NVC Filers - September 2013

[formywife 9]

After I made the payments, I can log in and print the Barcode cover sheet which needs to be sent with the package. Log in and check it out.

Where are the NVC experts, Saylin and Darnell to confirm what we need them to confirm what we need to send?

I looked into instruction for I-864 Ez on USCIS website and the instruction says:

1. Submit W-2 for the recent tax year

2. letter of employment from Employer

I guess the documents we are sending is more than enough

[calygirl75 12]

I looked into instruction for I-864 Ez on USCIS website and the instruction says:

1. Submit W-2 for the recent tax year

2. letter of employment from Employer

I guess the documents we are sending is more than enough

I filed an I-864EZ.

As part of back my up documentation I included:

Federal Income Tax Info for 2012-2012 (Transcripts)

2012 W-2 Wage & Tax Statement Form

Employment Verification Letter

Employer Payment stubs for Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

Hope this helps.

[calygirl75 12]

NVC representative have told me to wait until payment will be accepted, otherwise they will delay the AOS processing.

Since I was able to send my AOS packet first, I was nervous and waited until the website said Paid. Once it said paid (you can check my timeline below) I printed out the barcoded sheet and mailed out my pakcet. However, when I was getting ready to send my DS-230 (Packet IV) I was a bit more confident and did the following:

WED 07/17/13: Pay IV bill

THU 07/18/13: (AFTER checking with my bank account that the $ had been drafted by the NVC) the IV Package was sent via FedEx: (Actual delivery : Fri 7/19/2013 10:17 am)

FRI 07/19/13: IV bill shows PAID

MON 07/22/13: IV Package RECEIVED by NVC

[formywife 9]

I filed an I-864EZ.

As part of back my up documentation I included:

Federal Income Tax Info for 2012-2012 (Transcripts)

2012 W-2 Wage & Tax Statement Form

Employment Verification Letter

Employer Payment stubs for Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

Hope this helps.

Since I was able to send my AOS packet first, I was nervous and waited until the website said Paid. Once it said paid (you can check my timeline below) I printed out the barcoded sheet and mailed out my pakcet. However, when I was getting ready to send my DS-230 (Packet IV) I was a bit more confident and did the following:

WED 07/17/13: Pay IV bill

THU 07/18/13: (AFTER checking with my bank account that the $ had been drafted by the NVC) the IV Package was sent via FedEx: (Actual delivery : Fri 7/19/2013 10:17 am)

FRI 07/19/13: IV bill shows PAID

MON 07/22/13: IV Package RECEIVED by NVC

Thank you very much Calygirl75, appreciate it. My employer does not send me Payroll check, they do direct deposit. So I have included Bank statement, hopefully it helps.

[RandR2013 1]

Just talked to the NVC - their review time was increased to 30 business days (today). Wishing the Los Angeles field office didn't hold our approved petition for 2 and a half months - could have used those days.

They also confirmed that we would have to file the DS 260 electronically after the IV payment is invoiced and paid - and mail in the original documents once the DS 260 is filed electronically.

[Lowetide1 1]

I know this 30 business days is a killer I had my DS230 there since august 8th and they reviewed it on September 3rd had it been the weekend before no problem but I now need to submit new form. to top it off its now 30 b days so deflated right now.

[Lowetide1 1]

Also think I made a mistake on my ds 260 to top it all off. at the end it asks for case number and another number I think it asked for beneficiary id number? I put invoice number again the one I used to sign in. According to my Checklist it syasy I need to enter the b number somewhere if someone has done this or is doing it can you confirm this as I would like to know if I screwed up.

[RandR2013 1]

How many days after the IV fee is paid will the DS 260 become available? Does anyone know? Thanks.

[formywife 9]

VJ members,

Looks like NVC process has been changed from September 1, 2013. I went to travel.state.gov and found this information:

Department of State transitions to online immigrant visa application

Starting September 1, 2013, all immigrant visa applicants will apply online using Form DS-260 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration). Applicants will also choose their agent online using Form DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent). Applicants will access both forms on the web at ceac.state.gov.

These forms replace the paper DS-230 and DS-3032. The National Visa Center (NVC) may instruct some applicants who previously submitted Form DS-230 to submit Form DS-260. Only Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants will continue to use the paper forms. If you have questions or feedback about Forms DS-260 and DS-261, contact the NVC atnvcinquiry@state.gov or 603-334-0700.

