Previous visits to the US - regarding DS 260

[Kuegs 5]

Hi everyone:

I'm new to the forum, though I lurked around a bit and already found some helpful info.

But I can't seem to find anything on a question I gave regarding the DS 260 form.

I'm getting a little ahead of myself here because we only just started our DCF process and are still waiting for our I 130 petition to get approved.

In an effort to prepare myself, I already checked out the next form we will have to fill out, though (provided everything gets approved of course)

On to my question:

In the DS 260, they ask about all previous visits to the USA.

I've been there multiple times, earliest visit in 1997, latest in 2014.

Sometimes I was there for only a couple of days (like, during our year of a long distance relationship).

I honestly don't know how to provide them with exact dates on all stays there.

What did you guys do?

For example, is it sufficient to list the stamped date of entry and then do an approximation if I know I stayed roughly four weeks?

Unfortunately my passports don't have a stamp for when I exited the USA.

Any help or pointers on where to look would be helpful. Thanks!

Also, I'd be happy to provide you with any needed background info.

[Georgia16 2,858]

I did the DS-160 (different visa) but it only asked for the last 5 visits. And if not the exact date then just an estimate of the date...

[A'n'L 735]

Be as specific as possible. If you don't know exact dates, you don't know. That's fine, but be honest about that :-) For the more recent trips, you could probably pull up your itineraries from the travel agent?

[A'n'L 735]

I did the DS-160 (different visa) but it only asked for the last 5 visits. And if not the exact date then just an estimate of the date...

Did it? I remember inputting all my trips, and it has been more than five... In another section it asked for countries visited in the last five years, could I/you be confused?

[Georgia16 2,858]

Did it? I remember inputting all my trips, and it has been more than five... In another section it asked for countries visited in the last five years, could I/you be confused?

Hmm I'm pretty sure it did I put more in there though. And yes remember the one with other countries too ...

Hmm maybe I'm confusing them together ...

[Kuegs 5]

Be as specific as possible. If you don't know exact dates, you don't know. That's fine, but be honest about that :-) For the more recent trips, you could probably pull up your itineraries from the travel agent?

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Ya, thank you! I'll have to look for any and all itineraries (I hope my husband kept them. I'm notorious for deleting all "clutter" too quickly. lol)

Well, the DS 260 definitely calls for ALL visits. I'll try to post a link, but I'm not sure it'll work:

https://eforms.state.gov/editdocument.aspx?documentid=212&from=2&categoryid=1&form_format=3&Width=365

Question 35... I'll have to add an extra sheet for this I'm guessing, since I'll have to list about 10+ visits, four of them more than five years ago.

Thanks for the replies!

Edited April 27, 2016 by Kuegs

[A'n'L 735]

In Sweden the DS160 and DS260 are online forms, but I don't know if that's the case in Germany?

[Georgia16 2,858]

In Sweden the DS160 and DS260 are online forms, but I don't know if that's the case in Germany?

Yes ours look totally different from that one..

[Kuegs 5]

In Sweden the DS160 and DS260 are online forms, but I don't know if that's the case in Germany?

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Now that's a good question... And I'm confused again. lol

Well, I guess I'll eventually find out when (if...) we get the approval for our I 130.

Really hoping it won't take forever for that. (Online it says DCF Frankfurt takes about 1.4 months for the I 130 approval - provided there's no RFE necessary, but who knows...)

Yes ours look totally different from that one..

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Oh, really? Did yours get sent to you after the approval then?

Sorry, I'm a little all over the place. Still getting used to the forum and all - and the whole visa process. lol

[Georgia16 2,858]

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Now that's a good question... And I'm confused again. lol

Well, I guess I'll eventually find out when (if...) we get the approval for our I 130.

Really hoping it won't take forever for that. (Online it says DCF Frankfurt takes about 1.4 months for the I 130 approval - provided there's no RFE necessary, but who knows...)

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Oh, really? Did yours get sent to you after the approval then?

There was a link to it in the checklist I got.

https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

And it's okay we all need to learn going through these processes

Edited April 27, 2016 by Georgia16

[Kuegs 5]

Thank you! Interesting.

I guess I'll just wait what they'll make us do then and meanwhile gather as much info on my previous stays as possible.

Thank you again!

[JFH 12,190]

Following this with interest. I worked for a US airline for many years. I've been over 60 times! Surely I don't have to list them all?

[Georgia16 2,858]

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html

Just found this, it's still the DS-160 but it must be the same and it says last 5 visits under documents required

Here sample of DS-260 look at page 29 just on top of the small box it says the last five visits

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/DS-260%20Exemplar.pdf

Edited April 27, 2016 by Georgia16

[Kuegs 5]

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html

Just found this, it's still the DS-160 but it must be the same and it says last 5 visits under documents required

Here sample of DS-260 look at page 29 just on top of the small box it says the last five visits

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/DS-260%20Exemplar.pdf

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This is awesome! Thank you!

According to that a best estimate will suffice. I can certainly do that.

This helps a lot.

[Kuegs 5]

Following this with interest. I worked for a US airline for many years. I've been over 60 times! Surely I don't have to list them all?

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In the link Georgia posted it mentions the last five visits.

I really hope that's true - especially for you. I thought mine would be a bit of a hassle, but compared to your 60+ it's nothing! lol