ds-156 questions & paying fee at Helm Bank

[timberzyx 0]

Hello agai,

Thank you all for the answers I've received here regarding my K-1 fiancee (I'm petitioner) application. We are getting ready for the visit to Helm Bank to pay the fee, and the interview on August 25. My fiancee will visit the Barranquilla Helm Bank.

I have questions about best answers to DS-156 questions. From what I've read here, we should answer #1 (Passport Number) using the number on the passport pages with the little hole.

#6.(Surnames-As in passport): we plan to do just that--enter both her father's surname and her mother's maiden surname. But this addition on mother's surname was not what we enter on G-325A and DS-230 Part I, or I-129F. I hope this isn't interpreted as a conflict of answers between the different forms.

#8. (Other Surnames Used): we entered None. I don't see a problem since #6. covers the "extra surname from mother.

#21. (Present Occupation): we entered "unemployed" because that is truth and conform the dates of last job in DS-230 Part I.

#22. (When Do You Intend To Arrive In The US?): we plan to enter: "within one week of visa issuance". Does that sound good?

26. We entered "permanently"

31. (Have You Ever Been Refused a US Visa?) answered "yes". Fiancee was denied F-2 B visa at interview in BOG last year. Story: her father and mother were in US as legal permanent residents, they petitioned to get their adult unmarried children visa to join them. After about 7-8 years their kids names came up and forms filed for interview. Problem: father was original petitioner and he exited US to obtain heart operation in Colombia and has never returned to US. He did not file for extended absence from US and did not file for special consideration of medical need to be outside US and be allowed back in. So my fiancee was denied her F-2B visa because the petitioner (father) was not in US and would not be allowed back in. Not because of anything bad about her personal profile. This was a tragic of an old obstinate guy ignoring the rules (if he cared to pay attention) mixed with ignorance of the complications. Now the wife (fiancees' mom) remains legally in Miami. For her to begin the F-2 process all over again is out of the question. My K-1 petition is fairly independent of that F-2 (it popped up into play after I met fiancee).

My question for #31--what should we enter next to "What TYPE of Visa?"-- I thought: "F-2 B" or should I add "resdient" also?

#37. Has Only one line for "Father/Mother". Should we try to enter info for BOTH, or just mother?

31 + 37 require explanation at interview, I anticipate. I told my fiancee to just hand them the denial she was given at her F-2B interview and explain the reason her father could not return to US and so she could not get a F-2 visa to "JOIN" him. Any criticism, comments, suggestion to improved this strategy??? I don't think they want an attached explanation of the F-2B reasons, do they (wait for interviewer to ask)?

#39. (Prepared by another...): we are answering "no". I helped, but I do not think that is what they mean by prepared. Sound right?

I read elsewhere here that beneficiary bring DS-156s to Helm Bank should also bring letter from embassy giving appointment date. We still haven't received that. I only know from my call to DOS people in USA who looked it up on the system. So is it OK to go pay at Helm Bank without such notice of appointment date? Will DS-156 be accepted?

The "Guide" here mebtions 6 photos of beneficiary for this final stage of process. I guess that to mean 2 for each of 2 DS-156 s (photo affixed to each) brought to pay fee at Helm Bank. One for visit to medical lab in BOG. One for visit to doctor in BOG. and 2 to bring to interview. Does this sound sufficient?

A LOT of questions, I know.

That you for any input you can offer!

Gary