Surname and Given Name in DS-156 form

[divghosh]

Hi,

My passport has the Surname field as blank and shows my complete name under "Given Name" only. When I went on to fill up my Visa application form, the DS-156 form asks me to specify my surname as well as the given name. The I-20 that I have received from university, I have been given admission to, mentions both parts (surname, first name) correctly. Can this discrepency between I-20 and passport be an issue in getting the Visa? Is there anyone who has faced a similar problem? What should I write in the Surname and Given Names fields of the DS-156 form? The way it is written in the passport (incorrectly) or the way it is written in I-20?

Please reply soon and get me out of this confusion.

Regards,
Divya.

[Tino]

Sure it could be a problem, you passport and documents do not match. It is understandable, but they do not match.

Why do you have a passport with your surname written in the given name field? Can you not get another passport? I think this could potentially cause problems anytime you travel.... just get the passport fixed.

Tino

[Max-GRE]

I would suggest u to go Info Counter at the Consulate any workday between 8:30 and 10:30 (in Mumbai) and they will verify if the passport needs to be replaced.

If you apply for the visa with current passport and the interviewing officer decidess that the passport needs to be replaced, he or she will postpone the issuance of the visa (if you qualify) until you have new passport.

Good Luck!

Max-GRE

[karthik.mdk]

i have a similar problem... only for me, i have no surname. only 2 given names.
...
since you do have a family/surname
you could
1. get your passport fixed.(better option for you i feel)
2. enter both your given names in the surname field.
enter FNU in the given name field (consulate protocol)
if you follow the second option, records will state you have no surname...
the visa will be stamped ONLY according to the passport.

[Tino]

That is correct. FNU = "Family Name Unknown"

Certain cultures do not have family names (or surnames), so the State Department uses the FNU acronym. It is quite common to see this on Indonesian visas.

Tino