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What should I do after filling out the DS-160 form before my visa interview?

By Shachi Mall· July 28, 2026Updated July 2026· 2 min readDS-160 Form

Most applicants hit submit on their DS-160 and move on — but skipping one final step before you close the browser could leave you completely unprepared at the visa window.

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Double-check every page before you hit submit

Before you do anything else, go back through every single page of your DS-160 and verify that the information you have entered is accurate. Check for typos, incorrect dates, or any details that look off. Only once you are satisfied that everything is correct should you hit submit, provide your e-signature, and move on.

Save and print your confirmation page

After you submit, a confirmation page will appear on your screen. This is the document you need to bring with you to your visa interview — do not close the window without saving it. Save a digital copy and, if at all possible, print a physical copy as well. You will be asked for it at the interview, so treat it as one of your most important documents.

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Save or print the full DS-160 form itself — this is what most people forget

Here is the step that a lot of people completely skip. Before you close your browser, it will give you the option to save or print your entire DS-160 form. Please do this. I cannot stress it enough.

The reason this matters so much is that you will likely fill out your DS-160 several months before your actual interview date. By the time you are sitting in front of the visa officer, you may not remember exactly what you wrote — your previous travel history, the dates you entered, the way you described your employment. The officer can ask about any of it, and if your answer does not match what is on your form, it raises red flags.

Having a saved or printed copy of your completed DS-160 lets you review it carefully in the days leading up to your interview. Go through it the same way an officer would. Know what you said, so you can speak to it confidently.

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Shachi Mall, U.S. visa interview preparation expert

Shachi Mall

U.S. visa interview preparation expert. Has helped 1000+ applicants prepare for F1, B1/B2, H1B, L1 and other non-immigrant visa interviews using the STAMP method.