More information can be obtained from : http://travel.state..../news_4413.html

Looks like everyone gonna file DS-261 instead of DS-3032 and DS-260 instead of DS-230 on Online.

Looks like admins have to update the general info page of NVC process.

Thanks

Edited September 6, 2013 by formywife

[Saylin 1,605]

For those confused about the new online forms process, let me break some stuff down and hopefully it clears stuff up.

First off, the new online forms are just that, online forms. The DS-261 and DS-260 are NOT part of electronic processing. Electronic processing (EP) is emailing in documents. Not everyone can do this yet. You still have to be eligible for EP before emailing in packages. The list of eligible countries can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html

Online forms portal: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

Please note: for both the DS-261 and DS-260, you'll need the Beneficiary ID Number. This is obtained either by calling the operator and asking or it's with your case number and IIN in the first letter you receive from NVC.

DS-261:

Now, the DS-261 replaces the DS-3032. So, instead of sending the DS-3032 once a case number is assigned, you'll have to wait for the DS-261 to become available on the online forms portal (link above). Once it's available, fill it out. It's exactly like the DS-3032, except online. If you wish to see screenshots of the DS-261, you can do so here: http://s128.photobucket.com/user/smurf47/media/Immigration/DS-261%20screenshots/1.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0 (these are screenshots I uploaded back in 2011, but should still be the same, or at least similar). To go through all the screenshots, click on the 'next' button (there are 6 images in total). Once you've submitted the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. This is for your own records.

DS-260:

The DS-260 replaces the DS-230. As before, you will still submit the IV package, just without the DS-230. The DS-260 will be done online. For me, it was only available once the IV appeared as PAID in the payment portal. Not sure if it's changed or not at all since then. But, at the most, it'll be a few days after you pay the IV bill. Like the DS-261, it'll be on the online forms portal (link above). You can do the DS-260 before or after you send the IV package, it doesn't matter. As long as it gets done, NVC doesn't care. Please note: depending on how prepared you are, the DS-260 can take a few hours. You can always save and return, if you wish; it doesn't need to be all done in one sitting. But, it'll take an hour at the least (30 minutes maybe if you're really fast). My suggestion is to have a DS-230 pre-filled out and that way you can just copy over the answers. This will shave off quite some time if you prepare ahead. But be warned, there are some differences between the DS-230 and DS-260 where the DS-260 asks for more information. You can view screenshots (and thus the differences) here from when it was first released back in 2010: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49845403/DS-260-screen-shots There have been changes since this original DS-260 was released, but it's quite similar still. As with the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. Make sure to bring this to the interview, just in case. It took Montreal quite a few months to get used to the online forms, so they were still requesting DS-230s at the interview. So, it might not be a bad idea if everyone going through NVC now brought a completed DS-230 to their interview, in case it's requested. Having a DS-230 already completed will shave off much time if you had to suddenly fill out the form at the embassy/consulate.

As for what will happen with those with current IV packages already at NVC waiting to be reviewed, only time will tell. For the DS-3032/DS-261 aspect, you shouldn't need to submit the online DS-261 if they've already accepted your DS-3032 and invoiced the IV bill. If you just got your case number this week (and from now onwards) though, you will need to submit the DS-261 online. For the DS-230/DS-260, if you've already submitted the DS-230, wait to see what NVC says. I'm assuming they'll accept all DS-230s that were received before this change took affect (just as with the new I-864 forms a few months ago). For everyone else going through the IV track this week and onwards though, you'll need to submit the DS-260 online. As with the paper forms, the beneficiary should be the one filling out the forms, but as always, the petitioner can either help them out or do it for them. Again, this isn't a problem. For those with lawyers/attorneys, you'll need to figure out with them if they're going to be doing the form online with your help or you'll be left alone to do it on your own time.

I'm hoping this sheds some light on the online forms process. Good luck!

[formywife 9]

Saylin,

Thank you very much for the information. Appreciate it.

For those confused about the new online forms process, let me break some stuff down and hopefully it clears stuff up.

First off, the new online forms are just that, online forms. The DS-261 and DS-260 are NOT part of electronic processing. Electronic processing (EP) is emailing in documents. Not everyone can do this yet. You still have to be eligible for EP before emailing in packages. The list of eligible countries can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html

Online forms portal: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

Please note: for both the DS-261 and DS-260, you'll need the Beneficiary ID Number. This is obtained either by calling the operator and asking or it's with your case number and IIN in the first letter you receive from NVC.

