Ds-157

[Ramb]

Hi Gurus,
My parents are appearing for visa next month. Do I need to fill Ds-157 as they both are above 55 age. Please advise??

THANKS

[jaya_06]

Do you see DS-157 when you log into your parents' application? If so, you need to fill it. There is some confusion going on in this aspect. My parents, both above 55yrs of age, filled the DS157 form as it was shown on VFS website for their application.

My personal suggestion is to take the DS-157 form whether or not it is shown in the VFS website (hey.. just one extra form along with 100s of forms that we send out to our parents. We don't want their application to be denied based on this simple reason)

[Ramb]

I agree, Jaya! Thanks

[visitorvisa1]

even i couldn't find ds-157, i filled 156 form. where can i get 157 form just in case they ask my mom can show. thanks

[Ramb]

If I am not wrong I think it will force you to fill in VFS website when you take an appointment.

[jaya_06]

to:visitorvisa1 (DS-157 form)

You may get DS-157 from this website and "hand fill" the form

http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa/ds0157.pdf

[visitorvisa1]

to jaya

thanks jaya. also 1 more q, can we take the hand filled ds forms to the consulate, because whenever i try to open the saved application online most of the info is missing, don't know y. i tried to fill and save many times but its not saving the info. do they have the copy in their system. also can we edit forms online aafter appt confirmation if so how?
also my is 55, last time when i applied for visa in apr it showed ds-157 now its not showing, is it a good adea to take hand fillled form
pls advise, thanks

[jaya_06]

If VFS website shows the DS-157, I suggest you to fill it online and use it. If it doesn't show it (may be coz of parents' age), I suggest to take a hand-filled form. If questioned, your parents can say that VFS system didn't show the form and hence they downloaded one from the USA travel department's website and hand-filled it. I think, DS157 is just a support document and hence is not of utmost important. I don't think they care whether it is filled online or whether it is hand-filled. But, again, if the VFS website shows one for your parents, they have to use only that. (My parents are both 55+, but the VFS website showed the DS-157 form. I filled the forms when I booked the appt back in Mar-06. The rules may have changed now)

Regarding why you are not able to save any details, you may contact VFS about it. Make sure you hit the 'save and exit' button using the mouse. Coz when you hit enter after filling the last field in the form, it may be really going to Cancel button (depending on how VFS set their preferences on the page).

Once the above issue is resolved, you will be able to edit the fields using 'Retrieve and Modify saved application' link on VFS website. You can not edit the fields from Q1 to Q14, but all other fields are editable until 2 days prior to the appt.

I suggest you to resolve the DS-156 issue with VFS and take an "online filled" form to the interview (unlike DS-157 which may be hand-written if it doesn't show up on VFS website)

[visitorvisa1]

jaya

thanks 4 the reply. also is it ok to take handfilled ds156 form to the interview if the issue is not resolved. thanks

[jaya_06]

thanks 4 the reply. also is it ok to take handfilled ds156 form to the interview if the issue is not resolved. thanks

If the issue is not resolved and if you don't have any choice, a hand-filled DS156 may be okay. But, this is the form that the consulate keeps and saves for future use. Hence, they may really prefer an electronic copy. They may even look into their computer for the form while asking the interview questions instead of looking into the printout.

My suggestion is to write/talk/fight with VFS and get this resolved.