U.S. Department of State Expands Information Requested on Form DS-260

October 1, 2026

The U.S. Department of State has recently updated Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, expanding the amount of personal, family, passport, and international travel information requested from immigrant visa applicants.

One of the most significant changes is the expansion of an applicant’s foreign travel history from five years to fifteen years. The revised DS-260 asks applicants to identify countries or regions visited outside the United States during that period and provide additional details regarding their travel.

Applicants should be prepared to provide additional information concerning:

• 15 years of international travel history, rather than five years, including countries/regions and cities visited, arrival dates, length of stay, and who paid for each trip;
• Other passports and nationalities, including certain passports or nationalities held or relinquished during the preceding 15 years;
• Civil and domestic partners, in addition to information traditionally requested about spouses;
• Nationality information for spouses/partners and children; and
• Siblings, including identifying biographical information such as name, date of birth, and nationality.

The expanded DS-260 requirements may require significantly more preparation, particularly for applicants who have traveled frequently, held multiple passports or nationalities, or have extensive family histories. Complete and accurate responses remain critical throughout the immigrant visa process.

If you have questions about completing the DS-260 or how these changes may affect your immigrant visa application, contact Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. to speak with an experienced immigration attorney at info@wildeslaw.com.