DS 260 replacing the DS 230

[cahrie99 12]

Hi Everyone,

I apologize if this posted in the wrong forum but I was not sure where it should go (still new and learning!). My fiance recently contacted a representative of USTravelDocs regarding the DS260/230 and I have posted the chat below. We are hoping this will be useful to others. I believe the DS260 replacing the DS230 is not embassy/country specific but is true for all completing the K1 visa process. I also think this may be the case anytime the DS230 needs to be completed but I can not confirm this for other processes. Perhaps someone else with experience can post if this is the case. Also, as was advised in the chat below, I called the NVC to obtain the Invoice ID number and not only was this a very simple call (although be prepared to wait on hold for a rep.) but the woman I spoke with also provided the Beneficiary ID number. She explained that both numbers, along with the case number, are needed to complete the DS 260. Neither the Invoice number or the Beneficiary number were listed on the letter we received from the NVC and the lady that helped me provided this information very quickly, as if she has gotten many calls regarding this same thing.

Thanks and Best of Luck!

Carrie

Your Question: Do we need DS-260 for k1 visa interview?
Staff: Kontham Kiran

23:45 You are now chatting with Kontham Kiran - Visa Information Chat - India - English
23:46 Kontham Kiran: Thank you for contacting the U. S Visa Service Desk. How may I assist you today?
23:53 A Y: I read somewhere that I need to fill now DS-260 form
23:54 Kontham Kiran: Yes you have to fill Ds-260 online please go through the link for the same https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/
23:55 A Y: So i fill it and take the print out with me for the interview purpose?
23:55 Kontham Kiran: Is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
23:56 Kontham Kiran: Yes, once you fill it and submit the same take a printed copy of the Confirmation Page of Ds-260 application form
23:56 A Y: Thanks
23:57 Kontham Kiran: Is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
23:57 A Y: I am not sure that what is the invoice number in the DS-260?
23:57 A Y: Can you please let me know?
23:57 Kontham Kiran: Please stay online for 2 minutes while I look for the information. Thank you.
23:57 A Y: Thank you
00:01 Kontham Kiran: Thank you for staying on Hold. I appreciate your patience.
00:02 A Y: No problem
00:02 Kontham Kiran: Please contact the NVC at NVCInquiry@state.gov to obtain your NVC invoice number. If you case was not processed at NVC, you may use your birth date in the following format (YYYYMMDD) as a substitute NVC number. Using the incorrect NVC number may cause delays in the processing of your case.
00:02 Kontham Kiran: Please go through the link for the same http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/faqiv260.html
00:03 A Y: so eventually we have to contact NVC to get the invoice number
00:03 Kontham Kiran: Well in case if you dont have the invoice number please contact the NVC at NVCInquiry@state.gov to obtain your NVC invoice number
00:04 A Y: Can you please give me the link where it says that Mumbai Consulate requires DS-260 to be filled?
00:04 A Y: or is it not updated yet
00:04 A Y: because i tried to search it and couldn't find it
00:06 Kontham Kiran: Well as per the new procedure the applicant has to fill Ds-260 however on the Mumbai consulate website its yet to be update
00:06 A Y: Oh i see
00:07 Kontham Kiran: you have to fill Ds-260 online please go through the link for the same https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/
00:07 A Y: Sorry, i just want to be sure that i am not doing anything wrong
00:07 A Y: I will do that
00:07 A Y: Another question
00:07 A Y: Do i need to fill DS-2001 as well for my k1 visa interview
00:07 Kontham Kiran: Well as we discussed the applicants has to fill Ds-260
00:08 Kontham Kiran: DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application)
K-1 Application (Form DS-156K) (Nonimmigrant Fiancé[e] Visa Application)
And Ds-260
00:08 Kontham Kiran: These are the forms you have to fill for K1 Visa
00:09 A Y: and I don't need DS-230?
00:09 A Y: I thought that was required as well
00:09 Kontham Kiran: As per the new procedure you have to fill Ds-260 not Ds-230
00:10 A Y: so DS-230 is getting replaced by DS-260
00:10 A Y: is that a correct statement?
00:10 Kontham Kiran: Yes you are correct
00:10 Kontham Kiran: Yes
00:10 Kontham Kiran: Is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
00:10 A Y: Thank you so much
00:10 A Y: No, Thank you
00:10 Kontham Kiran: We suggest our applicants should arrive at the Consulate fifteen minutes before your appointment. Please read about security restrictions (http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-securityinfo.asp) at the Consulate that describe what you can and cannot bring with you to your interview.

