Package 3 has finally made it here!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Hey all!

Montreal has finally managed to get my Package 3 here this time! (they sent out the first one Nov. 7th and it never came....)

Anyways, I have some questions regarding the DS-230 part 1....

1. The instructions in my package only request the DS-230 and the DS-160.... Does that mean I don't have to do the DS-156 and DS-156k??? (eventhough they put a DS-156k in the package....)

2. For question #14, Name of Spouse, etc.... Do I put my fiance's name in there or do I just leave it blank..... Also on question #9, Marital Status, I know I pick divorced, but underneath it talks about present marriage, so should I put 1 or 2 in there???

(I know this should be obvious, but I dont want to do it wrong....)

3. For question # 25, List dates of all previous visits in the united states.... Do they want a supplemental sheet included??? And also, it won't let you put in the days you were there, only the months.... Do they just want it to know how many times you were there or for how long you were there???

If you could help me out with these, it would be greatly appreciated!!!

I really want to get this sent off as quickly as possible!!!

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Hey all!

Montreal has finally managed to get my Package 3 here this time! (they sent out the first one Nov. 7th and it never came....)

Anyways, I have some questions regarding the DS-230 part 1....

1. The instructions in my package only request the DS-230 and the DS-160.... Does that mean I don't have to do the DS-156 and DS-156k??? (eventhough they put a DS-156k in the package....)

From what I understand, the DS-156 is no longer used because of the 160 - but since the DS156K is the one you sign in FRONT of the CO at your interview, I would fill it out just in case - It goes with you, it doesn't get sent to the Consulate

2. For question #14, Name of Spouse, etc.... Do I put my fiance's name in there or do I just leave it blank..... Also on question #9, Marital Status, I know I pick divorced, but underneath it talks about present marriage, so should I put 1 or 2 in there???

(I know this should be obvious, but I dont want to do it wrong....)

If you are divorced, you put "divorced' - it is talking about your maritial status going into this marriage. and I put "none" for the 'Name of Spouse', as he is not my spouse yet

3. For question # 25, List dates of all previous visits in the united states.... Do they want a supplemental sheet included??? And also, it won't let you put in the days you were there, only the months.... Do they just want it to know how many times you were there or for how long you were there???

I filled mine out by hand, but I did include a supplimentary sheet and listed my last 10 visits. they are not looking for specific lengths of visits (on the DS 160 they will for your last 5 visits though). So when I went down for a week in april, I just wrote in "from 04/08 to 04/08"

I hope this helps!

Jen

[The_Dude 1,142]

Something else I just thought of.....

Can I fax these forms back, along with the checklist, or do I need to mail them???

[SonoranSongbird 3]

If you are going through Montreal, I think you mail them. For Vancouver you fax them. There should be instructions telling you how they want you to send them.

For the question about previous visits, what they are really looking for is any visa overstays. They are aware that many Canadians live near the border and have been to the US more times than they can remember. What we did was attach a supplement listing all of my husband's major trips to the US (two three-week road trips, a few one-week visits with friends in Texas), all the trips he took to visit me, a few weekend trips to Missouri and California where he flew and had stamps in his passport, and then said "numerous weekend trips to Montana." Other people have said "numerous visits, none over 3 weeks" or something along those lines.

[ozone_1974 1]

Hi Rob and Mel

I think you have to mail them but I am not sure if faxing them would be ok since they require you to sign the DS-230. Also the DS-160 is online and you will have to bring a copy of it (and the bar code at the end of the form) with you at the interview. Make sure you are prepared before filing out the DS-160 prior to starting and remember to save it very often (this thing keeps timing up pretty quickly and if you do not save, you will have to start the form all over again.) took me at least 5 time out before finishing the form .. lol

Also, remember to scan (in high resolution) a picture of yourself (picture must be in the norms) before starting the DS-160 as you will need to upload it at the end of the form. If you do not have a scanner, you can also take a picture of yourself against a white wall with your digital camera and then crop it with paint or any other graphic software.

For Q25 on the DS-230, I just entered my last 3 visits since there is space only for 3 entries in the form, they will ask you the same question on the DS-160 where you will be able to fill out all the visits to USA with specific dates.

