking the time to fill out the form correctly, you increase your chances of a smooth processing experience.

Now, let’s discuss some common mistakes to avoid when entering your travel document number on Form I-765.

Common mistakes to avoid when entering your travel document number on Form I-765

When filling out Form I-765 and entering your travel document number, it’s important to be mindful of potential errors that could affect the accuracy and processing of your application. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Incorrect digits or characters: Double-check that you have entered the correct digits and characters of your travel document number. Even a single incorrect digit can lead to delays or rejection of your application.
• Skipping or omitting characters: Ensure that you enter all letters, numbers, and special characters that are part of your travel document number. Omitting any of these characters can result in an incomplete or invalid entry.
• Entering the wrong document number: Make sure you are inputting the travel document number and not the document issuance number or any other identification number. Pay attention to the label or description of the field where you are supposed to enter the travel document number.
• Mixing up letters and numbers: Some travel document numbers can include a combination of letters and numbers. It’s crucial to enter them in the correct order and without any transposed characters. Errors in the sequence of letters and numbers can cause issues with your application.
• Not entering the full travel document number: Ensure that you enter the complete travel document number, including any prefix or suffix characters, in the designated field. Leaving out any part of the number could lead to a rejection or delay in processing.
• Formatting mistakes: Pay attention to any formatting requirements specified on the form. For example, if the form requests only uppercase letters, ensure you enter the travel document number in uppercase. Adhering to the specified formatting shows attention to detail.
• Failure to update changes: If you have been issued a new travel document since your last application, it’s crucial to enter the current and valid travel document number. Failing to update this information may result in the USCIS processing your application based on outdated or incorrect information.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can prevent avoidable errors when entering your travel document number on Form I-765. Take the time to review your entry before finalizing and submitting your application.

Now that we have covered these common mistakes, let’s wrap up our discussion.

Navigating the complexities of immigration paperwork can be daunting, but understanding the requirements, such as entering your travel document number on Form I-765, is essential to ensure a smooth application process. By following the guidelines provided by the USCIS and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve the accuracy and efficiency of your application.

Remember, accurately entering your travel document number is crucial for verifying the validity and authenticity of your travel document. Take the time to locate your travel document number and enter it correctly on Form I-765. Double-check your entry for any mistakes or omissions to prevent delays or complications.

If you have any doubts or uncertainties, it is always advisable to consult with an immigration attorney or an authorized immigration professional who can provide individualized guidance based on your specific circumstances.

Completing Form I-765 with your travel document number is just one step in the immigration process, but it is a significant one. By fulfilling this requirement accurately and attentively, you increase your chances of a successful application for employment authorization in the United States.

Thank you for reading this guide on understanding the travel document number on Form I-765. We hope that it has shed light on the importance of this information and provided helpful tips for completing the form. Good luck with your application!

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How to Fill DS-160 Form for US Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide (with screenshots)

Updated: September 21, 2023

The first step in the US visa application process is to fill DS-160 form online. It’s a lengthy form with several pages and sections, so it can take you a few days to complete.

Before you start the application, go through my comprehensive guide on DS-160 form to understand the technical requirements and the documents needed for filling out the application.

Then, follow along this step-by-step guide to complete your DS-160 form. There are screenshots and instructions to guide you. For each question, there is a comment explaining what exactly needs to be entered.

IMPORTANT The result of your US visa for the most part depends on the information you fill in your DS-160. Pay careful attention to the information you enter in your DS-160. It must be accurate, and honest and must match with what you say during the visa interview. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT lie in your DS-160. This can lead to visa denial, visa ban, or permanent blacklist.

Table of Contents

Steps to fill ds-160 form, 01. getting started.

To start your DS-160 form, head over to the US Department of State’s Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) page.

• Select a location where you will be applying for this visa [ Instruction: Select the country where you intend to attend your US visa interview]
• Enter the code as shown [ Instruction : Enter the code shown in the captcha in this field. This is to make sure you are a real human and not a bot]
• This visa application will ask you to upload a digital photo of yourself [ Instruction : If you already have a digital photo for your visa application, click on “Test Photo” to check if your photo meets the specifications. If you don’t have a photo and want to know the photo requirements, click on “Photo Standard Guide”]

NOTE The question “This visa application will ask you to upload a digital photo of yourself” is shown only for certain countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, etc. If you choose a country such as India, Mexico, etc., this question will not be shown.

After you have entered the above data, you will see 2 buttons –

• START AN APPLICATION [ Instruction : Click this button if you are starting a new application]
• RETRIEVE AN APPLICATION [ Instruction : Click this button if you are retrieving a previously saved application]

Let’s look into these options in detail.

