The document provides guidance on completing Form DS-260, which is necessary for applying for an immigrant visa. It explains how to access the form online, save progress, retrieve saved applications, and offers troubleshooting tips for technical difficulties. Key points include mandatory fields, saving applications, and handling timeouts during the application process.

1. Immigrant VisasImmigrant Visas
Completing Form DS-260Completing Form DS-260

2. CompletingCompleting Form DS-260Form DS-260 is the first step inis the first step in
applying for a immigrant visa.applying for a immigrant visa.
This presentation will cover:This presentation will cover:

3. How do I get started?How do I get started?

4. How do I get started?How do I get started?
Form DS-260Form DS-260 is available online atis available online at
https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx
Enter theEnter the Invoice ID NumberInvoice ID Number that the Nationalthat the National
Visa Center has sent you.Visa Center has sent you.
Select who you are from theSelect who you are from the ‘I AM’‘I AM’ drop downdrop down
list:list: Applicant, Attorney, Petitioner or ThirdApplicant, Attorney, Petitioner or Third
Party Agent.Party Agent.

5. How do I get started?How do I get started?
AllAll beneficiariesbeneficiaries and anyand any derivativesderivatives areare
required to complete an individual Form DS-required to complete an individual Form DS-
260.260.
Form DS-260 is dynamic based on theForm DS-260 is dynamic based on the
information you provide.information you provide.
You should answerYou should answer all questionsall questions truthfully andtruthfully and
to the best of your abilityto the best of your ability

6. How do I access a previously savedHow do I access a previously saved
DS-260?DS-260?
If you have saved your application, you mayIf you have saved your application, you may
be able tobe able to retrieveretrieve it at:it at:
https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspxhttps://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx
You should selectYou should select ‘View/Edit’‘View/Edit’ from the IV andfrom the IV and
Alien Registration section of SummaryAlien Registration section of Summary
Information screen.Information screen.

7. Why can’t I access my previously savedWhy can’t I access my previously saved
DS-260?DS-260?
Once you have submitted your application byOnce you have submitted your application by
clicking theclicking the ‘Sign and Submit Application’‘Sign and Submit Application’
you will be unable toyou will be unable to retrieveretrieve your applicationyour application
again without assistance fromagain without assistance from NVC, or theNVC, or the
Immigrant Visa Unit.Immigrant Visa Unit.

8. What if I need to step away if I am in theWhat if I need to step away if I am in the
middle of completing my DS-260?middle of completing my DS-260?
You may save theYou may save the DS-260DS-260 anytime by clickinganytime by clicking
on theon the ‘Save’‘Save’ button at the bottom of everybutton at the bottom of every
page if you need to step away.page if you need to step away.
The data that you have entered up to theThe data that you have entered up to the
point of clickingpoint of clicking ‘Save’‘Save’ will be stored until youwill be stored until you
are ready to complete the form.are ready to complete the form.

9. What do I do if my application has timedWhat do I do if my application has timed
out?out?
If your DS-260 has beenIf your DS-260 has been inactiveinactive forfor
approximatelyapproximately 20 minutes20 minutes, it will log you off, it will log you off
from CEAC.from CEAC.
All data you have entered up until the lastAll data you have entered up until the last
time you clickedtime you clicked ‘Save’‘Save’ will bewill be stored.stored.
Any data entered after last clickingAny data entered after last clicking ‘Save’‘Save’ willwill
bebe lost.lost.

10. I am experiencing technical difficulties,I am experiencing technical difficulties,
Can you help me?Can you help me?

11. I am experiencing technical difficulties.I am experiencing technical difficulties.
Can you help?Can you help?
When completing theWhen completing the DS-260DS-260, we advise you to:, we advise you to:

12. I am experiencing technical difficulties.I am experiencing technical difficulties.
Can you help?Can you help?
When completing theWhen completing the DS-260,DS-260, we advise you to:we advise you to:

13. The form crashes each time I add anThe form crashes each time I add an
address, can you help me?address, can you help me?
We recommend that you inputWe recommend that you input oneone addressaddress
and move onto the next part of the DS-260.and move onto the next part of the DS-260.
If you have lived atIf you have lived at multiple addressesmultiple addresses, you, you
may wish to write the additional addressesmay wish to write the additional addresses
on aon a piece of paperpiece of paper andand provideprovide this at thethis at the
time of your interview.time of your interview.

14. I’m unsure how to answer a question,I’m unsure how to answer a question,
can you help?can you help?
Answer the question to theAnswer the question to the best of yourbest of your
abilityability, you will have the opportunity to, you will have the opportunity to
discussdiscuss the matter with the consular officerthe matter with the consular officer
during your interview.during your interview.

15. Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?
Most fields are mandatory. However, youMost fields are mandatory. However, you
can leave fields marked ascan leave fields marked as ‘Optional’‘Optional’ blanks.blanks.
Some fields my give you the option to selectSome fields my give you the option to select
‘Does Not Apply’.‘Does Not Apply’.
If a field does not apply to you, mark the boxIf a field does not apply to you, mark the box
next tonext to ‘Does Not Apply’‘Does Not Apply’

16. Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?Are all fields on the DS-260 mandatory?
The application willThe application will not allownot allow you to moveyou to move
onto the next stage or submit the form if anyonto the next stage or submit the form if any
mandatorymandatory fields are left blank.fields are left blank.
If youIf you do notdo not answer all the mandatoryanswer all the mandatory
questions that apply, your form may bequestions that apply, your form may be
rejected.rejected.

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