Completing the DS-160 for an E-2 Visa
By Doğukan Ergüven, Founder Checked against primary sources
The DS-160 is the online form at the center of most E-2 visa applications filed at a U.S. consulate. For E-2 applicants it is paired with the DS-156E, the treaty trader and investor supplement. Completing the DS-160 for an E-2 visa accurately, and consistently with the rest of the file, keeps the application moving.
What the DS-160 is
Form DS-160 is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application used for most temporary U.S. visa categories, including the E-2. It collects personal, travel, and background information, and it generates a confirmation page with a barcode that the applicant brings to the interview.
The DS-156E supplement
For treaty trader and investor cases, the DS-160 is generally accompanied by Form DS-156E. The DS-156E captures the details of the business and the investment: ownership, the nature of the enterprise, the amount invested, and the employees. It is where the E-2-specific story is told on the forms.
E-2-specific entries
On the DS-160, the visa category is set to the treaty trader and investor classification. The application should reflect the business, the applicant's role, and travel intent consistently with the business plan and the DS-156E. Inconsistencies between the forms and the evidence are a common source of questions.
Common mistakes
A handful of avoidable errors slow applications down:
- Names or passport details that do not match the passport exactly
- A photo that does not meet the format requirements
- Answers that conflict with the business plan or DS-156E
- Leaving the confirmation page behind on interview day
- Starting the DS-160 too late, since it can take time to complete
After submission
After submitting the DS-160, the applicant prints the confirmation page, pays the visa fee, and schedules the interview. The confirmation page barcode links the application to the appointment. E2 Studio includes a DS-160 checklist that organizes these steps.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the DS-160 the only form for an E-2 visa?
- No. Consular E-2 applicants generally complete the DS-160 and the DS-156E supplement together. The DS-156E covers the business and investment details specific to treaty investor cases.
- Can the DS-160 be saved and finished later?
- Yes. The DS-160 can be saved and resumed, which helps because gathering accurate business and travel details takes time. The confirmation page is generated once the form is submitted.
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