START AN APPLICATION

Click the “START AN APPLICATION” button when you are starting a new DS-160 application. This will create an Application ID, which you must print or make a note of. You will need the Application ID to retrieve your saved DS-160 application.

RETRIEVE AN APPLICATION

Your session times out if you leave your DS-160 form open for too long. If that happens, you can come back to your saved application (saved till the last section) using this option.

You might also need time to gather the information needed to fill DS-160 form. In that case, you can save and come back to your saved application using this option. You would need your DS-160 Application ID to retrieve the saved application.

After you enter the above data and click on “START AN APPLICATION”, you will see the “Application Information” Screen. Your “Application ID” will be displayed here. Print this page. Or take a screenshot or make a note of the DS-160 Application ID. You will need your Application ID to retrieve your saved DS-160 application.

• I AGREE [ Instruction: Check the “I AGREE” box for Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]
• Security Question [ Instruction : Select a security question from the list]
• Answer [ Instruction : Enter the answer for your security question]

IMPORTANT Make a note of your “Application ID”, “Security Question” and “Answer”. The “Security Question and Answer” along with the “Application ID”, “Surname” and “Birth Year” are REQUIRED to retrieve your saved DS-160 visa application. If you forget any of this information, you will not be able to retrieve your saved application. You will have to start over again with a new DS-160 application.

NOTE You will have 30 days to complete a partially saved DS-160 application. These 30 days are calculated from the last time you edited your application. If you do not complete and submit your DS-160 form within 30 days, your application will be deleted and you will have to start over again.

02. Personal

Subsection: personal 1.

• Surnames [ Instruction : Enter your surname from your passport. If you have any accents or special characters in your surname name, enter WITHOUT accents or special characters]
• Given Names [ Instruction : Enter your given name from your passport. If you have any accents or special characters in your given names, enter WITHOUT accents or special characters ]
• Full Name in Native Alphabet [ Instruction : Enter ONLY IF you have accents or non-Latin characters in your name or know how to write your name in your native language. Otherwise, simply check “Does Not Apply/Technology Not Available”. For detailed instructions, check out this article on how to fill Full Name in Native Alphabet ]
• Have you ever used other names (i.e, maiden, religious, professional, alias, etc.)? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” if you have a maiden name, otherwise select “No”]
• Do you have a telecode that represents your name? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” only if you have a Chinese name, otherwise just select “No”. For detailed instructions, read this article on how to fill Telecode name in DS-160 ]
• Sex [ Instruction : Select “Male” or “Female”]
• [Dropdown Options]
• COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
• CIVIL UNION/DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
• LEGALLY SEPARATED
• Date [ Instruction : Enter your date of birth]
• City [ Instruction : Enter the city where you were born]
• State/Province [ Instruction : Enter the state/province where you were born]
• Country/Region [ Instruction : Enter the country where you were born]

If you have accents or special characters in your name

The “Surnames” and “Given Names” fields DO NOT ALLOW accents or special characters. You must enter your name WITHOUT accents or special characters in the “Surnames” and “Given Names” fields. Use the “Full Name in Native Alphabet” field to enter your full name with accents and special characters.

If you have a middle name on your passport

If you have a middle name in your passport (ex: Philippines passport), you must add your middle name to your given name(s) and enter it in your DS-160 “Given Name”.

Example below.

In your current passport Surname: XXXX Given Names: YYYY ZZZZ Middle Name: AAAA

This is how you will fill in your DS-160 Surname: XXXX Given Names: YYYY ZZZZ AAAA

If your surname in the passport is “blank”

If your surname in the passport is “blank”, use the following format in your DS-160 form.

In your current passport Surname: Given Name: XXXX YYYY

This is how you will fill in your DS-160 Surname: XXXX YYYY Given Name: FNU

Your US visa will be issued with the following name Surname: XXXX YYYY Given Name: FNU

NOTE:  FNU means First Name Unknown.

IMPORTANT:  You must get your passport fixed as soon as you can. It can create all kinds of issues, not only for visa applications but also at the airports. If you move to a foreign country to study or work, you won’t be able to open a bank account, apply for a driving license, etc.

What if your surname or given name is too long

You may be able to enter your Surname and Given Name completely in DS-160 form. But in the US visa, the Surname and Given Name fields have a certain character limit and will be truncated if over the character limit.

Even though your name is truncated in your US visa, it will not pose any problems with US immigration. US border officials are all aware of this and will not ask you any questions. You may be asked by the airline staff if they are not familiar with US visa name character limit.

