Visa applications to be electronic on Jan. 20

Beginning Jan. 20, 2009 all non-immigrant visa applicants with an appointment at the United States Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico will be required to use the DS-160 electronic NIV application form available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv, according to the consulate.

This form takes the place of the DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158 paper forms. E class investor applicants will need to fill out DS-156E in addition to DS-160. K class visa applicants will continue to use the DS-156 and DS-156K forms.

The consulate urges applicants to fill out completely and accurately all questions presented in the online application process.  Applicants who incorrectly fill out the form, leave information blank or attempt to use previous paper based forms will be denied, asked to resubmit their applications online again, and required to schedule a new appointment. Applicants need only print the Confirmation Page available after the form is complete and bring it with them to their interview, the consulate said.

The U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez now accepts legal inquiries exclusively through its online form at http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/feedback-form.html. Inquiries sent through other means will face significant delays in processing.

By Alex De Grand, Legal Writer, State Bar of Wisconsin