If you're getting a green card from outside the United States, you'll file Form DS-260, the Online Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. It's the consular processing equivalent of Form I-485. You submit it online to the National Visa Center (NVC), and it's what the U.S. consulate uses to make a decision at your immigrant visa interview.
The State Department charges $325 per applicant to process the DS-260 in 2026. Family-based applicants also pay a $120 Affidavit of Support fee. Each person in your family files their own form, even children, and each pays the fee separately.
This guide walks through who needs the DS-260, what it costs, what the form asks for, how long NVC review takes, and how to avoid the mistakes that delay interview scheduling.
2026 update: In May 2026, USCIS issued a policy memo restricting adjustment of status (Form I-485) to "extraordinary circumstances" only. For many applicants who would have filed I-485 in past years, consular processing through DS-260 is now the primary path. See our news update and our analysis of the May 2026 memo for a deeper look.
Key Takeaways
- Who needs it: Anyone applying for an immigrant visa or green card from outside the U.S. through a U.S. embassy or consulate. Family-based, employment-based, diversity visa, and special immigrant categories all use DS-260.
- Cost: $325 per applicant for the IV application fee. Family-based cases add a $120 Affidavit of Support fee. Each family member pays separately.
- Timing: NVC review typically takes 2 to 4 months after you submit. Interview scheduling depends on consulate backlog and your priority date.
- Attorney involvement: Most applicants can file DS-260 on their own. Legal help matters when you have a complex travel history, prior visa denials, criminal records, or inadmissibility concerns.
What is Form DS-260?
Form DS-260 is the immigrant visa application used by people getting their green card through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. It's filed online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and reviewed by the National Visa Center before being forwarded to the consulate handling your interview.
Unlike most USCIS forms, DS-260 isn't filed with USCIS at all. It's a State Department form. USCIS approves your underlying petition (Form I-130, I-140, etc.) and then transfers the case to NVC. From that point on, the State Department runs the process.
The form covers biographic information, travel and address history, family members, work history, education, and a long list of security and admissibility questions. Once you submit it, you cannot edit it. NVC will return it to you only if there's a major issue.
Who needs to file Form DS-260?
You need DS-260 if you're applying for an immigrant visa or green card from outside the United States. This covers most people going through consular processing rather than adjustment of status. The main categories:
Category | Examples |
|---|---|
Family-based | Spouses, parents, children, and siblings of U.S. citizens or LPRs sponsored on Form I-130 |
Employment-based | EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5 applicants whose I-140 was approved |
Diversity visa | Selected DV lottery applicants applying from abroad |
Special immigrants | Religious workers, certain juveniles, returning residents, and others |
Each family member who's getting a green card needs their own DS-260. Even children and infants file their own form. The petitioner (the U.S. citizen or LPR sponsoring the case) does not file DS-260.
If you're already in the United States in a valid status, you may have the option to file Form I-485 instead. That path has different fees and timelines and lets you stay in the U.S. while your case is pending.
How much does Form DS-260 cost?
The State Department charges fees per applicant, not per family. Most family-based cases run $445 per person between the two main fees.
Fee | Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee | $325 | All DS-260 applicants |
Affidavit of Support Review Fee | $120 | Family-based applicants only |
USCIS Immigrant Fee | $235 | Paid after visa is issued, before traveling |
Medical exam (panel physician) | $200 to $600 | Varies by country |
You also pay your USCIS petition fee (Form I-130 or I-140) earlier in the process. Those run separately. Some categories require additional fees: diversity visa selectees pay a $330 DV processing fee, and certain special immigrant categories have their own fee structures.
You pay the DS-260 fee through CEAC before submitting the form. Payment goes through the U.S. consulate's payment system, not USCIS. Save the receipt.
How do you file Form DS-260?
DS-260 is filed online through the Consular Electronic Application Center. You log in with the case number NVC assigns when your petition is transferred from USCIS.
The high-level steps:
- Wait for NVC to receive your case. After USCIS approves your I-130 or I-140, the case is sent to NVC. You'll get a welcome letter with your case number and instructions.
- Pay the fees. Log into CEAC and pay the IV application fee ($325) and, for family-based cases, the Affidavit of Support fee ($120).
- Submit civil documents. Upload supporting evidence: birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, court records, military records, and any other required documents for your country.
- Complete and submit DS-260 online. Fill it out, review it carefully, and submit. You cannot edit after submission.
- Wait for NVC to mark your case "documentarily qualified." This means everything is in order and you're ready for interview scheduling.
- Attend your interview at the consulate. NVC schedules you based on consulate availability and your priority date.
You can save your progress and come back. Sessions time out after about 20 minutes of inactivity, so save often.
What information does Form DS-260 ask for?
The form is long. Plan for 1 to 3 hours per applicant the first time through. The main sections:
Section | What it asks |
|---|---|
Personal information | Full legal name, date of birth, gender, marital status, national ID, social security number if any |
Address & contact | Current address, mailing address, phone, email |
Family information | Spouse, parents, children — names, dates of birth, locations |
Previous travel | Every country you've visited in the past 5 years, plus prior U.S. trips |
U.S. visa & immigration history | All prior U.S. visas, prior denials, prior overstays, deportations |
Work & education | Employer, job title, dates, and last 10 years of education |
Security & background | Long list of yes/no questions on criminal history, terrorism, fraud, prior immigration violations, medical conditions |
Petitioner information | Details about the U.S. citizen or LPR sponsoring you |
Bring documents for everything you'll be asked. Old passports help with the travel history section. Resumes help with the work and education section. Birth certificates for parents and children help with family information.