In your current passport Surname: XXXX Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYYZZZZ

This is how you will fill in your DS-160 Surname: XXXX Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYYZZZZ

Your US visa will be issued with the following name Surname: XXXX Given Name: AAAABBBB CCCCDDDD YYYY

Subsection: Personal 2

• Country/Region of Origin (Nationality) [ Instruction : Select your country of nationality ]
• Do you hold or have you held any nationality other than the one indicated above on nationality? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you have acquired a nationality other than your birth nationality]
• Are you a permanent resident of a country/region other than your country/region of origin (nationality) indicated above? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you have acquired permanent residence in a country other than your country of birth]
• National Identification Number [ Instruction : Enter your National Identification Number from your country. If you don’t know, check “Does Not Apply” | ]
• U.S. Social Security Number [ Instruction : Check “Does Not Apply”. Enter your US SSN if you have lived in the US before]
• U.S.Taxpayer ID Number [ Instruction : Check “Does Not Apply”. Enter your US TIN Number if you had/have one]

• FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL (A)
• TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B)
• ALIEN IN TRANSIT (C)
• CNMI WORKER OR INVESTOR (CW/E2C)
• CREWMEMBER (D)
• TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR (E)
• ACADEMIC OR LANGUAGE STUDENT (F)
• INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION REP./EMP. (G)
• TEMPORARY WORKER (H)
• FOREIGN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE (I)
• EXCHANGE VISITOR (J)
• FIANCÉ(E) OR SPOUCE OF U.S. CITIZEN (K)
• INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE (L)
• VOCATIONAL/NON-ACADEMIC STUDENT (M)
• NATO STAFF (NATO)
• ALIEN WITH EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY (O)
• INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ALIEN (P)
• CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISITOR (Q)
• RELIGIOUS WORKER (R)
• INFORMANT OR WITNESS (S)
• VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING (T)
• NAFTA PROFESSIONAL (TD/TN)
• VICTIM OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY (U)
• PAROLE BENEFICIARY (PARCIS)
• Specify [ Instruction : Select “BUSINESS & TOURISM (TEMPORARY VISITOR) (B1/B2)”. If you have selected a different visa class, then select the appropriate option here]
• Intended Date of Arrival [ Instruction : Select the approximate date on which you intend to arrive in the US]
• Intended Length of Stay in the U.S. [ Instruction : Select the number of days you intend to spend in the US on this trip]
• Street Address (Line 1)
• Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
• Zip Code (if known)
• OTHER PERSON
• PRESENT EMPLOYER
• EMPLOYER IN THE U.S.
• OTHER COMPANY/ORGANIZATION

PRO TIP For “TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR (B)”, you will have 3 options to choose from: B1 (Business), B2 (Tourism), and B1/B2 (Business and Tourism). I recommend selecting “B1/B2” even though your purpose might be strictly business or tourism. A US visa is issued for 10 years and you never know when you will need to visit the US for business or when for tourism. “B1/B2” will work for both purposes and will spare you from unnecessary questions at the port of entry.

NOTE Even if you have selected “B1” or “B2” as your choice, the US consulate might still issue “B1/B2”. In very rare cases, they issue a “B1” or a “B2”.

What if you plan to stay in a hotel when you travel to the US, instead of a friend/family/relative?

If you are planning to stay in a hotel, book a refundable or pay-at-check-in hotel . Use that address for the question “Address Where You Will Stay in the U.S.”. Cancel the booking after you receive your visa.

What if you have already booked your flight tickets for your US trip?

If you have already booked your flight and hotel, then you must select “Yes” to the question “Have you made specific travel plans”. You will see some specific questions for your trip. Enter the following information.

• Date of Arrival in the U.S. [ Instruction: Select your exact date of arrival in the US]
• Arrival Flight (if known) [ Instruction: Enter your arrival flight number. Leave it blank if you don’t know ]
• Arrival City [ Instruction: Enter the first city where you will arrive]
• Date of Departure from U.S. [ Instruction: Enter your exact date of departure from the US]
• Departure Flight (if known) [ Instruction: Enter your departure flight number. Leave it blank if you don’t know]
• Departure City [ Instruction: Enter the city where you will depart the US from]
• Provide the locations you plan to visit in the U.S. [ Instruction: Enter the list of cities or places you plan to visit as part of your US trip. If you have more than one city, use the “Add Another” button to add more]

