DS 260 replacing the DS 230

[TBoneTX 45,291]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves that phase. ***

[Nurseling 34]

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

Yes I have just been doing the steps even before they ask me lol. Keen to get out there for my wedding. Fingers crossed for you too, not long now we are both almost there.

[StarTwin 0]

Hi everyone! Wish everything wasn't so confusing. I found recent info on the state dept website that said the DS-160 was now replacing the DS-156, DS-156K and DS-230 (see http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4230.html). Except for those whose cases had already been submitted prior to 7 October 2013, the rest of us have to fill out DS-160 which is an online procedure. Fine. Did that and printed out the confirmation page as required for the interview.

In my Packet 3 I was asked to fill out the DS-261. So this was the next form to tackle. This turned out to be another online form and you had to have your case number and Invoice ID to log in. Upon successfully logging in, there was a notice saying that I had not yet completed the DS-260, which was not a form listed anywhere in the documentation I had been sent. Of course. However, the DS-260 is an immigrant visa form, unlike the DS-160 which is a non-immigrant visa form. They are both very similar, asking for very similar information. I hesitated and decided to dig a little deeper. I found this communique on the state dept website which is meant for all embassies/consulates (posts) to observe: http://travel.state.gov/pdf/Using_ds_160_for_K_Visa_Applications_October_2013.pdf. Read the last sentence of that document before the signature. It is pretty clear that the embassies are not supposed to "....under any circumstances, accept DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application forms for K visa applications." So I am not sure why some of us K1 applicants are still receiving instructions to fill out the DS-260. I'm not even sure about DS-261, which is once again an immigrant visa form. I don't think this is meant for K1 applicants.

And because instructions are so unclear on generally everything, applicants are filling out the DS-160 as well as the DS-156, DS-156K and DS-230, just to be safe, even though the former is meant to replace the latter three. These forms are not hard to fill but they do take time and effort and, most of all, you don't want to be filling out forms you aren't supposed to. Oh well, good luck to all of us!