A new electronic visa application form introduced by the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur will become mandatory on March 1.

"The US Embassy introduced a new online non-immigrant visa application form (DS-160) on Feb 15, 2010. The form will become mandatory on March 1," the embassy said in a statement today.

All applicants for non-immigrant visas who schedule visa interviews on or after March 1 will be required to use the new form, DS-160.

The statement said the DS-160 form should be easier and quicker for most applicants than the previous application forms.

"The new application form is completely web-based. Once completed by the applicant, all data on the form is electronically transmitted to the consular section at the US Embassy," it said.

"Applicants need only print out a confirmation page to bring with them to the embassy for their interviews," the statement said.

The DS-160 form offers applicants several advantages over the previous application form. Among others, the data entered into the new DS-160 can be saved and re-used in future applications.

The form can be accessed online . Further information about the visa application is available at here .

- Bernama