Beginning next week, on September 3, 2013, the Department of State (DOS) will fully transition to an online immigrant visa application. This will apply to aliens applying for immigrant visas at consulates (via the NVC) based on family or employment preferences. Immigrant visa applicants will apply online using Form DS-260 Application for Immigrant Visa. This is similar to non-immigrant applications using the DS-160 rather than the prior form DS-156. All Applicants can access the form on the Internet at www.ceac.state.gov.
This form replaces the paper DS-230. The National Visa Center (NVC) may instruct some applicants who previously submitted Form DS-230 to submit Form DS-260. Only Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants will continue to use the paper forms. The implementation of Form DS-260 is the next step in the Department of State’s creation of a secure and efficient online immigrant visa application experience.