The DS-160 is the mandatory Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for US visas. All visa applicants, including those from India, must provide detailed personal, travel, academic, and professional information. It is the official record of an applicant's eligibility and intentions for temporary travel to the US, allowing the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) to process their application and visa interview. Applicants must submit the form online, print a confirmation page with the barcode, and bring it to their visa interview.