Can I fill out and submit the DS-160 for my fiancee??

[charlieprince 24]

Posted this in this thread here but have not gotten a reply yet:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/484245-can-i-the-petitioner-fill-out-form-ds-160-for-my-fiance/#entry7414361

BOTTOM LINE: My fiancee has no computer with internet access AND a printer! She is in Riyadh so there's no internet cafes/etc. Her work also prohibits it not to mention it's a closed country meaning movement is restricted and she cannot get around freely.

I like to prepare ahead of time so thinking ahead.. can I fill out the DS-160 and submit it for her?? Once I do I am planning on printing out the confirmation/barcode and mailing it to her via FedEx but I am reading conflicting reports.

I understand a third party can fill out the form but the beneficiary has to submit it/sign electronically. How can they prove it was not her who submitted it/etc?!

Shouldn't the barcode/confirmation page be the only thing necessary for her interview?!

anyone?

[sma1488 155]

No.

"Other people can assist you with your visa application. Note that under U.S. law (22 C.F.R. 41.103) you must electronically sign and submit your own application unless you qualify for an exemption. Even if someone else helped you complete the application, you (the applicant) must click the “Sign Application” button, or your application may not be accepted."

I imagine it would be pretty easy for them to see the location from which the form was completed and submitted online. Whether they routinely check this, nobody here can tell you, but do you really want to take that risk? I sure wouldn't. I know very little about Middle Eastern culture, but is there literally NO WAY she can access a computer with the internet and a printer? If not, I guess she could complete it herself, e-mail the barcode form for you to print, and then you send it to her in the mail. Sounds very complicated, but better than the alternative of breaking the law, in my opinion.

[charlieprince 24]

No.

"Other people can assist you with your visa application. Note that under U.S. law (22 C.F.R. 41.103) you must electronically sign and submit your own application unless you qualify for an exemption. Even if someone else helped you complete the application, you (the applicant) must click the “Sign Application” button, or your application may not be accepted."

I imagine it would be pretty easy for them to see the location from which the form was completed and submitted online. Whether they routinely check this, nobody here can tell you, but do you really want to take that risk? I sure wouldn't. I know very little about Middle Eastern culture, but is there literally NO WAY she can access a computer with the internet and a printer? If not, I guess she could complete it herself, e-mail the barcode form for you to print, and then you send it to her in the mail. Sounds very complicated, but better than the alternative of breaking the law, in my opinion.

Yes. It's retarded how strict it is over there. There is NO WAY POSSIBLE at all for her right now to do the form herself AND print it out. See here's the problems:

-computer with internet access

-printer

that combination is the problem. I was hoping she can do it at work but her hospital does not allow it (no internet). They live in a compound which is modern day slavery.

so yea, it's bad the way they treat OFW (overseas foreign workers) in Riyadh..

sigh messed up the formatting -.- whatever, that's my response

Edited January 6, 2015 by charlieprince

[Zedayn 485]

Only the applicant is allowed to electronically sign and submit the DS-160, UNLESS you qualify to be exempted from doing so. From http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html :

Who is exempt from signing the form?

If the applicant is under the age of 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, the applicant’s parents or guardian may complete and click the “Sign Application” button on his or her behalf. If the applicant has no parent or legal guardian, then the application may be completed by any person having legal custody of, or a legitimate interest in, the applicant.

From what you said it is nearly impossible for your fiancée to physically be able to sign and submit this form on her own, therefore you may be able to submit it on her behalf.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Zedayn

[sma1488 155]

I may be completely wrong, but my interpretation of "physically incapable" is that it refers to a physical disability. And also, it only says the parent or guardian may click the button, not the fiancé.

[Zedayn 485]

I may be completely wrong, but my interpretation of "physically incapable" is that it refers to a physical disability. And also, it only says the parent or guardian may click the button, not the fiancé.

You may be right. Who defines the definition of "physically incapable" ? It very well may be limited to a physical disability, or the meaning could be more broad in the sense that it could also include physical inabilities to completing the form due to physical restrictions, ie restricted computer/internet access.

And the fiancé is considered a "person having a legitimate interest in the applicant", so yes they qualify to sign.

Who is exempt from signing the form?

If the applicant is under the age of 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, the applicant’s parents or guardian may complete and click the “Sign Application” button on his or her behalf. If the applicant has no parent or legal guardian, then the application may be completed by any person having legal custody of, or a legitimate interest in, the applicant.

[Pinkrlion 2,607]

Email the embassy and ask.

[sma1488 155]

You may be right. Who defines the definition of "physically incapable" ? It very well may be limited to a physical disability, or the meaning could be more broad in the sense that it could also include physical inabilities to completing the form due to physical restrictions, ie restricted computer/internet access.

And the fiancé is considered a "person having a legitimate interest in the applicant", so yes they qualify to sign.

Who is exempt from signing the form?

If the applicant is under the age of 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, the applicant’s parents or guardian may complete and click the “Sign Application” button on his or her behalf. If the applicant has no parent or legal guardian, then the application may be completed by any person having legal custody of, or a legitimate interest in, the applicant.

That part is equally as ambiguous. The part you bolded is only true if "the applicant has no parent or legal guardian"...but what does that mean exactly? Do they have to be deceased, residing in a different country...or does that not even apply if the applicant is over some minimum age, like 16 or 18? Who knows.

Email the embassy and ask.

It's not an embassy-specific issue, so I'd think the Department of State would be your best bet. I was unable to find a general customer service number for them after a quick Google search, however.

EDIT: On the other hand, maybe this particular embassy (and others in the Middle East) has received this question many times given the cultural climate towards women in the country. It's worth a shot.

Edited January 6, 2015 by sma1488