Visto n' Visa
Blog
Notícias e artigos
Destinations
Careers
Immigrants

What is “Form DS-156E”?

Form DS-156E is used to collect commercial information in U.S. visas, not for H-1B, whose application is via Form DS-160, making it vital to strictly follow immigration laws.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on January 9, 2026
2 min read
Share

When navigating the universe of United States visas, it is essential to know the various forms and understand the purpose of each one. In the immigration environment, a good understanding of the requirements and the documents that make up the process can help avoid errors and unnecessary complications.

Form DS-156E is one of these specific forms and was developed by the U.S. Department of State. Traditionally, this form is used to collect detailed information about the company and the applicant in situations involving commercial transactions between the United States and other countries, often in contexts related to trade or investment agreements.

Although there is some confusion, it is important to emphasize that the DS-156E is generally not the form applied for H-1B visa applications. In the case of the H-1B, the visa application is usually done through Form DS-160, which is the standard form for non-immigrant visas, filled out electronically.

The use of the DS-156E tends to occur in other immigration contexts, such as cases involving internal transfers of multinational companies, where detailed information about the organizational structure and business activities is required.

It is essential to stress that, regardless of the form or visa type, strict compliance with United States immigration laws is imperative. It is always advisable for interested parties to seek information from official sources or consult qualified specialists to guide them correctly, thus avoiding the trap of miracle promises or marketing campaigns that may assure dubious results.

Staying well informed and following official guidelines helps ensure that each step of the process is completed according to the current regulations, providing more security and clarity throughout the immigration procedures.

Learn more about H-1B Visa

Initial validity
3 years
Extension
Up to 6 years total
Annual cap
85,000 visas
Processing
6-12 months
All about H-1B Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

What is “Form DS-156E”?

Form DS-156E is used to collect commercial information in U.S. visas, not for H-1B, whose application is via Form DS-160, making it vital to strictly follow immigration laws.

Recommended reading about H-1B

More content about H-1B

Quanto custa o EB-2 NIW em 2026: guia completo de taxas EB-2 NIW
Victoria Harper Victoria Harper

EB-2 NIW Costs in 2026: Complete Fee Guide

USCIS filing fees, optional attorney costs, and hidden expenses for the EB-2 NIW: a realistic budget for self-petitioners in 2026.