Packet 3 Questions.

[WishUsLuck 0]

Once again, thanks to everyone on VJ for the help so far. At this point, our K1 petition has been approved, left NVC, and is on its way to Montreal. We have a case #, but Montreal hasn't received the petition yet and consequently Packet 3 hasn't been sent out yet either.

We're working on getting everything together for Packet 3, however I am super confused about this entire phase of the process. I did look at the helpful sticky at the top of this forum, but I feel as though Packet 3 information was sort of glazed over (and that's been my experience searching anywhere on the internet for guidance about this stuff).

I'm sure we'll have more questions later, but here are my main ones so far:

1. This one is simple curiousity: When/if folks actually get Packet 3 in the physical mail, what does it really look like? Is it just a printout of the checklist, or are there instructions and other information as well?

2. These are the forms I understand we need to send in: DS-230 (Part 1 only), DS-156 (two copies), DS-156K, and DS-160 (just the confirmation receipt). Then we also send the checklist, two passport-style photos, and a copy of his passport bio page. Is this correct? There aren't any fee payments we need to send with Packet 3, are there?

3. For the checklist, should we put a check next to every single item, even if certain things don't apply (like divorce certificates, etc.), or do we only check what applies to us?

4. For the passport-style photos, should we put his full name and A# on the back (or any other info)? The directions don't say anything about this. For the I-129F, I had written the full names on the back because it was required.

5. The DS-156 and the DS-160 (from my understanding) both have barcodes associated with them. Are we allowed to complete these forms and generate the barcode at any time, or do we need to wait until Packet 3 has actually been sent out? I don't want to mess anything up in their system (as I mentioned, we do have a MTL case #; Montreal just hasn't actually gotten our peition yet).

6. For DS-156, there are a bunch of questions that don't apply to the K1. For example, the date my fiance intends to arrive in the U.S. The VJ example form leaves this space blank; is that what other folks did? I heard we aren't supposed to leave any spaces blank. This same issue goes for the Spouse name/DOB spaces.

7. The DS-156K mentions that we need to attach a bunch of documents - birth certificate, etc. I think I read that we don't actually need to send those in with Packet 3; is this correct?

8. For DS-230: my fiance went to college, but had to stop halfway through and did not get a degree. Should we list the college anyway under "educational institutions" and put something like "Not Completed" under Degree/Diploma?

And finally, jumping ahead a bit to the interview. I am so confused about which "original documents" he needs to bring from the I-129F petition. At first, I thought it was just originals of the evidence (like tickets, receipts, etc.). But then a couple of places I read that I need to actually send my fiance MY original birth certificate (a copy of which was sent with the I-129F), which he will be asked for at the interview. I'm worrying like crazy about this, though it seems weird that I would have to send him something like that... I mean, what if I need my birth certificate for something in the meantime? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance!

[pocheros 101]

Once again, thanks to everyone on VJ for the help so far. At this point, our K1 petition has been approved, left NVC, and is on its way to Montreal. We have a case #, but Montreal hasn't received the petition yet and consequently Packet 3 hasn't been sent out yet either.

We're working on getting everything together for Packet 3, however I am super confused about this entire phase of the process. I did look at the helpful sticky at the top of this forum, but I feel as though Packet 3 information was sort of glazed over (and that's been my experience searching anywhere on the internet for guidance about this stuff).

I'm sure we'll have more questions later, but here are my main ones so far:

1. This one is simple curiousity: When/if folks actually get Packet 3 in the physical mail, what does it really look like? Is it just a printout of the checklist, or are there instructions and other information as well?

It's just a letter telling you to go online to get the packet 3 forms basically. Nothing special but you'll want to hold on to either Packet 3 or Packet 4 for the medical exam as they need evidence that you've been assigned a case number.

2. These are the forms I understand we need to send in: DS-230 (Part 1 only), DS-156 (two copies), DS-156K, and DS-160 (just the confirmation receipt). Then we also send the checklist, two passport-style photos, and a copy of his passport bio page. Is this correct? There aren't any fee payments we need to send with Packet 3, are there?

Correct. No fees payments. If you are only a permanent resident of Canada and not a citizen you also need to send evidence that you are a PR.