If the applicant wants their passport to be delivered to their Home address, they have to contact at the Embassy after the interview process is completed by paying additional charges

[cahrie99 12]

Oh my.....I'm so sorry, it looks like this posted two or three times. I don't know what happened, I got a server error and I don't know how to delete a post once it's made!

[Nurseling 34]

Oh my.....I'm so sorry, it looks like this posted two or three times. I don't know what happened, I got a server error and I don't know how to delete a post once it's made!

I would double check this info if I were you. Yes according the the department of state website DS-260 is going to replace DS-230 however it seems this has not quiet come into affect. I got packet 3 in the mail just the 6th of September and they were still asking all k1 applicants to fill out DS-230. The call Center are giving the wrong information out as this doesn't yet apply to K1 applicants. I believe they aren't clued up about it yet. I already sent the forms they requested and called department of health to double check they were right forms and they said yes. I would also play it safe and call department of health if your unsure just to double check. The process has taken long enough as it is you really don't need any more delays.

[Nurseling 34]

If it is country specific. The best person to tell you is Department of health. As you know we don't get a invoice number on our letter. Either dos will provide that if the changes do finally come into affect. I called the call centre on London embassy and that was the incorrect information they were giving me too till I called dos. Plus the packet 3 letter still says DS-230.

[cahrie99 12]

I would double check this info if I were you. Yes according the the department of state website DS-260 is going to replace DS-230 however it seems this has not quiet come into affect. I got packet 3 in the mail just the 6th of September and they were still asking all k1 applicants to fill out DS-230. The call Center are giving the wrong information out as this doesn't yet apply to K1 applicants. I believe they aren't clued up about it yet. I already sent the forms they requested and called department of health to double check they were right forms and they said yes. I would also play it safe and call department of health if your unsure just to double check. The process has taken long enough as it is you really don't need any more delays.

We had already decided that, just to be on the safe side, my fiance is going to complete all the forms, old and new. This conversation with the TravelDocs representative just occurred yesterday so I would hope they would know what they were talking about since it's their job, but I've seen a lot of confusion from a number of folks regarding this same subject. And I thought we were finally making some kind of headway and being on the ball! UGH! My fiance was never sent Packet 3 and just got notified of his interview on Sept. 6 with an interview date of Sept. 23 (only two weeks notice!). We certainly do not want any more delays, that's for sure. And not to sound dumb, but this is the first I've heard anyone mention calling the Dept. of Health, what part do they play in this process?

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Multiple duplicate threads removed~

[kinu554 0]

We had already decided that, just to be on the safe side, my fiance is going to complete all the forms, old and new. This conversation with the TravelDocs representative just occurred yesterday so I would hope they would know what they were talking about since it's their job, but I've seen a lot of confusion from a number of folks regarding this same subject. And I thought we were finally making some kind of headway and being on the ball! UGH! My fiance was never sent Packet 3 and just got notified of his interview on Sept. 6 with an interview date of Sept. 23 (only two weeks notice!). We certainly do not want any more delays, that's for sure. And not to sound dumb, but this is the first I've heard anyone mention calling the Dept. of Health, what part do they play in this process?

HI , even I am from India . I recieved the same answer as you . We have to fill DS-260 and all the forms which were mentioned by you . As you said that to be on safe side as you are going to fill both old and new forms , even we are doing the same. My interview is after you . Can you provide me with your e-mail address please if possible so that i can ask you for interview questions and all the forms they asked you in embassy if you dont mind.

(personal email address has been edited out. Please do not post personal email addresses on this very public forum. Use the more secure Visa Journey PM- personal messenger- function instead if you wish to share personal information - VJ Moderation)

Regards,.

Kinnu.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Kathryn41
to remove personal email address from quote for security reasons

[Nurseling 34]

We had already decided that, just to be on the safe side, my fiance is going to complete all the forms, old and new. This conversation with the TravelDocs representative just occurred yesterday so I would hope they would know what they were talking about since it's their job, but I've seen a lot of confusion from a number of folks regarding this same subject. And I thought we were finally making some kind of headway and being on the ball! UGH! My fiance was never sent Packet 3 and just got notified of his interview on Sept. 6 with an interview date of Sept. 23 (only two weeks notice!). We certainly do not want any more delays, that's for sure. And not to sound dumb, but this is the first I've heard anyone mention calling the Dept. of Health, what part do they play in this process?

dos are the people who oversee NVC so they play a major part. They have the authority and access to NVC system to check if case number is issued or not. Rather than going through NVC I went direct to the horse. That's where I got my case number.