Be accurate and complete. Lying or omitting information on DS-260 can lead to a visa denial and a permanent bar to future U.S. immigration benefits.
How long does DS-260 processing take?
There are three timing buckets to plan around.
NVC review: 2 to 4 months from submission to "documentarily qualified" status, in most cases. Cases with missing documents or complex backgrounds take longer.
Interview scheduling: Anywhere from a few weeks to over a year after NVC marks you qualified, depending on the consulate's backlog and visa availability under the Visa Bulletin.
Post-interview: Most approved cases get the visa printed and returned within a few days to a few weeks. Cases that go into administrative processing (additional security review) can take months.
If your priority date isn't current, you may be documentarily qualified but still waiting for a visa number to become available. You can check current State Department processing times for your specific consulate.
What happens after you submit Form DS-260?
NVC reviews everything you sent in (DS-260, fees, civil documents, Affidavit of Support if applicable). They flag anything that's missing or unclear. You'll get a checklist letter if something needs fixing.
Once NVC marks your case "documentarily qualified," it sits in queue until the consulate has interview availability and your priority date is current. NVC then sends you an interview appointment letter with the date, time, location, and what to bring.
Before the interview, you'll complete a medical exam with a panel physician designated by the consulate. Bring the sealed medical results to the interview unless the physician sent them directly to the consulate.
At the interview, a consular officer reviews your application, asks questions, and decides whether to issue the visa. Most decisions happen the same day. If approved, your passport is returned with the immigrant visa stamped inside, usually within a few business days.
How is DS-260 different from Form I-485?
Both forms get you a green card. The difference is where you file and where you finish the process.
Form DS-260 | Form I-485 | |
|---|---|---|
Path | Consular processing | |
Where filed | Online via CEAC (State Department) | By mail or online via USCIS |
Where decided | U.S. consulate or embassy abroad | USCIS field office in the U.S. |
Filing fee | $325 + $120 (if family-based) | $1,440 (with biometrics) |
Work authorization | Issued with visa at interview | Optional EAD via I-765 while pending |
Travel during pending | Stay in your home country | Need Advance Parole to leave U.S. |
Typical timeline | NVC review 2–4 months, interview backlog varies | 8–24 months depending on category |
Interview required | Yes, at the consulate | Sometimes, at USCIS field office |
If you're already in the U.S. in valid status, you used to have a choice between the two. That changed in May 2026. Under the new USCIS policy memo, adjustment of status is restricted to "extraordinary circumstances," which means consular processing through DS-260 has become the default path for most applicants. The legal analysis breaks down what counts as extraordinary circumstances and who can still qualify for I-485. The news update covers the day-to-day impact.
Consular processing is often faster overall, but it requires you to leave the U.S. for the interview and waits on State Department timelines. Adjustment lets you stay in the U.S. and work while it's pending, but it's now off the table for many people who would have qualified before.
What are common DS-260 mistakes?
Most DS-260 issues are paperwork or accuracy problems. The frequent ones:
Mistake | What goes wrong | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Incomplete travel history | Missing trips trigger NVC follow-up or interview questions | List every country visited in the past 5 years, even short trips |
Wrong U.S. visa history | Forgetting old visas or denials creates inconsistency with State Department records | Pull old passports; list every U.S. visa issued, used or not |
Mismatched family info | Names or birthdates that don't match birth certificates | Cross-check against civil documents before submitting |
Address typos | Wrong addresses delay interview letters | Use the same address format you've used on other forms |
Submitting before civil documents are uploaded | NVC can't review without supporting evidence | Upload civil documents before or alongside DS-260 |
Forgetting prior immigration violations | Omissions can lead to permanent bars under INA §212(a)(6)(C) | Disclose accurately; talk to a lawyer if you have a history |
If you find a mistake after submitting, contact NVC. Small errors can sometimes be corrected at the interview. Larger ones may require resubmission.
Need help with your DS-260?
Ellis pairs you with an immigration attorney who can prep your DS-260, civil documents, and interview strategy from start to finish. Book a consultation to talk through your case.
Final tips
A few things make DS-260 go more smoothly:
- Gather civil documents before you start. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, and military records for every applicant. Translations into English where needed. See our supporting documents guide for what to expect.
- Pull every old passport you can find. Travel history is one of the longest sections, and old passports are the most accurate record.
- List every U.S. visa, even denied ones. State Department records will show prior denials. Omitting them creates inconsistencies.
- Save your CEAC progress often. Sessions time out after about 20 minutes of inactivity.
- Plan the interview timing. The consulate decides scheduling, not you. Allow flexibility in work and travel plans for the months around your interview.
- Don't open the sealed medical envelope. Same rule as I-693. If the panel physician hands you a sealed envelope, bring it to the interview unopened.
- Bring two copies of everything to the interview. Originals plus photocopies of every civil document, the DS-260 confirmation page, and the Affidavit of Support.
If you have a prior visa denial, criminal record, prior overstay, or any complicated immigration history, talk to an immigration attorney before submitting. A finding at the interview is harder to fix than a clean filing.
The information in this article is for general guidance only and is not legal advice.