3. For the checklist, should we put a check next to every single item, even if certain things don't apply (like divorce certificates, etc.), or do we only check what applies to us?

Only what applies to you. I personally didn't check anything off I just signed it and dated it and MTL accepted it.

4. For the passport-style photos, should we put his full name and A# on the back (or any other info)? The directions don't say anything about this. For the I-129F, I had written the full names on the back because it was required.

It couldn't hurt to do so, I think I wrote my name on the back. I -think- pencil is preferred.

5. The DS-156 and the DS-160 (from my understanding) both have barcodes associated with them. Are we allowed to complete these forms and generate the barcode at any time, or do we need to wait until Packet 3 has actually been sent out? I don't want to mess anything up in their system (as I mentioned, we do have a MTL case #; Montreal just hasn't actually gotten our peition yet).

You do not need to wait to receive packet 3 in the mail before filling it out, it only needs to be "logged." You can find out if it's logged by calling the Department of State. I don't think it messes anything up in their system but you should wait until it's logged before filling it out in case MTL wants an RFE or something weird (unlikely.) You can fill out the forms and send them to MTL before you receive Packet 3; in fact it's not unusual for Packet 3 and Packet 4 to be very slow in the mail so you save yourself a lot of time by just calling DoS. Same for scheduling an interview; DoS simply needs to confirm that Packet 4 is logged and you can go ahead and book it.

6. For DS-156, there are a bunch of questions that don't apply to the K1. For example, the date my fiance intends to arrive in the U.S. The VJ example form leaves this space blank; is that what other folks did? I heard we aren't supposed to leave any spaces blank. This same issue goes for the Spouse name/DOB spaces.

7. The DS-156K mentions that we need to attach a bunch of documents - birth certificate, etc. I think I read that we don't actually need to send those in with Packet 3; is this correct?

You do not send these in with Packet 3, correct. Just the forms, photos, and photocopy of the passport. You bring the other documents to the interview.

8. For DS-230: my fiance went to college, but had to stop halfway through and did not get a degree. Should we list the college anyway under "educational institutions" and put something like "Not Completed" under Degree/Diploma?

That sounds good to me.

And finally, jumping ahead a bit to the interview. I am so confused about which "original documents" he needs to bring from the I-129F petition. At first, I thought it was just originals of the evidence (like tickets, receipts, etc.). But then a couple of places I read that I need to actually send my fiance MY original birth certificate (a copy of which was sent with the I-129F), which he will be asked for at the interview. I'm worrying like crazy about this, though it seems weird that I would have to send him something like that... I mean, what if I need my birth certificate for something in the meantime? Does anyone have any experience with this?

I -think- once upon a time MTL requested the USC's birth certificate but that is no longer common for K1s. I brought my husband's original birth certificate to the interview but they did not ask to see it (my consulate review is in my sig.) However, MTL can technically request to see anything they want. You can probably get away with not bringing it but other VJers will have more input on this. If the circumstances surrounding your citizenship looked odd/questionable then I'd probably send him your original birth certificate just to be safe.

Thanks in advance!

Answer to the other questions pending when I look up some things... Sorry if the pronouns are mixed up; I gather you're the USC.

Edited January 27, 2013 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

6. For DS-156, there are a bunch of questions that don't apply to the K1. For example, the date my fiance intends to arrive in the U.S. The VJ example form leaves this space blank; is that what other folks did? I heard we aren't supposed to leave any spaces blank. This same issue goes for the Spouse name/DOB spaces.

You provide a date "if known" (says so on the form.) So you can leave it blank, or you can put something like "when visa is approved." Like the example form shows, you put NONE for spouse name and leave spouse DOB blank. This form isn't used just for K1s so that's why there are questions like that.

Check PAGE 6 of this PDF of packet 4 for a checklist of things to bring to the interview: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet4-montreal.pdf Don't mix this up with PAGE 5 which is for CR1/IR1s. Also not everything on that checklist will necessarily apply to you, e.g. marriage and divorce certificates are only if one of you has been divorced, military records only if there was military service, etc.

Edited January 27, 2013 by pocheros