Short answer: the DS-260 is the online immigrant visa application you fill in at the National Visa Center (NVC) after your EB-3 I-140 is approved and the NVC fees are paid. You, your spouse and each child who will immigrate with you must each submit one, in English, through the CEAC website. After you press "Sign and Submit", only NVC or the embassy can open it again, so it pays to prepare before you start.
"How do I fill in the DS-260 for EB-3?" is a question we hear from many workers in Korea when NVC's welcome letter arrives. This guide follows the official State Department instructions step by step.
When does the EB-3 DS-260 open?
The DS-260 is not the first step. It comes near the end of the EB-3 Unskilled journey:
- PERM labor certification (DOL). As of 31 October 2026, DOL analyst review took 315 days on average (DOL FLAG).
- I-140 approved by USCIS.
- NVC creates your case and sends a welcome letter with a case number.
- You pay the fees in CEAC. The State Department says: "You won't have access to the application form until the fee is paid" (CEAC FAQs).
- You submit the DS-260 for every applicant and upload civil documents.
- When your priority date is current in the Visa Bulletin and NVC finds the file complete, the interview can be scheduled.
In the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Date for Bangladesh and most countries is 1 June 2022. The whole EB-3 process takes about 5 years, so many workers fill in the DS-260 years after PERM started. Our green card timeline shows where you are.
Who must fill in a DS-260?
The official page says that "each qualified family member immigrating with you must complete the Application for Immigrant Visa" (State Department, Step 6). In practice:
| Person | Own DS-260? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| You (the worker) | Yes | Your job history must match your PERM and I-140. |
| Spouse | Yes, if immigrating | Marriage details must match the marriage certificate. |
| Each unmarried child under 21 | Yes, one per child | A parent can type it for a small child. |
The DS-260 also matters for children close to 21. Under the Child Status Protection Act, the family must "seek to acquire" permanent residence within one year after a visa becomes available, and the USCIS Policy Manual lists "submitting Form DS-260 Part I" as one way to do this (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 7 Part A, Ch. 7). Check each child with our child age (CSPA) tool.
What to prepare before you start
Most fields on the DS-260 are mandatory. Collect this information first, for each applicant:
- Passport (number, issue and expiry dates) and national ID details.
- Every name you have used, including spelling differences between your passport and Bangladeshi documents.
- Home addresses since age 16, with dates – including your addresses in Korea.
- Work history with employer names, addresses and dates. Workers in Korea should use the same dates as on their employment records.
- Education history.
- Parents' and spouse's full names and dates of birth; children's details.
- Past U.S. visa applications, refusals and travel to the United States.
- The U.S. address where you plan to live (often near the sponsoring employer).
Our document checklist lists the civil documents (birth, marriage, police certificates) that you upload after the form.
Five rules from the official instructions
- English only. Answers must use English characters. A form in another language can be rejected and you must submit again (DS-260 FAQs).
- Save often. CEAC logs you off after about 20 minutes without activity, and anything typed after your last "Save" is lost.
- Do not leave required fields blank. Use "Does Not Apply" only where the form offers it.
- After submitting you cannot edit it yourself. CEAC says "Only NVC or a U.S. Embassy can re-open a Form DS-260 for you."
- Print the confirmation page. "After submitting Form DS-260 online, you must print the confirmation page and bring it to your interview."
Common DS-260 mistakes we see
- Different dates in different forms. The officer can compare your DS-260 with the PERM and I-140. If your experience dates differ, you may be asked to explain.
- Leaving out a past refusal or an old address. Answer every question truthfully; a wrong answer is more serious than an honest "yes".
- Name spelling. Use the passport spelling and list other spellings under "other names".
- Wrong interview post. Since 1 November 2025, immigrant visa applicants generally interview where they live, or in their country of nationality (State Department notice). A Bangladeshi worker living legally in Korea is usually interviewed in Seoul, or in Dhaka if they ask for their country of nationality. See our Dhaka interview page.
Signing the form is not the end. The State Department notes that "submitting Form DS-260 does not formally execute a visa application": you confirm it under oath at the interview, where you can also report a mistake you found later.
FAQ
Can I fill in the DS-260 before my priority date is current?
Yes. Once the fees are paid, you can submit the form and documents. NVC schedules the interview only when the date is current and the file is complete. Interview scheduling has also been affected by 2026 rule changes; see policy updates.
I made a mistake after submitting. What now?
Ask NVC through its Public Inquiry Form to re-open the DS-260, or tell the officer at the interview. Do not create a new case.
Does GVS fill in the DS-260 for me?
We check your information against your PERM, I-140 and documents with you, and your attorney reviews the case. The answers must be yours and true.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Your attorney decides on your case.