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US visa · DS-160

Your DS-160 answers, complete and checked.

An independent tool for the US visa form, built around the applicant: only your questions, in plain words, in English or Russian, with a check at the end of every chapter.Only your questions, in plain words, in English or Russian, with a check at the end of every chapter.

Start your DS-160How it works

No account needed · Drafts save in this browser · English and РусскийNo account needed · Drafts save in this browser

  • Only the questions that apply to youSingle? No spouse pages. A visitor never sees the student pages.
  • Help in plain words beside every pageWhat to have ready, what the official note means, what is still missing.
  • A draft that waitsA draft that waits - no 20-minute timeoutThe official site signs you out after 20 minutes without activity. Here, answers save as you go.
  • Laid out as the DS-160Your answers appear in the official form’s own page order.

  • Only your questions

    Single? You are never asked about a spouse. The form shapes itself around your answers.

  • Help where you need it

    Beside every page: what to have ready, what the official note means in plain words, and what is still missing.

    Help for this page

    ›

    Have ready

    Your passport, open at the data page

    Before you type

    Your sex, date and place of birth must match your passport, letter for letter. If the country you were born in has a different name today, choose today's name.

    The help panel, as it sits beside the question about your birth.

  • A draft that waits for you

    Answers save as you go. Close the tab, come back tomorrow, carry on where the chapter check points.Answers save as you go. Close the tab, come back tomorrow, carry on.

  • Laid out as the DS-160

    Your answers laid out page by page, in the official form’s own order - in English, as the official form needs them.

Help for this page

›

Have ready

Your passport, open at the data page

Before you type

Your sex, date and place of birth must match your passport, letter for letter. If the country you were born in has a different name today, choose today's name.

The help panel, as it sits beside the question about your birth.

How it works

From a blank page to a complete DS-160, in three steps.

  1. Create a draft

    Your answers save in this browser as you go. No account is needed; one lets you continue on another device.Your answers save in this browser as you go. No account is needed.

  2. Answer and check each chapter

    Short chapters - you see only the ones you are asked. Skipped something? The chapter check lists it, and you can come back later.Skipped something? The chapter check lists it, and you can come back later.

  3. See it as the DS-160

    Your answers in the official form’s page order, page by page. Tick each page off as you go.Your answers in the official form’s page order, page by page.

Available now and planned

Start with the DS-160 now. More is planned.

We plan to bring the same short chapters and plain-language help to other official forms.

Available now

US visa · DS-160

Prepare answers for a US nonimmigrant visa application at the US embassy or consulate you choose. The questions are those the official form asks at Warsaw; for a visitor (B1/B2) visa they were checked to be the same at ten embassies and consulates, Warsaw among them. Traveling as a family? The trip, the US contact and a shared home address can be copied into a family member’s application when you add them - and you confirm every copy.For a US nonimmigrant visa application at the embassy or consulate you choose, with the form’s questions as asked at Warsaw and checked for visitor visas at ten embassies and consulates, Warsaw among them. Traveling as a family? The trip, the US contact and a shared address are copied once, and you confirm each copy.

Start your DS-160
  • Planned

    US travel · ESTA

    Travel authorization is one of the next forms we plan to support. It is not available in Pencilstep yet.One of the next forms we plan to support. Not available yet.

  • Planned

    More languages

    English and Russian now, every question and explanation included. Later languages are planned as reviewed language packs.English and Russian now. Later languages are planned as reviewed language packs.

  • Planned

    More of life’s paperwork

    Which forms come next, and when, is not yet set. The method stays the same: short chapters, plain words, help beside every page.Which forms come next, and when, is not yet set.

Your answers, where you choose.

Pencilstep is an independent preparation tool with no government affiliation. You choose where your answers are kept.

On this device

Start without an account. Drafts stay in this browser; clearing its data removes them.

In an account

Continue on another device. Applications are saved on the server; you choose which local drafts to add. Anyone with an email address can create an account.Continue on another device; you choose which local drafts to add.

HTTPS encrypts what travels between your browser and Pencilstep; server data is stored on encrypted disks; passwords are hashed. Removed account applications can be brought back for 30 days.

Independent, with no government affiliation. You choose where your answers are kept.

How your information is handled

Questions about Pencilstep

What do I have when I finish?

A complete DS-160: every chapter checked, and your answers laid out in the official form’s page order, page by page. The relevant authority decides the outcome of the application.A complete DS-160: every chapter checked, and your answers laid out in the official form’s page order.

Do I need an account?

You can prepare and review a draft on this device without an account. An account saves applications on the server so you can continue on another device. Anyone with an email address can create one.No. An account saves applications on the server so you can continue on another device. Anyone with an email address can create one.

Which languages can I use?

English and Russian, including every DS-160 question, its explanation and its answer choices. Your answers stay in English, as the official form requires; when the interface is in Russian, the DS-160 view shows the official English beside it.English and Russian, every question included. Your answers stay in English, as the official form requires; in Russian, the DS-160 view shows the official English beside it.

Is Pencilstep an official government service?

No. Pencilstep is an independent preparation tool with no government, embassy or immigration-authority affiliation. Its guidance explains the questions; it is not legal or immigration advice.No. It is an independent preparation tool; its guidance explains the questions and is not legal advice.