How to Update an Expired DS-160 After Booking Visa Appointment for Family Members

Updated: Jun 3

The DS-160 form is valid for one year from completion, while the current wait time for US visitor visa interviews is over 365 days. Due to the long wait times for US visitor visa (B1/B2) appointments in India, there's a high chance that your DS-160 form may have expired by the time your appointment arrives.

If your DS-160 has expired and you're currently standing at one of the four centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Chennai, and searching for how to update it, continue reading this blog for step-by-step guidance.

US Visa Waiting Time

As of Jun 03, 2024, the US visitor visa (B1/B2) waiting time for India is as follows:

Location in India	US Visitor Visa Waiting Time
Mumbai	498 days
Delhi	114 days
Chennai	529 days
Kolkata	135 days

How to Check DS-160 Validity?

To check the validity of your DS-160, locate the 'completion date' on the confirmation page, generated after electronically submitting and signing the DS-160 form. The 'completion date' is below the travel purpose information on the DS-160 confirmation page.

If your 'completion date' is over a year old, your DS-160 has already expired, and you must fill it out again. You don't need to pay the appointment fees again, but you will need to update your DS-160 since it has a validity of one year.

Changing an Expired DS-160 After Booking Appointment

To update an expired DS-160 after booking an appointment, you must retrieve your application, which will automatically fill out all the details for you. Then, you will sign and submit the form. Follow these steps:

Visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Enter the location where you will be giving the interview and select 'Retrieve Application'.
Do not select 'Create a New Application'.
Next, enter your expired application ID and hit 'Retrieve Application'.
The system will automatically fill in most of the information from your previous expired application.
Keep saving the DS-160 form, otherwise your session will expire.
Sign and submit as a preparer (using your details) and you will receive a new confirmation number.
Validate the completion date, it should be today's date.
Take the printout and attend the interview.

I had to fill out the DS-160 form again for my parents because I submitted it over a year ago. In our case, the embassy gave my parents a few hours to complete the form, print it, and present it on the same day.

I filled out the DS-160 form at night in the US time zone while my parents were in India at the embassy, looking for places to print the new confirmation page. Trust me, it was not a good experience.

If you found this blog helpful, please share this experience so that others are aware and do not have to go through this hassle. Comment and share your thoughts.