DS-156 Question

[smg1138 0]

I read somewhere that you're supposed to leave them blank, but my fiancee said she read something that said you're supposed to put N/A. So, which one is it? This is really confusing.

[heartRN 0]

I have not got to that part yet, but I would think is safer to put N/A instead of leaving the question blank. That way they would know that you actually read the question.

that is propably what we will do.

Marcela

[Fred N Emilia 0]

Read the guides. Some will require NONE, N/A. Try not to leave any fields blank.

[pushbrk 12,824]

I read somewhere that you're supposed to leave them blank, but my fiancee said she read something that said you're supposed to put N/A. So, which one is it? This is really confusing.

N/A is preferred to leaving anything blank but take great care in determining what is not applicable.

[SuperDuper! 230]

NA

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Also, pay close attention to any instructions you get from the consulate regarding this form. The DS-156 is filled out online, and the result is a custom generated PDF file containing a 2 dimensional barcode. Embedded in the barcode is ALL of the data you entered on the form. The consulates may enter data from the form into their computers by simply scanning the barcode.

Entering "N/A" into fields like questions 8 and 9 (other names used) could cause major problems with the background checks. Some consulates will have additional specific instructions. For instance, the consulate in HCM does not want you to enter ANYTHING for the country and province where the passport was issued - they want the name of the city only. They also specifically want you to leave questions 8 and 9 blank if you don't have any other names to enter. They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

[Starlight95 1]

Anyone have a copy of the DS 156 that can be saved? I found the copy, but it is not enabled to save it. Thanks!

Star

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Anyone have a copy of the DS 156 that can be saved? I found the copy, but it is not enabled to save it. Thanks!

Star

You're supposed to fill it out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov

[Starlight95 1]

Anyone have a copy of the DS 156 that can be saved? I found the copy, but it is not enabled to save it. Thanks!

Star

You're supposed to fill it out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov

Thanks!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Also, pay close attention to any instructions you get from the consulate regarding this form. The DS-156 is filled out online, and the result is a custom generated PDF file containing a 2 dimensional barcode. Embedded in the barcode is ALL of the data you entered on the form. The consulates may enter data from the form into their computers by simply scanning the barcode.

Entering "N/A" into fields like questions 8 and 9 (other names used) could cause major problems with the background checks. Some consulates will have additional specific instructions. For instance, the consulate in HCM does not want you to enter ANYTHING for the country and province where the passport was issued - they want the name of the city only. They also specifically want you to leave questions 8 and 9 blank if you don't have any other names to enter. They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Following instructions on a form: It's harder than it looks.

[smg1138 0]

They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Where is this warning located? My fiancee said she didn't get any instructions from the embassy. I'm looking at the online instruction page for DS-156 and don't see anything about using None or N/A.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Where is this warning located? My fiancee said she didn't get any instructions from the embassy. I'm looking at the online instruction page for DS-156 and don't see anything about using None or N/A.

The online instructions don't give much guidance. If your fiancee didn't get any instructions for the DS-156 with packet 4 then it probably doesn't make much difference whether she put's "none", "n/a", or leaves a box blank. Her consulate might be manually entering the data from the DS-156 into their computers, rather than scanning the 2D barcode. In that event, my comments don't really apply to your case.

I was pointing out that some consulates may have very specific instructions for the DS-156. The consulate in HCM dedicates an entire page of packet 4 to instructing the applicant on how to complete this form. The general guidance people give for the USCIS forms is to not leave any box on a form blank, but that guidance may not be correct for the DS-156, nor for future DoS forms which are transferred to the EVAF system. It depends on the data entry system the consulate is using to extract data from the form. Basically, I was saying that if you get specific instructions from the consulate then you should ignore any advice you get here, and follow the instructions from the consulate. The DS-156 is one example where general guidelines may not apply, and the correct way to fill out the form may be very specific to the consulate you're dealing with.

For the insatiably curious, the following are some of the specific instructions given by the consulate in HCM. These instructions are specifically for HCM, and don't apply to forms you submit to your consulate, unless you or your fiance/e receive the same instructions:

3. Section 2 should only include the city of issuance for the passport. Do not select

“Vietnam” for place of issuance, and do not include State/Province. Leave these two

fields blank.

4. Sections 8-9 are only for other names or aliases of the applicant. Do not type the words

“NONE” or “N/A” if there are no other names; simply leave this section blank.

As you can see, these instructions are contrary to the general guidance of "do not leave any box blank". In fact, item 3 is counter-intuitive. Who would think you're not supposed to indicate the country where the passport was issued? Perhaps the data entry software used by the consulate in HCM can determine what it needs to know based only on the city where the passport was issued.

[pushbrk 12,824]

They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Where is this warning located? My fiancee said she didn't get any instructions from the embassy. I'm looking at the online instruction page for DS-156 and don't see anything about using None or N/A.

As you move forward with your reading of instructions and answers to question here, be very careful to note such phrases as "For instance, the consulate in HCM". Vietnam is not Japan. Follow any instructions actually given, not phantom ones that apply to another Consulate.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Where is this warning located? My fiancee said she didn't get any instructions from the embassy. I'm looking at the online instruction page for DS-156 and don't see anything about using None or N/A.

As you move forward with your reading of instructions and answers to question here, be very careful to note such phrases as "For instance, the consulate in HCM". Vietnam is not Japan. Follow any instructions actually given, not phantom ones that apply to another Consulate.

Likewise, don't follow general guidelines given on an internet forum unless you know they specifically apply to the consulate you'll be dealing with. The DS-156 can be consulate-specific, because the data entry can be done electronically. I used the instructions for the consulate in HCM as an example because I happen to have those instructions in front of me. I think the OP misinterpreted my example (and my opening statement to follow the instructions from the consulate, if any) as literal instructions for his fiancee to follow.

I think we're making the same point here.

[pushbrk 12,824]

They specifically warn you NOT to enter "NONE" or "N/A".

Where is this warning located? My fiancee said she didn't get any instructions from the embassy. I'm looking at the online instruction page for DS-156 and don't see anything about using None or N/A.

As you move forward with your reading of instructions and answers to question here, be very careful to note such phrases as "For instance, the consulate in HCM". Vietnam is not Japan. Follow any instructions actually given, not phantom ones that apply to another Consulate.

Likewise, don't follow general guidelines given on an internet forum unless you know they specifically apply to the consulate you'll be dealing with. The DS-156 can be consulate-specific, because the data entry can be done electronically. I used the instructions for the consulate in HCM as an example because I happen to have those instructions in front of me. I think the OP misinterpreted my example (and my opening statement to follow the instructions from the consulate, if any) as literal instructions for his fiancee to follow.

I think we're making the same point here.

Yes