Questions about DS-230

[__caitlin 2]

I'm a USC petitioning for my Canadian citizen husband and have some questions about the DS-230:

• #30 about places of residence: He's lived at the same address his entire life, with the exception of TWO places that he lived in for 3-4 months. The form says only to account for 6 months or more -- so how would I address these gaps?
  
• #35 previous visits to US: Being Canadian, he hasn't required a visa/etc. to visit the United States, and has visited many times over the past few years. If we can't remember/find records of all those visits, will it be okay?
  
• #42 refused entry: There was one time there was confusion about his employment. He was denied entry and asked to come back with pay stubs -- he did, and it hasn't been a problem for him to enter since then. If I just put "NEEDED TO PROVIDE PAY STUBS" in this section, is that okay?
  
• #44 assistance in completing application: If I, his wife, assisted him...do we need to list that?

Thank you!! Any and all help appreciated.

[NikLR 13,227]

Canadian citizens should be doing the DS-260 not the DS-230.

There are some major differences here:

1) They ask for the exact address of every place you've ever lived, no matter what the time frame.

2) only the last 5 visits to the USA need to be recorded

3) I'm not sure what the entry would be for this on the DS-260 - check Saylin's guide and you can also ask her since she was refused entry

4) no that's not needed, it's just for if you have an attorney or a visa service helping you.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

[Darnell 8,478]

hey __caitlin - you two thinking to opt in for electronic processing, or just stick with the paper forms?

[__caitlin 2]

Canadian citizens should be doing the DS-260 not the DS-230.

There are some major differences here:

1) They ask for the exact address of every place you've ever lived, no matter what the time frame.

2) only the last 5 visits to the USA need to be recorded

3) I'm not sure what the entry would be for this on the DS-260 - check Saylin's guide and you can also ask her since she was refused entry

4) no that's not needed, it's just for if you have an attorney or a visa service helping you.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

Ohh, I see. I thought the DS-260 was only for those using the Montreal site? My husband lives near Toronto, so I thought he would be using the Toronto location. We still need to use the DS-260?

hey __caitlin - you two thinking to opt in for electronic processing, or just stick with the paper forms?

Hi -- I would love for electronic processing, yes. But I only JUST mailed out the I-130 package last weekend and am VERY new to this. At what point do I opt in for electronic processing and how?

I'm doing my best to read the guides but it can be confusing at times. Any instructions you guys can give would be amazing!

Edited August 8, 2013 by __caitlin

[Darnell 8,478]

ah. ok.

NVC doc intake occurs AFTER the I-130 is approved.

If'n you just sent the I-130 off to USCIS lockbox, yer in for a wait.

as to 'when' to start NVC doc intake, about 17 days after approved I-130 arrives at NVC.

So, you have some time. when I was reading yer question back at post #1, I sorta felt you were actually doing stuff at NVC.

re: Toronto vs Montreal vs Vancouver - sorry - all CR-1/IR-1 visa interviews are in Montreal.

[Kazeem12 0]

my wife is in US and mail the DS 230 to me yestday and was asking me to sign, pls will I print it out and sign and scan it back to her. Thanks

[Darnell 8,478]

you can, but NVC won't accept a scan.

must to show original signature,

so

YOU must send it back to her via some shipping method.

[NikLR 13,227]

Ohh, I see. I thought the DS-260 was only for those using the Montreal site? My husband lives near Toronto, so I thought he would be using the Toronto location. We still need to use the DS-260?

Hi -- I would love for electronic processing, yes. But I only JUST mailed out the I-130 package last weekend and am VERY new to this. At what point do I opt in for electronic processing and how?

I'm doing my best to read the guides but it can be confusing at times. Any instructions you guys can give would be amazing!

Your husband will be going to Montreal. It is the only place in Canada in which they do immigrant visa interviews. I know it sucks, I had to fly from Alberta. At least your husband lives closer to a panel physician!

Darnell gave you some good idea for a timeline. It takes about 8-12months for the whole process in general. Some people are faster of course, but expect about 6 months for the initial petition before you need documents for the NVC. Spend time studying the link I posted and getting all the NVC documents you need (a police certificate in Canada is valid for 1 year at the consulate.) Also you can pop down into the Canada regional forum for any questions that are specific to Canada if you want.