Chinese Characters Required on DS-156 But Don't Work

[dstone 0]

We carefully followed Packet 4 instructions, putting both English and Chinese answers on specified fields of the on-line DS-156 form. But when clicking "Continue" (to get the printable DS-156 with barcode), we get an "invalid entry" error that only English is accepted.

What do we do? Is it acceptable to print the form with English-only answers and then add the required Chinese translation by hand? Thanks.

[garfield529 47]

Where are you getting this form? From the Guangzhou site? We printed the blank form and Yi handwrote everything. These forms are convenient if you can type them on the computer, but all the embassy wants is the information..whether handwritten or typed. Just make sure your fiancee writes clearly.

We carefully followed Packet 4 instructions, putting both English and Chinese answers on specified fields of the on-line DS-156 form. But when clicking "Continue" (to get the printable DS-156 with barcode), we get an "invalid entry" error that only English is accepted.

What do we do? Is it acceptable to print the form with English-only answers and then add the required Chinese translation by hand? Thanks.

[pushbrk 12,898]

We carefully followed Packet 4 instructions, putting both English and Chinese answers on specified fields of the on-line DS-156 form. But when clicking "Continue" (to get the printable DS-156 with barcode), we get an "invalid entry" error that only English is accepted.

What do we do? Is it acceptable to print the form with English-only answers and then add the required Chinese translation by hand? Thanks.

Of course.

[Darnell 8,478]

the 'online DS-156 form' is a label/tag, for an adobe acrobat PDF form.

Instead of trying to handle it 'online' -

save it to disk, blank, first, instead.

Print One Copy as Blank, fill it out in Chinese, by hand.

Fill out one set on the computer in English, print it, put any extra chinese characters in there.

It's still confusing as to WHETHER or not they want one in English, One in Chinese, or two sets (one in English and One in Chinese) - so I suggest you make 2 sets - one in English, one in Chinese - and bring both in on Interview day.

Also bring some blank copies of that form, for interview day, as well.

Good Luck !

[dstone 0]

The form we're using is https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

Flexibility sounds like the right approach. Thanks.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

The form we're using is https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

Flexibility sounds like the right approach. Thanks.

Don't use that form. Guangzhou still provides the form in PDF format here:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/K12%20p4/DS156%20Eng.pdf

The eVisa form is designed to be filled out entirely online, and entirely with English/Latin characters. You can't fill it out partly online and partly "by hand" because the barcode it generates won't match the contents of the form. If Guangzhou wants the form filled out in English and Chinese, then use the PDF version of the form that they provide.

[Darnell 8,478]

Oh - dstone - suggest you get that pdf file from the GUZ 'forms' website at

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/forms_and_packets.htm

under the Packet 4 section for K-1/K-2

Jim has given you the link for the download for the right form.

Good Luck !

[Billz 0]

Hi Guys,

I have a related question but not really about the online form. My fiancee got the p4 packet and the instruction

about the form DS-156 says to include telegraph code for her chinese name. What's that about?

Does she actually have to go to the post office to look this up? Anybody know what this is used for ?

Just wondering.

Thanks.

[Darnell 8,478]

It might be an old document set - check the expiration date on the form.

Also check out the link I gave for the GUZ IV packets and forms - those are the current ones - I'm thinking you've got old stuff.

Let me know if the newer forms still have the telegraphic code - they're NOT SUPPOSED TO have that, any more. Here's some info on telegraphic codes - http://www.chinafamilyvisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69&view=findpost&p=26117

and yes, the China Post Office maintains 'the book' of all telegraphic codes, since most China Post Offices handle telegraph communications.

Good Luck !

Edited April 16, 2010 by Darnell

[Billz 0]

Wow that was fast. Yep the new packet instruction still has the requirement for telegraph codes.

Weird, I sure hope they don't still use telegraph.

Anyway, there's a tool here you can find the codes: http://www.njstar.com/tools/telecode/

Thanks!

It might be an old document set - check the expiration date on the form.

Also check out the link I gave for the GUZ IV packets and forms - those are the current ones - I'm thinking you've got old stuff.

Let me know if the newer forms still have the telegraphic code - they're NOT SUPPOSED TO have that, any more. Here's some info on telegraphic codes - http://www.chinafamilyvisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69&view=findpost&p=26117

and yes, the China Post Office maintains 'the book' of all telegraphic codes, since most China Post Offices handle telegraph communications.

Good Luck !

[shaoshao 1]

the form we printed out has no barcode, is that going to be ok without it??the expiration date is 6/2014

[TBoneTX 45,324]

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