Common DS-160 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The DS-160 is the first thing the officer sees about your application, and its mistakes are among the most common causes of delays and rebooking. Most are simple and can be avoided with a calm review before you submit.

Here are the most frequent errors, with what the official DS-160 FAQ says about each, and what to do if you find a mistake.

The Photo

The color photo you upload must have been taken within the last 6 months, with a plain white or off-white background, a visible face, a direct look and a neutral expression. Eyeglasses are generally not allowed except in rare medical cases, and edited photos or photos copied from official documents are not accepted.

If the upload fails, the confirmation page shows an X, and you then bring one printed photo that meets the requirements with your confirmation page.

Names and Passport Data

Enter your name exactly as in your passport. The FAQ says to give your surname as written in the passport, and to enter FNU if the passport has no first name. For other names you have used, write them in full.

Wrong digits, wrong dates or a name spelled differently from the passport cause trouble at matching. Check your passport details character by character before you submit.

Travel Companions and Family Applications

When traveling as a family, the form offers a family option. When you choose it, some information such as the destination is imported into a new application for each person. This saves time, but review each form separately.

In practice, we recommend that companions' details and the travel plan match across everyone's forms. This is general advice, not an official rule.

Previous Visits and Refusals

The form asks for the dates of your last five visits to the US, if any, and you may also be asked about your international travel over the past five years. Gather these dates from your old passports before you start.

Any previous US visa refusal must be stated honestly. Inaccurate answers can lead to a denial of the application.

Social Media Identifiers

The form asks for your identifiers on the listed platforms. According to the Department's 2019 FAQ on social media collection, anyone who used a listed platform in the past five years provides the identifier, and anyone with no accounts answers "None".

Officers do not ask for passwords, only the identifier. And do not choose "None" if you do have an account.

Note that on 18 September 2026 the Department announced expanded social media vetting for certain visa categories and asked for accounts to be set to public. B1/B2 is not in the published list on the appointment system. Check the official announcements before you apply.

The Confirmation Page and Barcode

Print the confirmation page and keep it. The FAQ says you need it in all phases of the application, and that without it your case may not be processed.

The appointment system also requires that your DS-160 number matches the booking. It can be updated once, at least three business days before the interview.

Unanswered Fields and Saving

Most questions are mandatory, and the system will not let you submit with a mandatory field unanswered. Even so, do not leave optional fields blank without thinking if they apply to your case.

Keep your Application ID, since you need it to return to an unfinished form, and you have 30 days to do so. Do not use the browser's back button while editing; use the system's buttons.

What to Do if You Made a Mistake

1. Before submitting: fix the field from the review page using the system's buttons.
2. After submitting: the FAQ explains reopening the application with its ID and correcting it. If you must submit a new form, update its number in your booking within the allowed window.
3. If the mistake is significant and your appointment is close, confirm the next step with the consulate or the appointment system before the interview.
4. At the interview: if you notice an uncorrected error, tell the officer honestly and clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the DS-160 after submitting?

The official FAQ explains that you can reopen the application with its ID and correct it. In some cases you may need a new form, and its number can be updated in your booking only once, at least three business days before the interview.

Can I fill in the form in stages?

Yes. Keep your Application ID, and you have 30 days to return to an unfinished form.

What if my passport has no first name?

Enter FNU in the first name field, as the official FAQ explains.

Do I list my personal social media accounts?

Yes, if you used any of the listed platforms in the past five years. Officers do not ask for your password.

How do I prepare for the interview once the form is right?

Read Common US Visa Interview Questions and the B1/B2 guide from DS-160 to the interview.

Prepare Your File With Almorad

We review your DS-160 together with your documents before you submit it, and we book your appointment. The decision rests with the consulate and we never promise approval. If you are looking for a tourist visa office in Riyadh, see our US visa service or visa services, or message us on WhatsApp. If you were refused before, read What to Do After a Visa Refusal.