Since the beginning of this year, lawyers and foreign nationals seeking to apply for immigrant visas (“green cards”) and non-immigrant visas have been confronted with problems, starting with completing the application forms. The DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, must be completed and submitted before an appointment for an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate can be scheduled.  The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, must be completed for a non-immigrant visa before a visa interview can be scheduled at a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate. 

Many lawyers and foreign nationals have reported increased frustration at the technical problems that prevent visa applicants from efficiently completing the DS-160 or DS-260 online application form, which often crashes and deletes whatever information has already been supplied by the applicant. Switching between browsers (Firefox, Chrome, etc.) does not solve the issue.

The online system runs the highest risk of crashing once the applicant begins listing past addresses required for either form. The safest way for an applicant to finish with minimal disruption to:

• Clear browser history before starting
• “Save” the information on the form after entering every two addresses.  

We hope this information is helpful.