06. Travel Companions

Persons traveling with you

• Are there other persons traveling with you? [ Instruction : Select “No” if you will be traveling by yourself. Select “Yes” if you will be traveling with family/friends and provide details]
• Are you traveling as part of a group or organization? [ Instruction : Select “No” if you will be traveling with family/friends. Select “Yes” only if you will be traveling with a group on an organized group tour]
• Surnames of Person Traveling With You [ Instruction : Enter the surname of the person (family member/relative/friend/etc.) traveling with you]
• Given Names of Person Traveling With You [ Instruction : Enter the given names of the person (family member/relative/friend/etc.) traveling with you]
• OTHER RELATIVE
• BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option if you have more than one person (family member/relative/friend/etc.) traveling with you]

07. Previous U.S. Travel

• Have you ever been in the U.S.? [ Instruction : Select “No” if you have NEVER been in the US. Select “Yes” if you have traveled to the US before and enter the below details]
• Date Arrived [ Instruction : Enter your previous date of arrival in the US]
• Length of Stay [ Instruction : Enter the number of days or months of your previous stay in the US]
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option if you have been in the US multiple times. You can enter up to 5 previous visits to the US]
• Do you or did you ever hold a U.S. Driver’s License? [ Instruction : Select “No” if you have not lived in the US before. If you have a US driver’s license, select “Yes” and enter your existing/expired US driver’s license details below]
• Driver’s License Number [ Instruction : Enter your US driver’s license number. If you don’t remember, just check “Do Not Know”]
• State of Driver’s License [ Instruction : Select the “State” that issued your driver’s license]
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option if you had/have more than one US driver’s license]
• Have you ever been issued a U.S. Visa? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you have been issued a U.S. visa before and enter your old visa details]
• Date Last Visa was Issued [ Instruction : Enter the date of issue of your previous US visa]
• Visa Number [ Instruction : Enter the visa number (printed in RED on your visa sticker) of your previous US visa]
• Are you applying for the same type of visa? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” if applying for the same visa type, ex: B1/B2. Otherwise, select “No”]
• Are you applying in the same country or location where the visa above was issued, and is this country or location your place of principal of residence? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” if applying in the same location as your previous US visa and is also your current country of residence. Otherwise, select “No”]
• Have you been ten-printed? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” if your fingerprints were captured (all 10 fingers) during the interview of your previous US visa. Otherwise, select “No”]
• Has your U.S. Visa ever been lost or stolen? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if any of your old US visas were lost or stolen]
• Has your U.S. Visa ever been cancelled or revoked? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if any of your old US visas were cancelled or revoked]
• (If answered “Yes” to the above question) Explain [ Instruction : Provide the details of your visa refusal or denial of entry]
• (If answered “Yes” to the above question) Explain [ Instruction : Provide the details of your old/existing I-140 such as the priority date and receipt number]

NOTE If you have been in the US before but do not remember the exact dates, you can look up your previous US travel history on the US Customs and Border Protection website. For calculating “Length of Stay”, you can use the Date and Time’s Days Calculator .

03. Address and Phone

Home Address

• Street Address (Line 1) [ Instruction : Enter your home address in the following fields]
• State/Province
• Postal Zone/Zip Code
• Country/Region

Mailing Address

• Is your Mailing Address the same as your Home Address? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” if your home and mailing addresses are the same. Otherwise, select “No” and enter your mailing address]
• Primary Phone Number [ Instruction : Enter your cell phone number where the consulate can reach you if needed]
• Secondary Phone Number [ Instruction : Enter your home phone number where the consulate can call you if your cell phone is not reachable. If you don’t have one, just check “Does Not Apply”]
• Work Phone Number [ Instruction : Enter your work phone number where the consulate can call you if your cell/home phones are not reachable. If you don’t have one, just check “Does Not Apply”]
• (If you have answered “Yes” to the above question) Additional Phone Number [ Instruction: Enter the additional phone number that you have used in the last five years. If you have more than one, click on the “Add Another” button to add more]
• Email Address
• Email Address [ Instruction : Enter your email address where the consulate can email you if needed]
• (If you have answered “Yes” to the above question) Additional Email Address [ Instruction : Enter the additional email address that you have used in the last five years. If you have more than one, click on the “Add Another” button to add more]

Social Media

• TENCENT WEIBO
• VKONTAKTE (VK)
• Social Media Identifier [ Instruction : Enter the username or handle of the social media platform]
• Add Another [ Instruction: If you use or used more than one social media platform, click the “Add Another” button to add more]
• Do you wish to provide information about your presence on any other websites or applications you have used within the last five years to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.)? [ Instruction: Select “Yes” if you use a social media platform that was not listed in the above question, ex: Tiktok. Otherwise, select “No”. Messaging services such as WhatsApp do not count as social media, so DO NOT enter such services here]
• Additional Social Media Platform [ Instruction: Enter the social media platform name, ex: Tiktok]
• Additional Social Media Handle [ Instruction: Enter the social media platform username or handle, ex: @myhandle]