DS-261:

Now, the DS-261 replaces the DS-3032. So, instead of sending the DS-3032 once a case number is assigned, you'll have to wait for the DS-261 to become available on the online forms portal (link above). Once it's available, fill it out. It's exactly like the DS-3032, except online. If you wish to see screenshots of the DS-261, you can do so here: http://s128.photobucket.com/user/smurf47/media/Immigration/DS-261%20screenshots/1.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0 (these are screenshots I uploaded back in 2011, but should still be the same, or at least similar). To go through all the screenshots, click on the 'next' button (there are 6 images in total). Once you've submitted the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. This is for your own records.

DS-260:

The DS-260 replaces the DS-230. As before, you will still submit the IV package, just without the DS-230. The DS-260 will be done online. For me, it was only available once the IV appeared as PAID in the payment portal. Not sure if it's changed or not at all since then. But, at the most, it'll be a few days after you pay the IV bill. Like the DS-261, it'll be on the online forms portal (link above). You can do the DS-260 before or after you send the IV package, it doesn't matter. As long as it gets done, NVC doesn't care. Please note: depending on how prepared you are, the DS-260 can take a few hours. You can always save and return, if you wish; it doesn't need to be all done in one sitting. But, it'll take an hour at the least (30 minutes maybe if you're really fast). My suggestion is to have a DS-230 pre-filled out and that way you can just copy over the answers. This will shave off quite some time if you prepare ahead. But be warned, there are some differences between the DS-230 and DS-260 where the DS-260 asks for more information. You can view screenshots (and thus the differences) here from when it was first released back in 2010: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49845403/DS-260-screen-shots There have been changes since this original DS-260 was released, but it's quite similar still. As with the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. Make sure to bring this to the interview, just in case. It took Montreal quite a few months to get used to the online forms, so they were still requesting DS-230s at the interview. So, it might not be a bad idea if everyone going through NVC now brought a completed DS-230 to their interview, in case it's requested. Having a DS-230 already completed will shave off much time if you had to suddenly fill out the form at the embassy/consulate.

As for what will happen with those with current IV packages already at NVC waiting to be reviewed, only time will tell. For the DS-3032/DS-261 aspect, you shouldn't need to submit the online DS-261 if they've already accepted your DS-3032 and invoiced the IV bill. If you just got your case number this week (and from now onwards) though, you will need to submit the DS-261 online. For the DS-230/DS-260, if you've already submitted the DS-230, wait to see what NVC says. I'm assuming they'll accept all DS-230s that were received before this change took affect (just as with the new I-864 forms a few months ago). For everyone else going through the IV track this week and onwards though, you'll need to submit the DS-260 online. As with the paper forms, the beneficiary should be the one filling out the forms, but as always, the petitioner can either help them out or do it for them. Again, this isn't a problem. For those with lawyers/attorneys, you'll need to figure out with them if they're going to be doing the form online with your help or you'll be left alone to do it on your own time.

I'm hoping this sheds some light on the online forms process. Good luck!

[RandR2013 1]

Saylin,

Thank you. Just a quick note - we didn't need the BIN to submit the DS 261 (Assuming I did it correctly).

For those confused about the new online forms process, let me break some stuff down and hopefully it clears stuff up.

First off, the new online forms are just that, online forms. The DS-261 and DS-260 are NOT part of electronic processing. Electronic processing (EP) is emailing in documents. Not everyone can do this yet. You still have to be eligible for EP before emailing in packages. The list of eligible countries can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html

Online forms portal: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

Please note: for both the DS-261 and DS-260, you'll need the Beneficiary ID Number. This is obtained either by calling the operator and asking or it's with your case number and IIN in the first letter you receive from NVC.

DS-261:

Now, the DS-261 replaces the DS-3032. So, instead of sending the DS-3032 once a case number is assigned, you'll have to wait for the DS-261 to become available on the online forms portal (link above). Once it's available, fill it out. It's exactly like the DS-3032, except online. If you wish to see screenshots of the DS-261, you can do so here: http://s128.photobucket.com/user/smurf47/media/Immigration/DS-261%20screenshots/1.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0 (these are screenshots I uploaded back in 2011, but should still be the same, or at least similar). To go through all the screenshots, click on the 'next' button (there are 6 images in total). Once you've submitted the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. This is for your own records.

