Frequently Asked Questions about the EVAF

Q: WHAT IS THE EVAF?
A: The Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) is the new electronic version of the non-immigrant visa form DS-156.  The applicant completes the form at the EVAF website, which is http://evisaforms.state.gov.  This website creates a barcode that contains all the application data.  Applicants must print out all three pages of the form and bring them to the visa interview.

Q: DO I HAVE TO USE THE EVAF, OR CAN I COME TO THE VISA INTERVIEW WITH A HANDWRITTEN VERSION OF THE DS-156?

A: As of November 1, 2006, it has become mandatory to use the EVAF.  This means that applicants with interviews on or after November 1, 2006 need to come with printouts of their EVAF.  Handwritten versions of the DS-156 will not be accepted on or after that date.  If you come with a handwritten form, you will need to leave the Embassy, make an appointment for another visa interview through NIV Appointment Request, and come back a second time with a completed EVAF.

Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DS-156, THE DS-157, AND THE DS-158?
A: The DS-156 is the basic visa application form that all visa applicants, regardless of age or visa classification, need to fill out.  It is the only version at this time which exists electronically.  This means that when you go to the EVAF website (http://evisaforms.state.gov), you will need to FILL IN THE FORM ONLINE before printing it out.

The DS-157 is an additional form that the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti requires for all applicants aged 14 and older.

The DS-158 is an additional form required for applicants for F, M, or J visas.

The DS-157 and DS-158 forms can be found on our website at the NIV Forms & Instructions link on the left navigation bar.  They do not exist electronically, meaning that applicants need to print them out and then fill them out by hand (you can also fill them out on your computer, once you have downloaded and opened them in their PDF format, and then print them).

Q. WHAT KIND OF SOFTWARE OR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO ACCESS THE EVAF WEBSITE?
A: You need the following:

· Your Internet browser must support 128-bit encryption.
· If you are using Internet Explorer (Windows), the minimum version that will work with this site is version 5.0, with service pack 2.
· If you are using Netscape, the minimum version that will work with this site is version 6.2.
· You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher, you may download a copy from Adobe's web site.
You should use either an ink-jet or laser printer to print the completed application form.

Q: THE EVAF HAS 40 QUESTIONS. DO I HAVE TO ANSWER THEM ALL AT ONE TIME, OR CAN I SAVE MY DATA AND RETURN TO THE WEBSITE LATER TO COMPLETE THE FORM?

A: The EVAF website does not allow applicants to save their data.  Therefore, when you close the EVAF website, all your data is lost.  This means that you must complete the entire form in one sitting, and click on the “Continue” button at the end.

Q. HOW DO I PRINT OUT THE FORM?

A. When you finish entering all the information on the form and press the “Continue” button at the bottom, your application is converted into a PDF file that you need to print out and bring to the visa interview.  You can save this PDF file to your computer first, and then print it out.  If you can, we recommend that you print out the form immediately.  However, if you do not have a printer connected to your computer, you can print out the PDF file at a later date.  The form must be printed in black ink on letter-size (A4) white paper with no holes or perforations.  Colored paper and lightweight fax paper will not be accepted.

Q. I’M HAVING TROUBLE PRINTING OUT THE EVAF.

A. Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, it may take several minutes to download the initial and completed copies of the form.  Please be patient.

Please remember to press the “Continue” button at the end of the form.  This action creates the 3-page PDF file, which is the one you want to print out.

Q. ONCE I HAVE PRINTED THE FORM, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH IT?

A. Please follow these steps:
· Make sure that the rectangular barcode on page 3 is clear.  If it is smeared or smudged in any way, please print out another copy.
· Staple the 3 pages together in the upper left hand corner.
· Sign your name (in English or in your native language) in question 41.
Place the form in a folder (or any other safe place) and make sure it remains in good condition until the day of your interview.  If the form is folded or damaged in any way, it will not be accepted.  Also, the third page of the EVAF, which contains the barcode, should be free of any smear or stain.

Q. WILL THE EMBASSY CONTACT ME AFTER I HAVE COMPLETED MY EVAF?

A. No.  When you fill out your EVAF, the data is not submitted to us.  In other words, we do not receive your information through the Internet.  The only way for us to obtain your information is for you to bring the printout of your EVAF to us on the day of your interview.  At that point, we will scan the barcode on page 3 to access your information.  That is why it is important for the barcode to be clearly readable and free of any smudges or stains.

Q. CAN I SEND THE EVAF TO YOU BY FAX OR E-MAIL?
A. No.  Please do not e-mail or fax us your EVAF, as we will not review it in advance of your interview.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I COME TO THE EMBASSY WITH AN INCOMPLETE OR DAMAGED EVAF?

A: It will not be accepted.  You will need to leave the Embassy, make an appointment for another visa interview through NIV Appointment Request, and come back a second time with a completed EVAF.

Q. I MADE A MISTAKE ON MY EVAF. DO I HAVE TO REDO IT?

A. Yes, you will need to redo it.

Q. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “SURNAME” AND “FIRST AND MIDDLE NAMES” ON QUESTIONS 6 AND 7 OF THE FORM?

A. For tips on how to answer specific questions, please see our “EVAF Instructions” page found under the NIV Forms & Instructions link on the left navigation bar.

Q. BESIDES THE EVAF, WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW?
A. Please see the box “Things to bring” to the right.

Q. I AM HAVING TROUBLE ACCESSING EVAF. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A. You may need to wait a few hours and try again.  Sometimes applicants cannot access the form because the EVAF website is down.  If you continue to have trouble accessing EVAF on your computer, you may want to ask a friend or family member if you can use his/her computer.


Q. CAN A FRIEND OR RELATIVE FILL OUT THE EVAF FOR ME?

A. You may ask a friend or relative to fill out the form for you, yes.  But in that case, you must make sure that your friend or relative has ALL the information necessary to fill out the form completely.  That person should then print out the form and give it to you to sign and bring to the Embassy on the day of your interview.  Please remember that if the form is incomplete or inaccurate, it will not be accepted and you will need to leave the Embassy, make an appointment for another visa interview through NIV Appointment Request, and come back a second time with a completed EVAF.

Q. CAN I PRINT OUT MORE THAN ONE COPY OF THE EVAF?

A. If you wish to print out an extra copy of the EVAF to make sure that you have a readable barcode on the day of your interview, you may certainly do so. However, please keep in mind that a barcode can be used only once.  This means that if you are refused a visa and then re-apply, you must submit/re-do an EVAF for the second interview.

Q. How do I know that my barcode is good?
A.  Please click on Barcode Specifications to see what a good one looks like.