04. Passport

• Passport/Travel Document Number [ Instruction : Enter your passport number]
• Passport Book Number [ Instruction : Just check “Does Not Apply”]
• Country/Authority that Issued Passport/Travel Document [ Instruction : Select your country of passport]
• City [ Instruction : Enter the place of issue from your passport. If you can’t find the place of issue on your passport, just enter the city where your passport was issued ]
• State/Province *If shown on passport [ Instruction : Enter state/province of issue from your passport. If the state/province of issue is not on your passport, leave this field blank]
• Country/Region [ Instruction : Select the country where your passport was issued]
• Issuance Date [ Instruction : Select the date of issue from your passport]
• Expiration Date [ Instruction : Select the date of expiration from your passport]
• Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you have ever lost your passport or stolen]
• Passport/Travel Document Number [ Instruction : Enter the passport number of the passport that was lost or stolen]
• Country/Authority that Issued Passport/Travel Document [ Instruction : Enter the country of the passport that was lost or stolen]
• Explain [ Instruction: Explain how your passport was lost or stolen]
• Add Another [ Instruction: If you had multiple incidents of lost or stolen passports, click on the “Add Another” button to enter more]

08. U.S. Contact

Contact Person or Organization in the United States

• Surnames [ Instruction : Enter the surname of your contact person in the US]
• Given Names [ Instruction : Enter the given name of your contact person in the US]
• Organization Name [ Instruction : Enter the name of the organization you know or will be visiting in the US. If you will not be visiting any, you can enter your hotel name or just check “Do Not Know”]
• SCHOOL OFFICIAL
• U.S. Street Address (Line 1)
• U.S. Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
• Phone Number

NOTE For “Contact Person or Organization in the United States”, you would need to enter AT LEAST one, either a “Contact Person” or an “Organization”. If you don’t know anyone who can vouch for you, I recommend entering the hotel where you will be staying.

Subsection: Relatives

Father’s Full Name and Date of Birth

• Surnames [ Instruction : Enter your father’s surname. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• Given Names [ Instruction : Enter your father’s given name. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• Date of Birth [ Instruction : Enter your father’s date of birth. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• U.S. Citizen [ Instruction: Use this option if your father is a US citizen, meaning holding a US passport]
• U.S. LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR) [ Instruction: Use this option if your father holds a US Green card]
• NONIMMIGRANT [ Instruction: Use this option if your father is on a nonimmigrant visa such as B, H, L, F, J]
• OTHER/I DON’T KNOW [ Instruction: Use this option if you don’t know his status in the US]

Mother’s Full Name and Date of Birth

• Surnames [ Instruction : Enter your mother’s surname. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• Given Names [ Instruction : Enter your mother’s given name. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• Date of Birth [ Instruction : Enter your mother’s date of birth. If you don’t know, check “Do Not Know”]
• U.S. Citizen [ Instruction: Use this option if your mother is a US citizen, meaning holding a US passport]
• U.S. LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR) [ Instruction: Use this option if your mother holds a US Green card]
• NONIMMIGRANT [ Instruction: Use this option if your mother is on a nonimmigrant visa such as B, H, L, F, J]
• OTHER/I DON’T KNOW [ Instruction: Use this option if you don’t know her status in the US]
• (If you have answered “Yes” to the above question) Provide the following information:
• Surnames [ Instruction: Enter your immediate relative’s (spouse, son, daughter or sibling) surname]
• Given Names [ Instruction: Enter your immediate relative’s (spouse, son, daughter or sibling) given names ]
• FIANCÉ/FIANCÉÉ
• U.S. Citizen [ Instruction: Use this option if they are a US citizen, meaning holding a US passport]
• U.S. LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR) [ Instruction: Use this option if they hold US Green card]
• NONIMMIGRANT [ Instruction: Use this option if they are on a nonimmigrant visa such as B, H, L, F, J]
• OTHER/I DON’T KNOW [ Instruction: Use this option if you don’t know their status]
• Do you have any other relatives in the United States? [ Comment: Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you have any relatives such as grandparents, in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. in the US and enter their details below]

NOTE For “Other Relatives”, select “Yes” only if you have relatives that you keep in touch with regularly and they know that you will be visiting the US soon.

