DS-156 Intent to Study Question

[TLJohnson 1]

In all of the samples I have seen everyone has just checked the "No" box on question 33 of the DS-156 form that asks if the filer intends to study in the U.S. This would probably be the path of least resistance, but if I know that my fiance plans to pursue a doctoral degree here in the U.S., how should I handle that on the form? If I don't mention it and just check "No" for simplicity's sake, could that come back to haunt us in some way during the AOS process? If I want to be honest and say yes, but there are no firm plans or anything already in place, how has anyone dealt with that in the past? Any guidance would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Amyyduck 20]

I don't know for sure, and hopefully someone will come along to answer your question that does, but my best guess would be that this is a standard form for a variety of different visas, one of which might be a student visa. If you were using it for a student visa that question would obviously be very important. Since you're not, I'm thinking its not.

I'd definitely be interested to hear other opinions on this though, because my fiance is planning on getting his PhD here eventually as well. We don't know when or where and there are no definite plans so I think we're just going to check no for the sake of simplicity. By the time he applied to any PhD programs he'd be a permanent resident anyway and I don't think it would matter. But again, thats just my best guess.

Edited September 5, 2010 by Amyyduck

[usmcwife 3]

I also filed for a K1, hoping to go back to school at some point. Since I have no immediate plans to do so, (i haven't applied to a college) I checked 'no' to that box. I think they are looking more for people who already have applied or been accepted to colleges and aren't going to wait for their greencard or authorization. I don't think it will come back to haunt you if your fiance plans to wait a year or two.

[*m&m* 1]

yes i did tick the "no" box as well.. although i am thinking (with no set plans) of taking my master's degree..

[TLJohnson 1]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your quick responses! I ended up checking "Yes" and writing "I intend to likely pursue further higher education in the U.S., but have no distinct plans at this time.", but I think I will probably redo the form and just check "No" for simplicity's sake. I think your assessment is correct that this form is used for many different types of visas, and so this question is probably not so relevant for a K-1 filer.