Online DS-156 Form Will Not Print Correctly

[Young Turp 0]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone was having trouble with the online DS-156 form. When either my fiancee or I try to fill out all the information and click continue, the resulting PDF that the browser displays only shows the answers, not the questions (except for #38 bullet 3). There is a barcode on first page that has a pattern that usually looks similar to this MBBBWWWWWI. And it does generate a barcode at the bottom of third page that is a series of square pixels with no labels, characters, or numbers beside it (the one they scan to import all the encrypted data into their system).

Is this the way the form is suppose to behave? I was thinking if I couldn't get this resolved before Thursday (3 days from now, her interview), we would just print these weird forms with the barcodes and then print two blank copies of the forms so that she can hand print her information. (Yes, I know they technically don't want hand-printed forms without a barcode). Moreover, I use Windows Vista, and tried the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, along with the most updated Adobe Acrobat. She was at an Internet Cafe using the same or slightly older software (but definitely more recent than the IE 5.0 the website talks about - http://evisaforms.state.gov/)

I'm just not sure what to do at this point. This is the only thing left we need for the interview.

Any help that you guys and gals can provide would be greatly appreciated. I should have screen shots of the web PDF attached below in a Word Document. Of course, this example doesn't have any data put into it (other than a random passport number I entered). The only difference between this form and a completely filled one is that there are 2 pages full of answers (and still no questions). But other than that, the problem listed above remains the same.

DS 156 PDF.doc

Edited May 30, 2011 by Young Turp

[inloveVEN 46]

Wow is it possible for you, to go to an internet center like a Cyber or something like that? you can save a lot of time printing that in a place that have deal and SOLVE all this issues.

I think it can help you and you wont be stressed for that issue anymore. First you have to ask if other customer have gone before with the same issue. You will be surprised when you realized that it happen a lot of time.

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone was having trouble with the online DS-156 form. When either my fiancee or I try to fill out all the information and click continue, the resulting PDF that the browser displays only shows the answers, not the questions (except for #38 bullet 3). There is a barcode on first page that has a pattern that usually looks similar to this MBBBWWWWWI. And it does generate a barcode at the bottom of third page that is a series of square pixels with no labels, characters, or numbers beside it (the one they scan to import all the encrypted data into their system).

Is this the way the form is suppose to behave? I was thinking if I couldn't get this resolved before Thursday (3 days from now, her interview), we would just print these weird forms with the barcodes and then print two blank copies of the forms so that she can hand print her information. (Yes, I know they technically don't want hand-printed forms without a barcode). Moreover, I use Windows Vista, and tried the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, along with the most updated Adobe Acrobat. She was at an Internet Cafe using the same or slightly older software (but definitely more recent than the IE 5.0 the website talks about - http://evisaforms.state.gov/)

I'm just not sure what to do at this point. This is the only thing left we need for the interview.

Any help that you guys and gals can provide would be greatly appreciated. I should have screen shots of the web PDF attached below in a Word Document. Of course, this example doesn't have any data put into it (other than a random passport number I entered). The only difference between this form and a completely filled one is that there are 2 pages full of answers (and still no questions). But other than that, the problem listed above remains the same.

There was some post here a a week or 2 ago with the same problem, they mentioned there was some different application the used to print it. Also somebody said if you can just print the blank forms out you're allowed the write the info by hand. You can try a VJ search and maybe you'll find the post.

So hopefully somebody will reply, who has actually dealt with this problem. Good Luck!

Edited May 30, 2011 by LookyWhatIFound

[Young Turp 0]

Hi inloveVEN,

Yes, she went to a cyber cafe, and experienced the same issue

LookyWhatIfound,

Thanks, I'll try searching for that information. I hope someone who has experienced this will answer

[frankielove 5]

My fiance had the same problem. He ended up printing the version with only answers. When we got to our interview they wanted him to use thier computer to fill it out, however the internet was down so the embassy personnel ended up filling it out for him to verify.

[Young Turp 0]

My fiance had the same problem. He ended up printing the version with only answers. When we got to our interview they wanted him to use thier computer to fill it out, however the internet was down so the embassy personnel ended up filling it out for him to verify.

That would be great if the Manila office allows her to do that. At this point, the printout with the answers is the only thing I can see happening. I even used my work computer with IE 7 and Adobe 8 to see if the form would be created properly after clicking "continue," and no, it wasn't.

[Young Turp 0]

Add Safari and IE7 (two versions back) and Adobe 8 to the list of broswers/pdf viewers that still didn't work.

[Tyeger87 10]

it didnt work for me either

this takes a few extra minutes but it will work

download the DS-156 and upload it into www.fillanypdf.com

this website allows u to create textboxes on the pdf which when printed looked like it was typed directly on the pdf

good luck

[Young Turp 0]

it didnt work for me either

this takes a few extra minutes but it will work

download the DS-156 and upload it into www.fillanypdf.com

this website allows u to create textboxes on the pdf which when printed looked like it was typed directly on the pdf

good luck

Tyeger87,

Do you mean, fill out the form and click "continue" and then take that pdf and load it to the site you mentioned?

I don't have a problem filling out the data. That works fine. It's just that after hitting continue, only the answers are displayed on the next screen, with no questions or form formatting (like lines and boxes).

[Tyeger87 10]

Tyeger87,

Do you mean, fill out the form and click "continue" and then take that pdf and load it to the site you mentioned?

I don't have a problem filling out the data. That works fine. It's just that after hitting continue, only the answers are displayed on the next screen, with no questions or form formatting (like lines and boxes).

yeah i had the same problem i could type in the form but it would not print correctly

i mean download a blank DS-156 and upload it to the website fill it in on the website and make sure you hit save before you download the filled in version

it will have everything there

[Moomin 292]

It can be Adobe in a nutshell. Have you tried using foxit reader or other pdf friendly programs?

[sjr09 155]

What you need:

• Your Internet browser must support 128-bit encryption.
• If you are using Internet Explorer (Windows), the minimum version that will work with this site is version 5.0, with service pack 2.
• If you are using Netscape, the minimum version that will work with this site is version 6.2.
• You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher, you may download a copy from Adobe's web site.
• You should use either an ink-jet or laser printer to print the completed application form.

[Young Turp 0]

yeah i had the same problem i could type in the form but it would not print correctly

i mean download a blank DS-156 and upload it to the website fill it in on the website and make sure you hit save before you download the filled in version

it will have everything there

I'm not sure I follow how exactly this will help. It won't have the barcode, and the form itself says it's ok to print in the text boxes.

It can be Adobe in a nutshell. Have you tried using foxit reader or other pdf friendly programs?

I have Adobe, and I installed Foxit, but I'm not sure it's doing anything for me.

[Young Turp 0]

What you need:

• Your Internet browser must support 128-bit encryption.
• If you are using Internet Explorer (Windows), the minimum version that will work with this site is version 5.0, with service pack 2.
• If you are using Netscape, the minimum version that will work with this site is version 6.2.
• You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher, you may download a copy from Adobe's web site.
• You should use either an ink-jet or laser printer to print the completed application form.

I have all of these things. I'm not sure why it's not working.

[Tyeger87 10]

I have all of these things. I'm not sure why it's not working.

if its not working you may need to use a different computer - go to an internet cafe or use a friends computer