DS-261 in an IR5 (for Parent by a USC) Application

[jsmadrinan 0]

Hi everyone,

I am new in Visa Journey and it sure is comfort to see a lot of people having the same concerns as mine. My sister is a USC and she filed a petition for our mother under I-130 less than a month ago (19 December 2013). So actually, I am not out to get a US Visa for myself, I am just helping my mom and sister. We are yet in the very early stage of the process, but I believe it will do us best that we will be familiar with the many steps ahead.

My questions are:

1. At the appropriate time when we will accomplish already the DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent), should my mom (the beneficiary/applicant) appoint my sister (the sponsor/petitioner) as the agent?

2. Should we opt to do so, must we send the civil documents required in the IV Packet (e.g. Birth Certificates, etc.) to my sister and let her, being the appointed agent, mail everything to NVC?

3. Since September 2013, everyone is required already to apply online via DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application), this has effectively obsoleted the DS-230. Does this also affect the "pen-signature" requirement in the then DS-230, Part I? Will we be able to simply move on going thru DS-260 without the hassle of printing a Part I signing it with a "pen-signature" and then sending it to my sister?

One of the reason I am asking this is due to the fact that my mom is residing here in the Philippines while my sister is in the US. Every time a PH document is required or if my mom's "pen-signature" is required on a document, we have to go thru mailing them from PH to US and that's a lot of money involved.

I hope someone here can share to us how they did theirs during their NVC application.

[Darnell 8,479]

1. yes

2. yes

3. yes/yes

this sharing stuff? already posted - I invite you to find the advanced search tool.

[jsmadrinan 0]

1. yes

2. yes

3. yes/yes

this sharing stuff? already posted - I invite you to find the advanced search tool.

That you Darnell, your response certainly clarified some doubts I had! I am now trying to learn also using the advanced search tool as you suggested.

[jsmadrinan 0]

More questions here:

4. Is receipt of the DS-261 by the NVC still a requisite before they invoice the fee bill for the IV packet, and by extension, before any payment can be made for the IV processing?

5. Can the DS-260 be filled-out online even when no payment has been made yet?

I think questions 4 and 5 can be answered if we already had the NVC case number and IIN which the CEAC portal always asks from users. But, seeing as it is, we do not have this yet and I'm just relying on your experiences if you have gone through these.

That you Darnell, your response certainly clarified some doubts I had! I am now trying to learn also using the advanced search tool as you suggested.

Oops...I meant that to be "Thank you Darnell..."

[Darnell 8,479]

4. yes

5. don't know that one.