Form DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

Form DS-230 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration) is required for obtaining a permanent visa in the United States. Provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, this form can be filled out by any individual seeking a permanent stay in the country. This form should only be submitted once the required applications and petitions for the specific visa category have been filed.

Effective September 1, 2013, this application has been replaced by Form DS-260, which can be submitted online, making it much easier to submit your request. However, in cases where you have been specifically instructed to file Form DS-230, or you are a Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicant, you can continue to use this form.

How to Complete Form DS-230

Filling out the form correctly is critical to ensuring the timely processing of your visa application. One form must be submitted for each member of your family. 

The form has two parts, and each section must be filled out in its entirety. In addition, both sections must be filled out with the assistance of a consular office within the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you are applying at. 

If you do not have enough room on the form to enter the required information, you can use a separate sheet of paper.

Part I: Demographic Information 

This section will collect personal information about you and your family, including your full name as it appears on your passport, your date of birth, nationality, etc. 

If any question does not apply to you, enter non-applicable or “N/A” in that space. If the question requires a numerical response and does not apply to you, enter none in that space. Provide your signature at the bottom of this section. 

This section will require the following information:

• Surname (last name)/First Name/Middle Name (as it appears on passport)
• Other names
• Your full name as it is written in your native language
• Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy)
• Current age
• Place where you were born (City/Town/Province/Country)
• Your nationality 
• Your gender
• Your marital status (married, divorced, separated, widowed, etc.)
• Where you will live in the United States
• Mailing address for delivery of visa
• Current occupation
• Current address
• Information about your spouse, if applicable
  • Name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Current address
  • Current occupation
  • Your marriage date
• Information about your father
  • Father’s full name
  • Father’s date and place of birth
  • Fathers current address
  • Father’s date of death, if applicable
• Information about your mother
  • Mother’s full name
  • Mother’s date and place of birth
  • Mother’s present address
  • Mother’s date of death
• Information about your child or children, if applicable
  • Child or children’s full name
  • Child or children’s date and place of birth
  • Child or children’s present address
• List of all addresses you’ve lived at for a minimum of six months since you were 16 years old
• List of of anyone who will accompany you 
• List of the individual(s) who will follow you after you immigrate
• List of all jobs you’ve held over the past 10 years
• List of all schools you have attended (name of the school/dates/courses/diploma or degree awarded)
• Military service, if applicable
• List of all of the previous trips and/or residencies in the United States

Part II: Sworn Statement

In this section, you will reiterate your name, address, and phone number. You will also answer detailed questions about your past, including medical and criminal information. Read these statements in their entirety and provide either a yes or no answer. Line 35 must be answered with the assistance of a consular officer, so stop after Line 34. 

Processing Timeline for Form DS-230

Once you have submitted your form, paid your fees, and completed your U.S. visa interview, you’ll have to wait for your visa application to be processed. Processing times will depend on the type of visa you’ve applied for and can vary between a few weeks and a few months. Once processed, you will be notified whether your application was approved or denied.

Form DS-230 vs. DS-260: What’s the Difference?

Forms DS-230 and DS-260 serve the same purpose, which is to establish permanent residency within the United States. However, form DS-260 is submitted online via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), whereas the previous form (DS-230) had to be submitted via the consular office. The rules, regulations, and processes remain the same for both forms.

Get Help Submitting Your Visa Application Today

You have the right to request assistance with your visa application. A permanent visa request can be difficult trying to navigate on your own. 

Our immigration lawyers can advise you on the type of visa to apply for, ensure your application is completed correctly, and represent you if you must appear in court. If you have questions about the DS-230 form or need assistance with your visa application, contact our team at New Frontier Immigration Law today.