Regard the ds260 I just got off the phone from dos and was again told if the instructions on packet 3 did not state you need to fill out DS 260 it is not needed. This is something that slowly taking over however some people who have passed a certain phase of the application that were not instructed to do so do not need to fill it out. So if your instructed to fill it out then do so. It can't harm to do it.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Its somewhat country specific and visa type specific regarding the DS-260

[cahrie99 12]

~Multiple duplicate threads removed~

Thank you very much!

[cahrie99 12]

HI , even I am from India . I recieved the same answer as you . We have to fill DS-260 and all the forms which were mentioned by you . As you said that to be on safe side as you are going to fill both old and new forms , even we are doing the same. My interview is after you . Can you provide me with your e-mail address please if possible so that i can ask you for interview questions and all the forms they asked you in embassy if you dont mind.

(personal email address has been edited out. Please do not post personal email addresses on this very public forum. Use the more secure Visa Journey PM- personal messenger- function instead if you wish to share personal information - VJ Moderation)

Regards,.

Kinnu.

When is your interview?

dos are the people who oversee NVC so they play a major part. They have the authority and access to NVC system to check if case number is issued or not. Rather than going through NVC I went direct to the horse. That's where I got my case number.

Regard the ds260 I just got off the phone from dos and was again told if the instructions on packet 3 did not state you need to fill out DS 260 it is not needed. This is something that slowly taking over however some people who have passed a certain phase of the application that were not instructed to do so do not need to fill it out. So if your instructed to fill it out then do so. It can't harm to do it.

Thanks for the information It makes a lot of sense what they told you. I just wish that when changes are being made, there were clear timelines, rules, etc. and that all employees were provided the most up-to-date information in a timely manner! Oh well Like I said though, we are going to do both sets of forms and whatever the interviewer asks for they will get. We just don't want to take any chances.

Its somewhat country specific and visa type specific regarding the DS-260

Thank you Definitely don't seem to be many universal rules, are there?

Edited September 13, 2013 by Kathryn41
to remove quoted personal email address

[Nurseling 34]

When is your interview?

Thanks for the information It makes a lot of sense what they told you. I just wish that when changes are being made, there were clear timelines, rules, etc. and that all employees were provided the most up-to-date information in a timely manner! Oh well Like I said though, we are going to do both sets of forms and whatever the interviewer asks for they will get. We just don't want to take any chances.

Thank you Definitely don't seem to be many universal rules, are there?

I know what you mean. It's been like a hit and miss this whole process. The sad part is not all the government agencies provide accurate information. Sometimes you talk to some and it's like they aren't even clued up about their own procedures. God help us all lol.

[cahrie99 12]

I know what you mean. It's been like a hit and miss this whole process. The sad part is not all the government agencies provide accurate information. Sometimes you talk to some and it's like they aren't even clued up about their own procedures. God help us all lol.

You've got that right! Mind boggling! I think of how naive I used to be regarding this whole process and then I started to read and research and jumped in with both feet. He and I both have friends and relatives asking all the time why we aren't already together and have even had some tell us that they don't understand why we are making out to be so hard! It's all I can do to hold my tongue at these times. I don't mind all the hoops (as much), whatever it takes it's worth it, but the lack of consistency and waiting drives me absolutely bonkers! I keep saying it's God's way of teaching me patience!!

[Nurseling 34]

You've got that right! Mind boggling! I think of how naive I used to be regarding this whole process and then I started to read and research and jumped in with both feet. He and I both have friends and relatives asking all the time why we aren't already together and have even had some tell us that they don't understand why we are making out to be so hard! It's all I can do to hold my tongue at these times. I don't mind all the hoops (as much), whatever it takes it's worth it, but the lack of consistency and waiting drives me absolutely bonkers! I keep saying it's God's way of teaching me patience!!

Lol. It's amazing the hoops we do have to jump through. It's even more amazing when we read about couples that have been waiting for a year without a approval. This whole process either makes a relationship stronger or breaks a relationship. It's not for the faint hearted. Thank god we are in the last leg of the race, well till AOS anyway. We shall all get there our strength comes from The Lord. :)

[cahrie99 12]

Just need to get through the interview. I can't decide if I'm more excited or nervous at this point. When the September list came out and we weren't on it and we never got Packet 3 we were disappointed but took it as a good sign to get all of our stuff together. Then out of no where...wham! LOL...talk about a mad scramble! Good thing we were already working diligently on getting our stuff together so it seems to be working out well. Even the doctor's office was very accommodating and squeezed him between appointments today so that there would be enough time to get the paperwork done before the interview.

From seeing your timeline it looks like you are moving through the process at a good pace and it's going through all the expected steps! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your interview comes quickly