NVC Filers - July 2014

[TargetNovember14 41]

Hehe, yes a direct answer from moi

Yeah, I suggest giving the wiki another read as I gave it an overhaul on Monday. So, yes, once the AOS bill is paid, you can send the AOS package. Once the IV bill is paid, you can send the IV package.

So, you were able to log into the payment portal, but not the online forms portal? Either way, yes, just keep checking for when the AOS bill will be invoiced. Not sure if there's currently a delay with IV invoicing if there's lawyers attached to the case, but I would think it'd be pretty close to the same time as the AOS is invoiced.

Not sure if anything changes online, name-wise, if there's a lawyer attached. This would be a question for those that actually have lawyers as I personally don't have experience with that

Hello Saylin,

Thanks! i will definitely be reading it again (over and over) and keep checking to see any changes are made.

I am sorry i was able to log in both places in payment portal and the DS261 form.

I first tried to access the DS261 form. I entered my Case number and IIN number and it gave me this message:

"Please be advised that the case that you have attempted to access is not eligible for further processing by the National Visa Center at this time. if you believe that you have received this message in error contact the NVC".

Then i went to the payment portal where it showed under the AOS section -- the petitioner's name and said bill NOT INVOICED and nothing under the IV section.

I have a feeling (as per talking to another member here) --- that NVC has added an extra step -

once a case number and IIN number is assigned we now have to wait to get a confirmation email from NVC to log in to the DS261 form ( if you don't have an attorney) which is 2-4 weeks from the time your case number is assigned. If you do have an attorney, you may not need to sign in for the DS261 but i guess you still need to wait for the email confirmation from the NVC before the AOS and IV bill becomes available and once that happens you can pay the fees and move to submit your documents.

Ofcourse I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED this, i am trying to contact NVC again but there number is constantly busy. This "extra step" is purely on my deduction, which could be WRONG. I really hope it is WRONG!!!

[Married4Life13 38]

It seems like you are right! I called the NVC and spoke with Mel and he said that now we have to wait for the email to proceed.

[Saylin 1,605]

Hello Saylin,

Thanks! i will definitely be reading it again (over and over) and keep checking to see any changes are made.

I am sorry i was able to log in both places in payment portal and the DS261 form.

I first tried to access the DS261 form. I entered my Case number and IIN number and it gave me this message:

"Please be advised that the case that you have attempted to access is not eligible for further processing by the National Visa Center at this time. if you believe that you have received this message in error contact the NVC".

Then i went to the payment portal where it showed under the AOS section -- the petitioner's name and said bill NOT INVOICED and nothing under the IV section.

I have a feeling (as per talking to another member here) --- that NVC has added an extra step -

once a case number and IIN number is assigned we now have to wait to get a confirmation email from NVC to log in to the DS261 form ( if you don't have an attorney) which is 2-4 weeks from the time your case number is assigned. If you do have an attorney, you may not need to sign in for the DS261 but i guess you still need to wait for the email confirmation from the NVC before the AOS and IV bill becomes available and once that happens you can pay the fees and move to submit your documents.

Ofcourse I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED this, i am trying to contact NVC again but there number is constantly busy. This "extra step" is purely on my deduction, which could be WRONG. I really hope it is WRONG!!!

Ok, are you logging into the online forms portal then trying to access the DS-261 (unsuccessfully) or you can't log into the online forms portal at all? Remember, the DS-261 and online forms portal are two different things. The online forms portal consists of both the DS-261 and DS-260 (plus you can see the fee summary).

If you have a lawyer attached to your case, I highly suggest you do NOT click on the DS-261, otherwise you'll then have to wait 30 days for the IV bill to be invoiced. The lawyer will automatically be selected as agent, thus by-passing the DS-261. But, the DS-261 may still appear in the online forms portal, I'm not sure.

And yes, a few members have reported that the past few days where it seems like you may have to wait for the initial information package from NVC before even being able to log into anything. But, this is merely what operators have told them, and we should all be wary of anything they say.

[Married4Life13 38]

I am not able to log into the online forms portal at all but I CAN log into the payment portal. It says it has not been invoiced yet. I received my case number June 24th. It seems like this is pretty common now

[Saylin 1,605]

I am not able to log into the online forms portal at all but I CAN log into the payment portal. It says it has not been invoiced yet. I received my case number June 24th. It seems like this is pretty common now

Ah, so it appears they're only holding one portal back. At least you can continue on with the processing of the AOS track. Although, being that the IV track is taking longer at the moment...

[Married4Life13 38]

I don't see how I can continue on with the AOS track because I can't access any forms or make any payments yet.

[Saylin 1,605]

I don't see how I can continue on with the AOS track because I can't access any forms or make any payments yet.

The I-864 form can be found on USCIS. And you have to wait for the AOS bill to be invoiced to pay it.

[Married4Life13 38]

Thank you Saylin! I guess this frustration I am feeling is preventing me from thinking clearly.