Subsection: Spouse

Spouse’s Full Name and Date of Birth (include Maiden Name)

• Spouse’s Surnames [ Instruction : Enter your spouse’s surname]
• Spouse’s Given Names [ Instruction : Enter your spouse’s given name]
• Spouse’s Date of Birth [ Instruction : Select your spouse’s date of birth]
• Spouse’s Country/Region of Origin (Nationality) [ Instruction : Select your spouse’s country of nationality]
• City [ Instruction : Enter your spouse’s city of birth]
• Country/Region [ Instruction : Enter your spouse’s country of birth]
• SAME AS HOME ADDRESS
• SAME AS MAILING ADDRESS
• SAME AS U.S. CONTACT ADDRESS
• DO NOT KNOW
• OTHER (SPECIFY ADDRESS)

NOTE The “Spouse” section is only available if you have selected “MARRIED” as the “Marital Status” in “02. Personal” above.

10. Work / Education / Training

Subsection: present.

• AGRICULTURE
• ARTIST/PERFORMER
• COMMUNICATIONS
• COMPUTER SCIENCE
• CULINARY/FOOD SERVICES
• ENGINEERING
• LEGAL PROFESSION
• MEDICAL/HEALTH
• NATURAL SCIENCE
• NOT EMPLOYED
• PHYSICAL SCIENCES
• RELIGIOUS VACATION
• SOCIAL SERVICES
• Explain [ Instruction: This “Explain” box is shown only if you select “UNEMPLOYED” or “OTHER” for the above question. If you are unemployed, explain why you are unemployed. If you select “OTHER”, specify your occupation, such as Journalism, Marketing, etc.]
• Present Employer or School Name [ Instruction : Enter your current employer name (if employed) or university/college name (if student) or business name (if owns a business)]
• Start Date [ Instruction : Select the start date of your current job or school curriculum or business]
• Monthly Income in Local Currency (if employed) [ Instruction : Enter the monthly income you make from your current job or business. Check “Does Not Apply” if you are a student or retired]
• Briefly describe your duties: [ Instruction : Write a brief list of duties performed at your current employer or business]

Subsection: Previous

IMPORTANT Subsections “Previous” (previous work and education) and “Additional” (languages and travel history) are only asked for (1) all male applicants and (2) all applicants (male and female) from countries considered as questionable. Therefore, if you are a female applicant and you do not see these sections, it means you are not required to fill those sections. It’s normal, no need to worry.

• Were you previously employed? [ Instruction: Select “Yes” if you have a previous employer and enter the details below. Select “No” if your current job is your first job or you are a student]
• Employer Name
• Employer Street Address (Line1)
• Employer Street Address (Line 2) *Optional
• Supervisor’s Surname [ Instruction: If you don’t remember or know your supervisor back then, just check “Do Not Know”]
• Supervisor’s Given Names [ Instruction: If you don’t remember or know your supervisor back then, just check “Do Not Know” ]
• Employment Date From
• Employment Date To
• Briefly describe your duties:
• Add Another [ Instruction: If you have more than one previous employment, use this option to add more. You can add up to 2 previous employments]
• Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above? [ Instruction : Select “Yes” and enter your educational background below]
• Name of Institution
• Course of Study [ Instruction : Enter your course of study or degree]
• Date of Attendance From [ Instruction : Enter your university/school course start date]
• Date of Attendance To [ Instruction : Enter your university/school course end date]
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option to enter details if you have multiple degrees or a master’s degree]

NOTE Enter your educational background starting from the highest education to high school (or higher secondary).

Subsection: Additional

• Do you belong to a clan or tribe? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you belong to a recognized clan or tribe and enter the details]
• Language Name [ Instruction : Enter the language that you speak]
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option to add more languages that you speak]
• Country/Region [ Instruction : Enter the name of the country you have traveled to previously]
• Add Another [ Instruction : Use this option to add more countries that you have traveled]
• Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social, or charitable organization? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you are affiliated with a professional (IEEE, ACM, Bar Association, etc.) or charitable (Red Cross, MSF) group and enter the names of those organizations]
• Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you were trained in using firearms, etc]
• Have you ever served in the military? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you have served/serving in the military]
• Have you ever served in, been a member of, or been involved with a paramilitary unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, or insurgent organization? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you have been involved in any of those groups and enter the details below]

Provide a List of Languages You Speak For the question “Provide a List of Languages You Speak”, enter all languages that you speak, even if you speak at a beginner level.

Provide a List of Countries/Regions Visited For the question “Provide a List of Countries/Regions Visited”, enter all countries you have traveled to so far including your country of residence (if it’s not your country of passport). Exclude the US (if you have traveled to the US before), your country of passport and any country that you have merely passed through on a layover/transit.

