DS-260 Question

[thinpea 32]

I’m currently filling out the DS-260 form and I have run into a question:

 

Have you ever been issued a U.S. visa? As a Canadian I don’t really apply for a visa to get into the U.S., I get a “B1/B2 visa” but would this still be considered a Visa for this application? If I should say yes, what would I use as the visa number? 

[Mike E 11,739]

28 minutes ago, thinpea said:

 I get a “B1/B2 visa”

No you do not. You are visa exempt.

Quote

but would this still be considered a Visa for this application?

It is not considered a visa. Answer is “no”

Edited May 30, 2023 by Mike E

[thinpea 32]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

No you do not. You are visa exempt.

It is not considered a visa. Answer is “no”

Ok so B1/B2 visa’s are just not considered an actual visa? Even if I have a B1/B2 stamp in my passport on the Visa page? 

[Mike E 11,739]

14 minutes ago, thinpea said:

Ok so B1/B2 visa’s are just not considered an actual visa?

That question makes no logical sense.
 

B-1/B-2 visas are issued by U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates, and require DS-160 to be filed, and usually require an interview. 
 

This is what a B-1/B-2 visa looks like:

 

Do you have one of those?

 

Quote

Even if I have a B1/B2 stamp in my passport on the Visa page? 

That stamp indicates your class of admission. It is not a visa. Canadians are generally exempt from being required to get B-1/B-2 visas. There are a minority who do have them, mostly limited to frequent business travelers, and BC residents with vacation homes in Washington state. I am Canadian, and have met just one Canadian who had a B-1/B-2 visa.

 

 

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by Mike E

[thinpea 32]

7 minutes ago, Mike E said:

That question makes no logical sense.
 

B-1/B-2 visas are issued by U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates, and require DS-160 to be filed, and usually require an interview. 
 

 

Oh alright, I had no idea. Just thought the B2 was always a stamp in your passport, didn’t realize there was a more official version. Thanks 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Progress Reports to IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures ***

 

[pushbrk 12,812]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

That question makes no logical sense.
 

B-1/B-2 visas are issued by U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates, and require DS-160 to be filed, and usually require an interview. 
 

This is what a B-1/B-2 visa looks like:

 

Do you have one of those?

 

That stamp indicates your class of admission. It is not a visa. Canadians are generally exempt from being required to get B-1/B-2 visas. There are a minority who do have them, mostly limited to frequent business travelers, and BC residents with vacation homes in Washington state. I am Canadian, and have met just one Canadian who had a B-1/B-2 visa.

 

 

 

Terminology gets a little fuzzy in this area.  You are right that the OP should answer "no" but if you look on your passport's actual pages, you will see the entry stamp  is placed on a page labeled "VISAS".  It is a visa granted upon entry, not a visa applied for.  Canadians are not visa exempt.  They have a special Canadian Visitor Privilege that grants them six months visits in the B1B2 class of entry.

[Mike E 11,739]

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Canadians are not visa exempt

Yes we are.

 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf
 

 

Visa Exempt Visitors:

Canadian Nationals

• Passport required. Exempt visa requirement with the exception of E, K and V nonimmig classifications 
   

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

They have a special Canadian Visitor Privilege

Can you cite the U.S. government’s use of this term?

 

What terms are  used for F-1,  TN-1, and some

of the other non immigrant visa exemptions that you claim do not exist? I have never heard of Canadian Student Privilege, Canadian Trade NAFTA Privilege, etc. 

 

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

you will see the entry stamp  is placed on a page labeled "VISAS

1. There are no other pages to place an entry stamp

2. Is an exit stamp from India, Schengen, Maldives, etc placed on one of those pages a visa?

3. Is an I-551 stamp from DHS on a “Visa” page a visa?

4. People who have visas sometimes get entry stamps too? Is each entry  stamp associated with that visa a separate visa?

5. When I get a new passport, the word VOID is punched through every page of the old passport except the visas that are still valid, and so need to be preserved. Are those hole punches visas?

6. What about when CBP does not provide an entry stamp while still inspecting a Canadian stamp: is there still a visa?

7. Is the stamp an ESTA visitor gets a visa?

8. Is an entry stamp for an LPR a visa? The ones that say ARC?

9. Is an immigration visa endorsement from

CBP a visa?

 

 

 

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by Mike E

[pushbrk 12,812]

4 hours ago, Mike E said:

Yes we are.

 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf
 

 

Visa Exempt Visitors:

Canadian Nationals

• Passport required. Exempt visa requirement with the exception of E, K and V nonimmig classifications 
   

Can you cite the U.S. government’s use of this term?

 

What terms are  used for F-1,  TN-1, and some

of the other non immigrant visa exemptions that you claim do not exist? I have never heard of Canadian Student Privilege, Canadian Trade NAFTA Privilege, etc. 

 

1. There are no other pages to place an entry stamp

2. Is an exit stamp from India, Schengen, Maldives, etc placed on one of those pages a visa?

3. Is an I-551 stamp from DHS on a “Visa” page a visa?

4. People who have visas sometimes get entry stamps too? Is each entry  stamp associated with that visa a separate visa?

5. When I get a new passport, the word VOID is punched through every page of the old passport except the visas that are still valid, and so need to be preserved. Are those hole punches visas?

6. What about when CBP does not provide an entry stamp while still inspecting a Canadian stamp: is there still a visa?

7. Is the stamp an ESTA visitor gets a visa?

8. Is an entry stamp for an LPR a visa? The ones that say ARC?

9. Is an immigration visa endorsement from

CBP a visa?

 

 

 

 

Canadian visitors are issued visas upon arrival, but not guaranteed entry.  The are exempt from applying for visas.  No point in arguing the minutia.

[TBoneTX 45,022]

A hijack post has been split from this thread and moved to the Europe & Eurasia regional forum as a stand-alone topic.