DS-260?

[JF_CIC 0]

I added a few more differences below.

DS-260 differences from the DS-230:

Here's what I've found based on starting to fill out the form and looking through the screenshots of the form (don't worry the form isn't 72 pages long, they just show you all the different questions that might be asked depending on if you have kids/no kids, former spouse/no former spouse, etc). Anyone notice any other differences?

• Asks for passport info, including passport number
  
• Only asks for previous 5 visits to the US
  
• Asks for more info on previous jobs (supervisor's name/title/phone number)
  
• Asks questions about if you've ever been part of or contributed to a professional, social, or charitable organization, and do you have "specialized skills" like how to make bombs
  
• The questions about illegal groups and activities are way more detailed than before
  

• You need all of the benficiary's addresses with street number and zip/postal code since they were 16. Not just the city and country like on the DS-230.
  
• You need middle names for the beneficiary's parents
  
• You only need to give the beneficiary's current employer, but you do need full address with zip/postal code. Also, when I filled out the form I didn't see the questions about supervisors I saw in the screenshots.
  
• If the beneficiary isn't in school, it doesn't ask you about educational institutions
  

[JF_CIC 0]

Thanks for everything. There definitely do appear to be a few differences between the DS-230 and the DS-260. You mentioned it wasn't really 72 pages long, it's just showing possible questions depending how you answer. When you filled it out, do you remember how many pages it was for you? I'd like to just get a rough estimate. And how long did it take to fill out?

It was like 20 or so pages, but some were pretty quick, others took a while. I'd already filled out a DS-230 on paper, so it took me an hour to find the additional information I needed for the DS-260 and fill it out.

[Saylin 1,605]

It was like 20 or so pages, but some were pretty quick, others took a while. I'd already filled out a DS-230 on paper, so it took me an hour to find the additional information I needed for the DS-260 and fill it out.

Thanks again with the additional info. I already have the DS-230 filled out, so it shouldn't be that hard or long to fill out the DS-260.

[GoGoGonza 0]

I added a few more differences below.

• You need all of the benficiary's addresses with street number and zip/postal code since they were 16. Not just the city and country like on the DS-230.
  
• You need middle names for the beneficiary's parents
  
• You only need to give the beneficiary's current employer, but you do need full address with zip/postal code. Also, when I filled out the form I didn't see the questions about supervisors I saw in the screenshots.
  
• If the beneficiary isn't in school, it doesn't ask you about educational institutions
  

Do you remeber how long S260 took to porcess after you submitted it?

[JF_CIC 0]

Do you remeber how long S260 took to porcess after you submitted it?

I haven't submitted it yet. Still need to get my wife to check it over and then actually "sign" it. We'll probably do that right after Christmas.

[Darnell 8,478]

I'm a thinking is no 'postal process' for the DS-260.

At this stage, though - still just 'a thinking'.

[Heather&Matt 0]

Update about DS-260: we did not do Electronic Processing and we filled out the DS-230. They sent us a RFE (checklist) to fill out the DS-230, so it delayed our NVC process.

According to another VJer, they did EP and scanned the DS-230 as required as they weren't told anything different by NVC. After some time, they received a checklist to fill out the DS-260.

So I guess there is mixed messages about this form. My suggestion is that you contact NVC to make sure what form you should be filling out, making sure you specify if you are doing EP or not.

After filling out both forms...the DS-260 was much easier to complete even though there are a ton of security questions.

For the DS-230, I had to try and compile a list of visits to the USA. As my husband and I live 30 min from each other, it is near impossible to list EVERY visit to the US...considering I cross about 2-3 times a week to see him and have done so for 5 years (not to mention all the other trips to the US before we started our relationship).

There were no issues with the list I made of 6 months of visits, and included our situation and how it was impossible for me to list EVERY visit. The DS-260 was much easier with only listing the last 5 visits made.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Heather&Matt

[Saylin 1,605]

Update about DS-260: we did not do Electronic Processing and we filled out the DS-230. They sent us a RFE (checklist) to fill out the DS-230, so it delayed our NVC process.

According to another VJer, they did EP and scanned the DS-230 as required as they weren't told anything different by NVC. After some time, they received a checklist to fill out the DS-260.

So I guess there is mixed messages about this form. My suggestion is that you contact NVC to make sure what form you should be filling out, making sure you specify if you are doing EP or not.

After filling out both forms...the DS-260 was much easier to complete even though there are a ton of security questions.

For the DS-230, I had to try and compile a list of visits to the USA. As my husband and I live 30 min from each other, it is near impossible to list EVERY visit to the US...considering I cross about 2-3 times a week to see him and have done so for 5 years (not to mention all the other trips to the US before we started our relationship).

