DS-260 dates not matching those of I130

[lilybells 9]

Hello!

 

I am in the process of filling out the DS-260 form on CEAC. Since I filed my I130 in September, I realized that the dates I listed for the time I've lived in my current location (Shanghai) are wrong. While I landed in Shanghai in late September 2015, I did so on a tourist visa, which later was switched to a residence visa mid-October 2015. As such, my police clearance will only cover the time from when I was officially a resident. Although on my I130 I listed late September as the time I started living here, can I correct this in the DS-260? Or, should I just do it exactly as I did on my I130 and then explain why my police clearance doesn't cover my whole stay when I upload the document at the civil documents stage? Thank you in advance to anyone who can help here!

[Punisher 40]

7 hours ago, lilybells said:

Hello!

 

I am in the process of filling out the DS-260 form on CEAC. Since I filed my I130 in September, I realized that the dates I listed for the time I've lived in my current location (Shanghai) are wrong. While I landed in Shanghai in late September 2015, I did so on a tourist visa, which later was switched to a residence visa mid-October 2015. As such, my police clearance will only cover the time from when I was officially a resident. Although on my I130 I listed late September as the time I started living here, can I correct this in the DS-260? Or, should I just do it exactly as I did on my I130 and then explain why my police clearance doesn't cover my whole stay when I upload the document at the civil documents stage? Thank you in advance to anyone who can help here!

It is unlikely anybody will notice this until consular interview, if at all. That discrepancy is not important and easy to explain. Police Certificate (and it's coverage) is the key though.

 

While technically you were initially just a "tourist" you have never left the place and switched to residency. Therefore it may be a bit awkward trying to explain you haven't resided in that country from the time you arrived (as tourist). The safest bet would be to have Police Certificate covering your entire stay there, unless it is impossible to get that way then keep it as it is and if CO asks then explain it to them. 

 

Regarding Police Certificate make sure you follow directly local embassy requirements in that matter.

Edited June 23, 2020 by Punisher

[lilybells 9]

9 hours ago, Punisher said:

It is unlikely anybody will notice this until consular interview, if at all. That discrepancy is not important and easy to explain. Police Certificate (and it's coverage) is the key though.

 

While technically you were initially just a "tourist" you have never left the place and switched to residency. Therefore it may be a bit awkward trying to explain you haven't resided in that country from the time you arrived (as tourist). The safest bet would be to have Police Certificate covering your entire stay there, unless it is impossible to get that way then keep it as it is and if CO asks then explain it to them. 

 

Regarding Police Certificate make sure you follow directly local embassy requirements in that matter.

Thank you so much! That's what I was leaning toward. Unfortunately, it's impossible to get my police certificate to cover the entire stay as they only have records from when I officially became a resident, but I'll make sure to make a note of that when I submit my police clearance and explain it at the interview if needed.