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Form DS-230 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration) used to be required to obtain a permanent visa in the United States. Provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, this immigration form was for individuals seeking to become permanent residents of the country.
Form DS-260, now available for online submission, has taken the place of this application as of September 1, 2013, making it much simpler to submit your request. However, in cases where you have been specifically instructed to file Form DS-230, or you are a Cuban Family Reunification Parole or Diversity Visa applicant, you may still be able to use this form.
Our attorneys can make sure you are using the correct immigration forms and guide you through the process.
Department of State Forms
The Department of State forms are a set of legal documents necessary for passports, visas, and travel. They can be found on the Department of State’s website, and the most commonly searched forms are DS-230 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration), DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application), and DS-11 (Application for US Passport).
While applying for a passport in the US, an original certificate of citizenship or naturalization must be submitted along with a photocopy to the Department of State form. For instructions relating to Form I-94 or I-94W, travelers should refer to the US Customs and Border Protection website instead.
It is important to remember that regulations vary from country to country regarding visa requirements, so it’s best practice to double-check requirements before traveling abroad.
How to Complete Form 230 or its Replacement
An Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration should only be submitted once the required applications and petitions for the specific visa category have been filed. Correctly filling out the form 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 US 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. That said, you will most likely be required to complete a DS-260 form, which is an online form.
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
- The place where you were born (city, town, province, or country)
- Your nationality
- Your gender
- Your marital status (married, divorced, separated, widowed, etc.)
- Where will you live in the United States
- Mailing address for delivery of visa
- Current occupation
- Current address
- Information about your spouse, if applicable (name, date, place of birth, current address, current occupation, and your marriage date)
- Information about your father (his full name, his birthdate and place of birth, his current address, and his date of death, if applicable)
- Information about your mother (her full name, her birthdate and place of birth, her current address, and her date of death, if applicable)
- Information about your child or children, if applicable (child or children’s full names, their birth dates and places of birth, and their present addresses)
- List of addresses you’ve lived at for a minimum of six months since you were 16 years old
- List of anyone who will accompany you
- List of the individual(s) who will follow you after you immigrate
- List of every job you’ve had 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 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 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 still have to wait for your visa application to be processed. The processing time 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 are both used to establish permanent residency within the United States.
However, form DS-260 is submitted online via the Consular Electronic Application Center, 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
A permanent visa request can be difficult to navigate on your own, and you have the right to request assistance with your application. 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.