DS156E, listed by the U.S. Department of State as Form DS-0156-E (also written DS-156-E), is the Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader / Investor Application that is used with form DS-156/I-129. It belongs to the Department's DS series of forms and the version listed on its eForms page is 12/2013. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. The original PDF is published by the Department of State at eforms.state.gov.
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What is DS-0156-E?
Form DS-0156-E, Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader / Investor Application Use with form DS-156/I-129, is a U.S. Department of State form for the treaty trader and treaty investor nonimmigrant application, designed to be used together with form DS-156 or form I-129.
The Department of State lists the form on its eForms site in the DS category under the name DS-0156-E, with version 12/2013. The same form is also written DS-156-E, DS156E and ds156_e, which is why the PDF file name differs from the listed form name.
The title says how the form is meant to be used: it is a companion to form DS-156/I-129 and not a replacement for it. The Department's eForms entry gives only the title, the version and the category, so the lines of the form and any instructions are found on the PDF itself and on the agency's own pages. This is not the same document as form DS-156 or form I-129.
Who needs to file DS-0156-E?
The title places this form with people who are completing form DS-156 or form I-129 for a nonimmigrant treaty trader or treaty investor application. It is meant to accompany that form.
The Department of State's eForms entry does not list eligibility rules, exclusions or signature requirements for DS-0156-E. For questions about whether you qualify as a treaty trader or investor, or about who may complete the form for you, go to the Department of State at eforms.state.gov and to the instructions that come with form DS-156 or form I-129.
If you are not completing form DS-156 or form I-129, the form's title gives no reason to use DS-0156-E on its own.
When to file DS-0156-E
DS-0156-E has no separate deadline of its own in the Department of State's eForms entry. Its title says it is used with form DS-156/I-129, so it is completed when you prepare that form and travels with it. For any deadline, appointment or filing window, follow the instructions for the form it accompanies.
How to fill out DS-0156-E
Confirm the form you are supporting
DS-0156-E is used with form DS-156/I-129, so have that form ready before you start and check which one applies to you.
Check the form version
The Department of State lists DS-0156-E with version 12/2013. Use the PDF published at eforms.state.gov.
Open the fillable PDF
Open the form on FillingPDF and complete each field as it is printed on the PDF.
Enter your details exactly
Type names, dates and other entries in the form the PDF asks for, and keep them consistent with the form DS-156/I-129 you complete.
Answer each question as printed
Follow the wording of every question on the form; for any entry you are unsure about, check the instructions for form DS-156 or form I-129 or the Department of State.
Review and download the PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and keep it with the form it accompanies, to be submitted as described under How to submit.
How to submit DS-0156-E
The Department of State's eForms entry names no address, portal or appointment rule for DS-0156-E. Because the form is titled "Use with form DS-156/I-129", it is submitted through the channels of the form it accompanies, together with that form.
- With form DS-156 or form I-129: include the completed DS-0156-E in the package for the form it supports, following that form's instructions.
- Agency information: the form and its listing are published at https://eforms.state.gov/FormInformation.aspx?FormID=239.
FillingPDF is an independent service and lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels of the Department of State and of the form it accompanies.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting DS-0156-E on its own, when its title says it is used with form DS-156/I-129.
- Treating DS-0156-E as a replacement for form DS-156 or form I-129 instead of completing the form it accompanies.
- Searching for or entering the wrong form number: the Department of State lists the form as DS-0156-E, while the PDF and many searches use DS-156-E or ds156e.
- Using this form for a different application type than the nonimmigrant treaty trader / investor application named in its title.
- Working from an unlabeled copy instead of the PDF published by the Department of State, which lists version 12/2013.
Frequently asked questions
What is ds156e?
DS156E is the common spelling of Form DS-0156-E, the Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader / Investor Application published by the U.S. Department of State. Its title says it is used with form DS-156/I-129, and the listed version is 12/2013.
Is DS-156-E the same as DS-0156-E?
Yes. The Department of State's eForms entry lists the form as DS-0156-E and also uses ds-156-e, ds156e and ds156_e as search names for it. They all point to the same Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader / Investor Application.
Can I file the DS156E form by itself?
The title says it is for use with form DS-156/I-129, so it is meant to accompany that form rather than stand alone. Check the instructions for form DS-156 or form I-129 for what the complete package must contain.
Can I fill out the DS-156-E form online?
Yes. You can fill out the fillable PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form; you submit it through the Department of State's channels with the form it accompanies.
What version of Form DS-0156-E is current?
The Department of State's eForms page lists version 12/2013 for DS-0156-E. Use the PDF published at eforms.state.gov, and check that site for any newer version before you rely on a saved copy.
Where do I get the official Form DS-156-E PDF?
The U.S. Department of State publishes the PDF at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds156_e.PDF, with its form information page on the same eForms site. This page lets you fill out the form online and download the completed PDF.
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