DS-260:

The DS-260 replaces the DS-230. As before, you will still submit the IV package, just without the DS-230. The DS-260 will be done online. For me, it was only available once the IV appeared as PAID in the payment portal. Not sure if it's changed or not at all since then. But, at the most, it'll be a few days after you pay the IV bill. Like the DS-261, it'll be on the online forms portal (link above). You can do the DS-260 before or after you send the IV package, it doesn't matter. As long as it gets done, NVC doesn't care. Please note: depending on how prepared you are, the DS-260 can take a few hours. You can always save and return, if you wish; it doesn't need to be all done in one sitting. But, it'll take an hour at the least (30 minutes maybe if you're really fast). My suggestion is to have a DS-230 pre-filled out and that way you can just copy over the answers. This will shave off quite some time if you prepare ahead. But be warned, there are some differences between the DS-230 and DS-260 where the DS-260 asks for more information. You can view screenshots (and thus the differences) here from when it was first released back in 2010: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49845403/DS-260-screen-shots There have been changes since this original DS-260 was released, but it's quite similar still. As with the DS-261, print out the confirmation page at the end. Make sure to bring this to the interview, just in case. It took Montreal quite a few months to get used to the online forms, so they were still requesting DS-230s at the interview. So, it might not be a bad idea if everyone going through NVC now brought a completed DS-230 to their interview, in case it's requested. Having a DS-230 already completed will shave off much time if you had to suddenly fill out the form at the embassy/consulate.

As for what will happen with those with current IV packages already at NVC waiting to be reviewed, only time will tell. For the DS-3032/DS-261 aspect, you shouldn't need to submit the online DS-261 if they've already accepted your DS-3032 and invoiced the IV bill. If you just got your case number this week (and from now onwards) though, you will need to submit the DS-261 online. For the DS-230/DS-260, if you've already submitted the DS-230, wait to see what NVC says. I'm assuming they'll accept all DS-230s that were received before this change took affect (just as with the new I-864 forms a few months ago). For everyone else going through the IV track this week and onwards though, you'll need to submit the DS-260 online. As with the paper forms, the beneficiary should be the one filling out the forms, but as always, the petitioner can either help them out or do it for them. Again, this isn't a problem. For those with lawyers/attorneys, you'll need to figure out with them if they're going to be doing the form online with your help or you'll be left alone to do it on your own time.

I'm hoping this sheds some light on the online forms process. Good luck!

[Saylin 1,605]

Saylin,

Thank you. Just a quick note - we didn't need the BIN to submit the DS 261 (Assuming I did it correctly).

Really? Can you take a look at the link to the DS-261 screenshots and see if they're similar to what you did? Cause the DS-261 I filled out asked for the BIN on the first page, along with my name.

[RandR2013 1]

Really? Can you take a look at the link to the DS-261 screenshots and see if they're similar to what you did? Cause the DS-261 I filled out asked for the BIN on the first page, along with my name.

Very similar (in substance and how it actually looks) - but no BIN required. After you sign in (with the NVC Case Number and IID) they ask for the following (copied and pasted from the form I filled in (they let you download and save the form once it is completed)):

Applicant Name:

Email Address:

Have you already legally immigrated to the

U.S. and no longer need to apply for an

immigrant visa?

Do you wish to appoint an agent or attorney to

receive mail about your visa application?

Correspondence from the U.S. Department of State regarding your visa application will be sent to:

Agent Name:

Agent Street Address:

City:

State/Province:

Postal Zone/ZIP Code:

Country/Region:

Agent Home Phone Number:

Agent Work Phone Number:

Email Address of Agent:

Preparer of Application:

Did anyone assist you in filling out this

application? (I said No.. so I'm not sure if saying "yes" triggers any more questions).

If someone else that hasn't done the DS 261 as yet can remember to take a few screen shots before they complete it and upload it here - it'd be very helpful for others! Wish I had thought of it. I will try to do so on the DS 260.

[Saylin 1,605]

Very similar (in substance and how it actually looks) - but no BIN required. After you sign in (with the NVC Case Number and IID) they ask for the following (copied and pasted from the form I filled in (they let you download and save the form once it is completed)):

[...]

If someone else that hasn't done the DS 261 as yet can remember to take a few screen shots before they complete it and upload it here - it'd be very helpful for others! Wish I had thought of it. I will try to do so on the DS 260.

Oh well, guess they changed that part in the last 2 years