11. Security and Background

Subsection: part 1.

• Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance? (Communicable diseases of public significance include chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, infectious leprosy, lymphogranuloma venereum, infectious stage syphilis, active tuberculosis, and other diseases as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.) [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you have any of those diseases]
• Do you have a mental or physical disorder that poses or is likely to pose a threat to the safety or welfare of yourself or others? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you have a mental or physical disorder]
• Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” only if you were a drug abuser or addict]

Subsection: Part 2

• Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Are you coming to the United States to engage in prostitution or unlawful commercialized vice or have you been engaged in prostitution or procuring prostitutes within the past 10 years? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever been involved in, or do you seek to engage in, money laundering? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you knowingly aided, abetted, assisted or colluded with an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a severe human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Are you the spouse, son, or daughter of an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States and have you within the last five years, knowingly benefited from the trafficking activities? [ Instruction : Select “No”]

Subsection: Part 3

• Do you seek to engage in espionage, sabotage, export control violations, or any other illegal activity while in the United States? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Are you the spouse, son, or daughter of an individual who has engaged in terrorist activity, including providing financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations, in the last five years? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted, or otherwise participated in genocide? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in torture? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in extrajudicial killings, political killings, or other acts of violence? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever engaged in the recruitment or the use of child soldiers? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you, while serving as a government official, been responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever been directly involved in the establishment or enforcement of population controls forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice or a man or a woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free will? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever been directly involved in the coercive transplantation of human organs or bodily tissue? [ Instruction : Select “No”]

Subsection: Part 4

• Have you ever sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the United States, or any other United States immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever been removed or deported from any country? [ Instruction : Select “No”]

Subsection: Part 5

• Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation? [ Instruction : Select “No”]
• Have you ever renounced United States citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation? [ Instruction : Select “No”]

This section may not be available if applying from certain countries such as India, Mexico, etc. In such countries, photos are typically captured along with fingerprints by the visa application center or the consulate on the day of the visa interview appointment.

Subsection: Upload Photo

In the “Upload Photo” section, upload a passport-size digital photo.

NOTE If you have uploaded and tested your photo in the “01. Getting Started” section, you will be taken directly to the “Confirm Photo” section.

NOTE You may sometimes see an “ Error: There was a missing or invalid parameter in the request ” while uploading the photo. If you see this error, try again after a few minutes. If it’s a weekend, try again on a weekday, especially during US working hours. This is a technical issue and nothing wrong with your photo. Their technical team will be notified by the system and they will fix it.

Subsection: Confirm Photo

In the “Confirm Photo” section, you will see a preview of the photo you have uploaded. If you are satisfied with your photo, click on “Next: REVIEW”. Otherwise, click on “Choose a Different Photo” to upload a different photo.

In this section, you will review all the data you have entered so far. You will click on each of the following 7 subsections to review for accuracy and any mistakes in the data you have entered.

Subsection: Personal/Address/Phone/Passport

Review the entered information in “Personal/Address/Phone/Passport”

• Personal Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in personal information, click on “Edit Personal Information” to fix the errors]
• Address and Phone Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in address and phone information, click on “Edit Address and Phone Information” to fix the errors]
• Passport/Travel Document Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in passport/travel document information, click on “Edit Passport/Travel Document Information” to fix the errors]

Subsection: Travel

Review the entered information in “Travel”

• Travel Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in travel information, click on “Edit Travel Information” to fix the errors]
• Travel Companions Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in travel companions information, click on “Edit Travel Companions Information” to fix the errors]
• Previous U.S. Travel Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in previous US travel information, click on “Edit Previous U.S. Travel Information” to fix the errors]

Subsection: U.S. Contact

Review the entered information in “U.S. Contact”

• U.S. Point of Contact Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in US point of contact information, click on “Edit U.S. Point of Contact Information” to fix the errors]

Subsection: Family

Review the entered information in “Family”

• Family Information: Relatives [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in relatives information, click on “Edit Family Information: Relatives” to fix the errors]
• Family Information: Spouse [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in spouse information, click on “Edit Family Information: Spouse” to fix the errors]

Subsection: Work/Education/Training

Review the entered information in “Work/Education/Training”

• Present Work Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in present work information, click on “Edit Present Work Information” to fix the errors]
• Previous Work Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in previous work information, click on “Edit Previous Work Information” to fix the errors]
• Additional Information [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in additional information, click on “Edit Additional Information” to fix the errors]

Subsection: Security and Background

Review the entered information in “Security and Background”

