The DS-156 is a form used for a non-immigrant visa. For the past
6 months or so, the form can be electronically filed. The problem is that
the form site is often down and applicants often have difficulty inputting
the form. For those of you who continue to experience difficulties using
the electronic DS-156 form, available at http://evisaforms.state.gov. The
Visa Office advises that, in all cases--at posts and during the remaining
tenure of the revalidation unit--the electronic form (which generates a
bar code on the first and third page when printed) is preferred, but NOT
required. Use the electronic form if you can, for doing so saves someone
(including consular officers at posts) from having manually to input DS-156
data. In any event, even if you do not use the electronic form, make sure
that you are using the most current version of the form, which as of this
writing is February 2003.
Although the
State Department site for the form seems more accessible now than before, some
people continue to encounter difficulties accessing the form or printing it
properly.