[TargetNovember14 41]

Ok, are you logging into the online forms portal then trying to access the DS-261 (unsuccessfully) or you can't log into the online forms portal at all? Remember, the DS-261 and online forms portal are two different things. The online forms portal consists of both the DS-261 and DS-260 (plus you can see the fee summary).

If you have a lawyer attached to your case, I highly suggest you do NOT click on the DS-261, otherwise you'll then have to wait 30 days for the IV bill to be invoiced. The lawyer will automatically be selected as agent, thus by-passing the DS-261. But, the DS-261 may still appear in the online forms portal, I'm not sure.

And yes, a few members have reported that the past few days where it seems like you may have to wait for the initial information package from NVC before even being able to log into anything. But, this is merely what operators have told them, and we should all be wary of anything they say.

I am going to the https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

Over there under the immigrant section -- there are four options:

DS261

Fee payment

DS260

Check my visa application status

When i click fee payment and enter the Case number and IIN number i see under AOS section -- the name of the petitioner and it says bill NOT INVOICED. It says nothing under the IV section

When I click on DS261 --- it asks me for the case number and IIN number but i don't get the form at all. All it says is that this case is not eligible for further processing yet and if its an error i should contact the NVC. So i guess i cannot Log in to that section.

I havent clicked the DS260 or the visa application status at all. I am also attaching a print screen to show you where i am going.

[dwheels76 5,468]

I don't see how I can continue on with the AOS track because I can't access any forms or make any payments yet.

Sure you can. After reading the wonderfully written NVC Process Wiki you should have your AOS package ready to send. There's no waiting for NVC for a dang thing except to be invoiced..

You are just waiting to pay your fee. Yes?

[bdrew612 1,071]

I have a question (as this never really seemed to get resolved): a friend sent in their IV package with the AOS bar code sheet on top. What happens when someone does this? I know someone did it a couple months ago, but never came to light if the package was rejected/misplaced/check listed.

Personally, I think it's bad practice as we're sending in originals to an agency that isn't known for 'figuring it out'. Just curious as a friend is unsure if this will end well!

[Saylin 1,605]

I am going to the https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

Over there under the immigrant section -- there are four options:

DS261

Fee payment

DS260

Check my visa application status

When i click fee payment and enter the Case number and IIN number i see under AOS section -- the name of the petitioner and it says bill NOT INVOICED. It says nothing under the IV section

When I click on DS261 --- it asks me for the case number and IIN number but i don't get the form at all. All it says is that this case is not eligible for further processing yet and if its an error i should contact the NVC. So i guess i cannot Log in to that section.

I havent clicked the DS260 or the visa application status at all. I am also attaching a print screen to show you where i am going.Screen Shot 2014-07-02 at 12.45.18 PM.png

Ah, ok, now I understand, that looks to be a main CEAC site. If you go to the wiki, I give specific links for the payment portal and online forms portal, which are different from this main link you're going to. I mean, this main one will still get you to where you need to go, but you can try the other two links as well.

And definitely stop clicking on that DS-261 link As I said above, if you have a lawyer, then they'll be automatically selected, and if you accidentally get into the DS-261 and send it, then it may cost you 30 days. So, unless you want to spend even more time in NVC...

As for the DS-260, don't bother clicking on that one yet as it'll only be available after the IV appears as PAID. Although, you can certainly try

I have a question (as this never really seemed to get resolved): a friend sent in their IV package with the AOS bar code sheet on top. What happens when someone does this? I know someone did it a couple months ago, but never came to light if the package was rejected/misplaced/check listed.

Personally, I think it's bad practice as we're sending in originals to an agency that isn't known for 'figuring it out'. Just curious as a friend is unsure if this will end well!

Yeah, I'm not sure whatever came of it from the member who did that here, but I would never suggest doing that. Like you said, it's originals/certified copies, so those can get lost, not to mention the case can be delayed by putting the wrong bar-coded cover sheet on it.

[Molly&Juan 90]

Hey guys,

Thanks again to Saylin and everyone who helps to make this process tolerable!

I got my case number assigned yesterday which is a few days before I was expecting, so that's awesome! But I have a question about my employer letter. I got it from them last week but I just looked at it and it wasn't signed and it also didn't have my annual salary, so I need them to draft another one. I am a nurse and my biweekly paychecks (and therefore my annual salary) are a little different every time, based on exact hours worked, overtime, meetings, education, etc. They included my hourly rate but I think I need an annual salary amount from what it says on the NVC website.

My question is this:

Should I estimate the salary or should I have them include the salary from 2013 tax transcript?

Thanks again for the continued support!

[katieflossom 54]

Hi all. Hubby called NVC this morning and they wouldn't put him through to a supervisor. So we got the same answer - "under review. keep waiting."

We sent AOS packet on 7th May (IV packet had already been approved before that). Is there anything we can do? Should we be worried?!

Thanks in advance.

[ravi.patel 14]

any one got IV bill to pay since last two days??? Looks like noone is getting anything for the IV invoice....