If I have a ‘blanket petition’, do I still need the DS-160?

Yes. Even when a company has an approved blanket petition, each person applying for an L-1 visa must complete their own DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form.

The blanket petition and the DS-160 serve different purposes. The blanket petition allows a company to establish, in advance, the eligibility of a group of employees, streamlining the process at the consulate. The DS-160, on the other hand, is individual: it compiles each applicant’s personal and professional history and is what allows them to schedule the interview.

In other words, one does not replace the other:

• The blanket petition simplifies things on the company’s side.
• The DS-160 is required for each applicant, including dependents also applying for a visa.
• Without the DS-160, scheduling the consular interview is not possible.

Since forms and procedures may be updated, confirm current requirements through the official sources of the Department of State and USCIS, or with a specialist before starting the scheduling process.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.