There were no issues with the list I made of 6 months of visits, and included our situation and how it was impossible for me to list EVERY visit. The DS-260 was much easier with only listing the last 5 visits made.

You mean you filled out the DS-260 originally, right? Not the DS-230...

[Heather&Matt 0]

You mean you filled out the DS-260 originally, right? Not the DS-230...

Correct., I didnt notice my mistake. We sent in the DS-260 and we got a checklist saying to fill out the DS-230.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Heather&Matt

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Yes as all know we did EP.

We filled out ds230 sent it in and completed all paper work. They later sent us a checklist to fill out the DS260. We were told by a supervisor the DS260 is mandatory now for all applications going to Montreal Embassy. No matter what kind of processing you do with NVC you will have to fill out the DS260 before your actual case is sent to the Montreal office.

So the final say is, the DS260 is mandatory for anyone doing a CR1 type visa going to Montreal Embassy.

[Saylin 1,605]

Yes as all know we did EP.

We filled out ds230 sent it in and completed all paper work. They later sent us a checklist to fill out the DS260. We were told by a supervisor the DS260 is mandatory now for all applications going to Montreal Embassy. No matter what kind of processing you do with NVC you will have to fill out the DS260 before your actual case is sent to the Montreal office.

So the final say is, the DS260 is mandatory for anyone doing a CR1 type visa going to Montreal Embassy.

But that's weird since Heather&Matt filled out the DS-260 originally, but were then told to fill out the DS-230. And there's another VJ user I know of, phel, that just got a case complete by doing the DS-230.

[Darnell 8,478]

OK - further postal routings

1. IR-1/2/5-CR-1/2 to Montreal? DS-260 is mandatory

2. Still must do I-864 and DS-230 - so IF (you Canadiens) enroll in NVC Electronic Processing, can get the I-864 and DS-230 to NVC electronically (via email) - otherwise - can still go postal route for the I-864 and DS-230. Still must pay at NVC, still can utilise the Online Payment Portal and generate Coversheets from the Portal.

Whew !

Meanwhile - back with CanadienRedKneck - hey ! What's Going On with yer attorney?

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Again to further Clarify. The DS260 is separate from the DS230 do not consider them one in the same. The DS260 is a necessary electronic document they are using to speedball the process of getting the documents to the Montreal Embassy. The DS260 is than electronically forwarded to the embassy ahead of all the paper work that is snail mailed. This way they are able to dish out Interview dates at a faster space and clear up some of this backlog. Regardless of what type of Visa you are doing when going through the Montreal Embassy you will have to fill out the DS260 form it is now mandatory. DS230 is a separate form and should not be considered in tandem with the DS260. Once you distinguish them as separate it is easy to understand.

[Heather&Matt 0]

But that's weird since Heather&Matt filled out the DS-260 originally, but were then told to fill out the DS-230. And there's another VJ user I know of, phel, that just got a case complete by doing the DS-230.

I'm thinking that we may have been on the cusp of the switchover...considering we had the opposite situation to MattyDil. If they have changed it since to make all Montreal'ers to fill out the DS-260, makes me a little angry...since set us back a month in our NVC process.

[JF_CIC 0]

Just filling in some details from my case here because it might help with the confusion.

I sent in my I-864EZ by snail mail right around the middle of December. I completed the DS-260 online just after Christmas (December 27 or December 28, not sure) and then sent the civil documents by snail mail right before the new year. They arrived at the NVC on January 3.

On January 4, I got an email with a checklist cover letter saying basically "We got your I-864EZ, but we still need a DS-230 from you before you can process the case."

I just called the NVC to get some clarification. The agent I talked to kept on confusing electronic processing with the DS-260. After trying to explain a few things that electronic processing isn't the DS-260 (he kept on quoting the EP announcement from July 2009 and wouldn't listen when I explained the DS-260 didn't even exist then), I finally asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor told me "That email was sent by mistake. Because you're going through Montreal, we need a DS-260". I said, "Ok, just to be clear, since I've mailed in my I-864, filled out the DS-260 online, and mailed in the birth certificate and everything, you have everything needed to process my case. I don't need to send in a DS-230. At this point the only thing I need to do is wait for you to get to my case." The supervisor said "Yes, that's correct. You've sent in everything that's required".

So, I'm guessing their systems don't know enough yet to not send out DS-230 checklists to Montreal applicants. If you're going through Montreal and get something about sending in a DS-230, you can probably ignore it. If you're unsure, call the NVC, but make sure that the agent understands the difference between the old electronic processing and the new DS-260. If the agent doesn't, talk to a supervisor.