The US Department of State (DOS) has announced that effective immediately, all K visa applicants are required to complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The DS-160 replaces forms DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-230.
DOS has also announced that during the transition to mandatory use of the DS-160 for K visas, the DS-160 is not required for K visa cases already in process at a U.S. embassy or consulate if, prior to October 7, 2013, one of the following situations exist:
- The K visa applicant is already scheduled for an interview
- The K visa applicant has already been interviewed and has been requested to submit additional documentation or is pending administrative processing
- The K visa applicant has already submitted a valid, signed, unexpired DS-156, DS-156K and/or DS-230 or received instructions to do so.