NIV Application Materials

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS.  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FORMS AND EXPLANATION MATERIALS.

Basic Information

The application form you submit for a nonimmigrant visa helps us decide whether you are qualified to receive a visa. Therefore, it is very important that the application form be filled out completely and correctly. If the form is not filled out completely and correctly, we will be unable to accept or process your application and you may be asked to make another visa interview appointment on another day. We are unable to fill out the application form for you. Please make sure that:

1. Every question is answered. If your answer to a question is "no" or "does not apply," please so indicate. Do not leave any questions blank.
2. You should supply one application form (DS -156) completed in English. All applicants must use the electronic version of this form and complete it online. The resulting form will print with a bar code and can be processed quickly on the interview day. 
3. Please make sure that the data on your application form exactly matches that of your passport, especially passport number, name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and gender.  Incorrect data in these areas could significantly delay the processing of your non-immigrant visa application. 
4. You must attach a recent (taken within the last six months) 2-inch square (50-mm square) photograph to the form (with glue or one staple close to the side edge).
5. All Applicants must complete a DS-156 “Application for Non-Immigrant Visa” and DS-157 “Supplemental Visa Application Information” form.  Applicants applying for student visas (F, M, & J visa categories) MUST Also complete a DS-158 “Contact and Work History” form.
6. You must review your application forms for completeness and accuracy before you submit them. You must sign and date the application form. Please remember: your signature indicates that all of the information you have provided is correct, even if someone else filled out the form on your behalf.

Visa Application Forms:

DS-156 Visa Application Form (https://218.240.8.118/ds156c.asp)  - All applicants MUST complete the electronic barcode version of DS-156 application form in English.  Complete the electronic form and print it according to the directions.  A unique bar code will appear on the printed form.  Please bring the completed form to your visa interview, and please make sure that the barcode number on page 3 of the printed application is the same as the barcode number on page 1 of the printed application. The form is three pages, and must be printed on just one side of three pages.  Only A-4 or 8.5 x 11 inch paper will be accepted.  Please be sure to make sure that the data on your application form exactly matches that of your passport, especially passport number, name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and gender.  Incorrect data in these areas could significantly delay the processing of your non-immigrant visa application. 

Please click here to download our convenient and detailed step-by-step instructions for completing the application and preparing for your interview.

Please make sure that your DS-156 Visa Application Form meets the following standards:

Country:  Please choose “China-Mainland” as appropriate.

Question 6 & 7:  Please enter your surname and given name EXACTLY as listed in your passport.

Question 8 & 9:  For Chinese citizens, if there are more than 2 characters in the surname or given name, please enter your name again, but leave a space between the pinyin of the characters of your given name. 

For Chinese passport holders, when you have printed the DS-156 Visa application form, please handwrite on your application  the following items: 

Questions 6 & 7:  Please write your name in Chinese, and add the Standard Chinese Telecode number next to each character.  The telecode number is free at China Post offices, or you can use the following free websites:

English: http://www.njstar.com/tools/telecode/
Chinese: http://www.dianma.org/ or this site sponsored by Qinghua University.  

Question 15:  Please handwrite the address in Chinese language.

Question 20:  Please handwrite your employer in Chinese language.

Question 21:  Please handwrite your occupation in Chinese language.  

Please tape the “Machine Readable Visa Payment Receipt to page 3 of the printed application.

If you have an additional alias, or an English name, please write it below the 2D barcode on page 3 of the printed application.

Do not staple your application.

DS-157 Supplemental Visa Application Form - ALL applicants currently should fill out a DS-157, including minors.  It must be completed in English language, but it can be handwritten. The form is one page, and must be printed on A-4 or 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

• DS-157 (Doc)

• DS-157 (English-PDF*)

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