Edited January 13, 2009 by ozone_1974

[bauser 0]

Can I fax these forms back, along with the checklist, or do I need to mail them???

Use Xpresspost so that you have a tracking number (i.e., you'll know when it arrives at their PO box). A little extra money for extra peace of mind.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Thanks, thats a good idea!

Question for today.... On the DS-230 part 1, can I leave parts that dont apply blank, or should I put N/A in all of them???

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks, thats a good idea!

Question for today.... On the DS-230 part 1, can I leave parts that dont apply blank, or should I put N/A in all of them???

Always n/a!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Thanks so much!

[Empath 0]

On the DS-160, for Current Employment, does anyone know if I should put Not Employed or Homemaker? Last night I began this form (thought I saved it but apparently did not) and I had put Homemaker, which then prompted me with "Have you worked in the past" and then wanted all employment details for the past five years. Today, I checked out the NOT EMPLOYED option, because I am not sure which to use. I was expecting the same "have you worked in the past" question and request for details, but was only asked for an explanation. I put "looking for work".

Thanks!

[ozone_1974 1]

On the DS-160, for Current Employment, does anyone know if I should put Not Employed or Homemaker? Last night I began this form (thought I saved it but apparently did not) and I had put Homemaker, which then prompted me with "Have you worked in the past" and then wanted all employment details for the past five years. Today, I checked out the NOT EMPLOYED option, because I am not sure which to use. I was expecting the same "have you worked in the past" question and request for details, but was only asked for an explanation. I put "looking for work".

Thanks!

for current employment, If you are currently unemployed, I would select "unemployed" and write in the explanation box that you are unemployed since (date when unemployment began).

Also, when you save the form, make sure you save it in a place you will remember (like your desktop for example). When you will start your form again, it will ask you for the file so just select it and upload it. The default provided file name will change depending at what stage of the form you are at, so one thing you can do is select the last file you saved and overwrite it with your current progress.

[Empath 0]

Thank you. I was working on the form when I posted that last message, so I ended up choosing Not Employed, but I didn't give the "since date" info. Just said I was "looking for temporary work until visa approved".

Now I have another question. Sigh. This is almost over, right???? No, wait! That's not my question... I had to fill out a DS156 for my daughter, am I to fill out a DS160 for her as well? There was an option to create a "family" application. I have filled it out and saved it, but not submitted it yet.... gonna wait for some kind of confirmation first.

[ozone_1974 1]

I am not sure as I do not have kids, but in the pack 3 they clearly state for the DS-160 "one per each applicant" so I would guess you have to fill out one for her too .. but wait until someone more knowledgeable respond back in this forum just to be on the safe side. You can still fill out the rest of your form and correct the information at the end (before submitting it) if needed.

[Carlawarla 1]

Thank you. I was working on the form when I posted that last message, so I ended up choosing Not Employed, but I didn't give the "since date" info. Just said I was "looking for temporary work until visa approved".

Now I have another question. Sigh. This is almost over, right???? No, wait! That's not my question... I had to fill out a DS156 for my daughter, am I to fill out a DS160 for her as well? There was an option to create a "family" application. I have filled it out and saved it, but not submitted it yet.... gonna wait for some kind of confirmation first.

The DS-160 is new, so a lot of you that are going for interviews soon will be the only ones that have done this. If someone doesn't come along shortly with an answer, and it's holding up you sending the papers back, I'd email the Consulate. Make sure you put your case number on the subject line so that they look at your email right away. Might take them 4-5 days to reply, but then you'd be 100% positive on your answer, if no one who's done it here already has responded. You'd think if it's says "family" application that you wouldn't have to do one individually, but who knows with government forms!

[Empath 0]

I am not sure as I do not have kids, but in the pack 3 they clearly state for the DS-160 "one per each applicant" so I would guess you have to fill out one for her too .. but wait until someone more knowledgeable respond back in this forum just to be on the safe side. You can still fill out the rest of your form and correct the information at the end (before submitting it) if needed.

That tells me exactly what I need to know.... thank you.