Filling out DS-156 - Have you ever been issued a visa

[misa 2]

I'm having a look at the DS-156 and a little confused by the visa issuance part.

Question #30 - Have you ever been issued a visa?

Do we Canadians put down "Yes" and select "B2"? If so, for "Where?" do we put down something like "YYZ" for the airport or the exact border location if we drove in at?

Technically we are admitted with a B2 during visits (for pleasure, not business) but I'm just not sure what we put down for that...

Edited February 4, 2007 by misa

[ceriserose 1]

I said no, as I'd never been issued a visa, it was tacit. Generally they want a visa # and we don't get one. The consulate should be fine with it (the DS-156 is used for many types of visas so the questions are fairly generic).

The harder question for me was describing my trips cross-border (living 20 minutes from it, I was in the US several times a year for a few hours). I ended up listing my larger trips (more than 2 days) and noted numerous day trips and quick hops.

No one had any problems with my form or the answers on it.

[misa 2]

Oh, thanks for the info!

It sort of threw me off since we're technically not issued one. I guess it would apply if we had ever officially been issued something like a TN visa or something.

[Jersey Girl 2]

Don't overthink this one. If you've never been issued a visa, say "no." Cross border shopping trips by Canucks don't count.

[mozplay 29]

Agreed - I put 'no' too.

Mo

[Autumnchik 6]

I agree Unless you have actually been issued a visa and have that stamp in your passport, don't put it down. For us, my fiance was issued 2 B-2 visas when he came to visit (given the visa and a date he had to leave the country by).

[misa 2]

Thanks everyone!

I have 3 B2 stamps in my passport but no date I had to leave the U.S. by. Just the date stamp of when I entered and B2 scribbled on it. Because I have those do I put that down?

Ugh, all of this just drives me insane...

[Buttons 0]

I put NO

[Autumnchik 6]

Okay Misa, I just pulled our DS-156. We put Yes that he had been issued a visa. We put the dates, the place and that it was a B2 visa. I don't know if that was right or wrong, but we got the K-1 and they didn't question it at all

[Reba 2]

If they have stamped your passport with a tourist visa stamp, then you put Yes, I believe. Most Canadians do not get a visa of any type when they visit the US, however some do, if the CBP officer feels you could be a risk for staying illegally (like when you say you're going to visit your S/O).

[misa 2]

Ah, okay. I will put down yes and list only the times I got the stamp. Seems to depend on the CBP officer at the time. I notice while lined up at YYZ that some stamp everyone and some stamp no one.

Thanks again everyone!

Edited February 4, 2007 by misa