• Part 1 [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in part 1, click on “Edit Part 1” to fix the errors]
• Part 2 [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in part 2, click on “Edit Part 2” to fix the errors]
• Part 3 [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in part 3, click on “Edit Part 3” to fix the errors]
• Part 4 [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in part 4, click on “Edit Part 4” to fix the errors]
• Part 5 [ Instruction : If you see any mistakes in part 5, click on “Edit Part 5” to fix the errors]

Subsection: Location

Review the entered information in “Location”

• Location [ Instruction : If you have made a mistake in selecting the location for your visa interview, click on “Edit Location Information” to select a different location]

14. Sign and Submit

Preparer of Application

• Did anyone assist you in filling out this application? [ Instruction : Select “No”. Select “Yes” ONLY if a travel agent completed your application on your behalf]

E-Signature

• Enter your Passport/Travel Document Number: [ Instruction : Enter your passport number]
• Enter the code as shown: [ Instruction : Enter the code shown in the captcha]

After entering the above information, click on “Sign and Submit Application” to electronically sign and submit your DS-160.

IMPORTANT Once you click on “Sign and Submit Application”, you cannot make any more changes to your DS-160. If you notice any errors, then you have to fill out a new application altogether. So, make sure all your information is correct and error-free before clicking on “Sign and Submit Application”.

After you click on “Sign and Submit Application”, the following confirmation is displayed.

“You have successfully signed and submitted your application. You cannot make any changes to your application at this point. Please click ‘Next: Confirmation’ to complete the application process”

Click on the “Next: Confirmation” button to view and print your DS-160 confirmation.

15. Confirmation

On this page, confirmation of your DS-160 will be displayed. You will see 3 options –

• Print Confirmation [ Instruction : Click this button to print DS-160 confirmation. A print of your DS-160 confirmation is required to attend your US visa interview]
• Print Application [ Instruction : Click this button to print a copy of DS-160 itself. This is for your records only. You do not need a DS-160 print for your interview]
• Email Confirmation [ Instruction : Click this button to email DS-160 confirmation. You can also print this DS-160 confirmation from your email later]

Print DS-160 confirmation from this screen on an A4 or letter-size paper. If not, at least save it as a PDF so you will have a copy. Email a copy to yourself as well so you can print it later if needed.

Also, print a copy of your DS-160 to PDF so you will have a copy of that too. Later down the line if you are applying/renewing the visa, you can upload this PDF to pre-populate the DS-160 form for you. It would save a ton of time.

WHAT’S NEXT?

After you complete and submit your DS-160, the next step would be to pay the MRV fee and schedule your US visa interview. Follow this detailed step-by-step guide on how to schedule US visa interview .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to edit an already submitted DS-160 form?

Editing an already submitted DS-160 form is not possible. You will have to fill out a new DS-160 form. But you can retrieve your already submitted DS-160 form to pre-populate the information in your new DS-160 form. Follow the below steps.

– Go to the US Department of State’s  Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)  page – Click on “Retrieve an Application” – You will be asked whether you want to view the confirmation page or start a new application – Select “Start a new application” – Enter your Application ID – Submit

A new DS-160 form will be started with the information from your previous DS-160 form. Make necessary updates and submit the form. A confirmation page with a new bar code will be displayed. Print and use this new DS-160 confirmation page for your US visa appointment. Discard the old confirmation page.

If applying as a family, does everyone in the family need to submit a separate DS-160 form?

Yes. If you are applying US visas for the entire family, everyone in your family must submit a separate DS-160 form. Follow the below steps for completing DS-160 forms for everyone in the family.

1) Start your (primary applicant) DS-160 form first. Add your family members as your travel companions. 2) After submitting your DS-160 form, on the “thank you” page, you will be given the option to create the remaining DS-160 forms for your family members. 3) Follow the on-screen instructions from there, some of the common information (such as travel dates, companions, etc) will be copied over to your family members’ DS-160 forms. This saves time and helps to avoid making mistakes.

How to contact the National Visa Center if you have technical issues with DS-160

If you are facing any technical issues with your DS-160 form, you can contact the National Visa Center for help. Keep in mind that this is a phone-only help and you will have to call a US phone number. You can find the phone number on the US Department of State’s US Visas Contacts page.

That’s it, folks! Follow this step-by-step guide to fill DS-160 form for your US visa. If you have any questions or stuck at any step, reach out to me via social media or email.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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SpanishNumbers.Guide

• Numbers in Spanish

The list of Spanish numbers 1-100

Here is the complete list of numbers from 1 to 100, translated into Spanish, in their "canonical" form (singular masculine noun).

Click on any number to see more details and examples.