Payment Center logs us off automatically

[Marie-Eve 3]

So we finally got to the NVC and were able to get our case number, (yippee!), DS-261 is filled and submitted and the AoS fee has been invoiced. I went through the payment portal a few times to "see what it looked like in there" and had no problem getting to the point where they ask the account information - then I was just cancelling as we were waiting for a money transfer to my US hubby account before paying the fee.

Now we've been trying for two days to access the portal again and it just won't work. We get to the sign in page, enter our information (under petitioner or principal applicant does not make any difference) and it takes us to the "Fee Invoice for IV Case MTL2014xxxxx" page where the Affidavit of Support (AOS) Fees are listed with an amount and marked as unpaid (duh).

Then as soon as we select that fee (by clicking the check box that normally allow you to go to the next step), we are logged off the portal to a page that reads: "

Sign Out
You have exited the Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center. We recommend that you close your browser now to ensure that all sessions have been properly closed. If you wish to sign in again, click on the Sign In button on the top menu. "

Now I am wondering if maybe that is happening because of the Holidays since it was fine for me before and just has not worked, as far as we know, for the last two days. Then again, there is no mention anywhere of the portal being unavailable for Christmas... and I don't quite know why machines would have to be closed for the Holidays. Processing the fee afterward, ok fine, might need some humans to do the job... but simply inputing our payment info...?

At this point, since the IV fee is not invoiced yet, and because we're doing Electronic Processing, we cant send anything because both packages have to be emailed at the same time, so its no big deal. Still a tiny bummer and a source of worries we could do without, but not a BIG deal.

Yet im curious...

Do you guys know anything about this? Did anyone else experienced that?

Marie

(And Merry Christmas to you all!)

[NikLR 13,232]

~~moved to NVC discussion from IR1 process and procedures~~

What browser are you using?

[nickalc 0]

1) Clear browser temperary files / history / cookies if you know what to do.

2) If not, download a different browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Opera; avoid IE-based browsers.

3) If you don't know what I'm talking in 2), use a different device, such as another computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone.

[NikLR 13,232]

Do not under any circumstances avoid IE. ALL US GOVERNMENT WEBSITES ARE MADE TO WORK ONLY WITH IE. My husband works for the government and has for the last 10 years. (8 in the military and 2 for the FAA.)

If you are having issues, use IE first.

Edited December 24, 2014 by NLR

[nickalc 0]

Do not under any circumstances avoid IE. ALL US GOVERNMENT WEBSITES ARE MADE TO WORK ONLY WITH IE. My husband works for the government and has for the last 10 years. (8 in the military and 2 for the FAA.)

If you are having issues, use IE first.

The reasons that I suggest to avoid IE-based browser are based on two of my assumptions, 1) Marie-Eve is not a computer expert, and 2) she used IE and had problem now.

If she don't know how to clear temperory files / cookies, and then she download another browser, but IE-based, something like Maxthon, SlimBrowser, etc. Then this different IE-based browser means absolutely nothing! Cuz these IE-based browsers are most likely using the same temporary files and cookies which caused the auto log-off problem.

So if she had problem with IE, and get another IE-based browser on the same user account on the same device, it doesn't help at all.

I just realized that I forget the user account part.

So, 3) should be log in with a different user account, and 4) be use a different device.

[NikLR 13,232]

The OP has not stated what browser she is using so I'm not sure where your assumption is? I've read through it several times.

You should always try to use Internet Explorer for government websites.

Edited December 25, 2014 by NLR

[nickalc 0]

The OP has not stated what browser she is using so I'm not sure where your assumption is? I've read through it several times.

You should always try to use Internet Explorer for government websites.

It's either a browser (temporary files/cookies) problem or web site problem. The latter is relatively rarer; and the fact that it lasted two days makes it even unlikely to be a government web site problem.

So, I assumed she's not too good with computer, then it would be highly possible that she's using the default browser; and since PC is way more common than Mac or Unix, then I assumed she's using a Windows OS, and the default browser is IE.

Then again, because of its popularity, IE is more vulnerable to hacker attacks. That's why I don't recommend IE or IE-based browsers to non tech-savvy.

It's just my assumption, and it definitely could be wrong.

I agree that "You should always try to use Internet Explorer for government websites." But if IE already had problems and you don't know how to fix it, it's time to embrace another browser.

[Marie-Eve 3]

Hello all!

Thank you for your time and your kind help.

Few info here to clear assumptions: I am a graphic and web designer - I know my way around browsers and cookies. Mmm... cookies!! I must admit thought that I didnt think of clearing said cookies or to try any other browsers - blame it on eggnog!

When we attempted to log in yesteday and this morning, my husband was on pc/chrome (from the USA) and I was on mac/firefox (in Canada). Tonight, after reading your helpful (and animated) thread replies, I tried good ole IE and it worked like a charm. So did Safari but Chrome and Firefox were still unwilling to collaborate even once the cache was cleared. Whatevers since i got in and was able to pay my fees!

Moving ahead! Thanks!

[NikLR 13,232]

Woot! Glad to know you could pay those fees! Never feels so good to give the government money does it?

[sharda 8]

So we finally got to the NVC and were able to get our case number, (yippee!), DS-261 is filled and submitted and the AoS fee has been invoiced. I went through the payment portal a few times to "see what it looked like in there" and had no problem getting to the point where they ask the account information - then I was just cancelling as we were waiting for a money transfer to my US hubby account before paying the fee.

Now we've been trying for two days to access the portal again and it just won't work. We get to the sign in page, enter our information (under petitioner or principal applicant does not make any difference) and it takes us to the "Fee Invoice for IV Case MTL2014xxxxx" page where the Affidavit of Support (AOS) Fees are listed with an amount and marked as unpaid (duh).

Then as soon as we select that fee (by clicking the check box that normally allow you to go to the next step), we are logged off the portal to a page that reads: "

Sign Out

You have exited the Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center. We recommend that you close your browser now to ensure that all sessions have been properly closed. If you wish to sign in again, click on the Sign In button on the top menu. "

Now I am wondering if maybe that is happening because of the Holidays since it was fine for me before and just has not worked, as far as we know, for the last two days. Then again, there is no mention anywhere of the portal being unavailable for Christmas... and I don't quite know why machines would have to be closed for the Holidays. Processing the fee afterward, ok fine, might need some humans to do the job... but simply inputing our payment info...?

At this point, since the IV fee is not invoiced yet, and because we're doing Electronic Processing, we cant send anything because both packages have to be emailed at the same time, so its no big deal. Still a tiny bummer and a source of worries we could do without, but not a BIG deal.

Yet im curious...

Do you guys know anything about this? Did anyone else experienced that?

Marie

(And Merry Christmas to you all!)

So i think I have a similar problem as you ...I was able to fill out DS 261 and pay AOS fee ...then on the website show "pay now" for IV fee but we haven't rec'd an invoice for IV fee and everything i try logging in to pay pay the IV fee it re-directing me back to the home page.....Do you if we have to wait for IV invoice before paying the IV fee?

[NikLR 13,232]

Yes you have to wait for the IV invoice. Normally takes about a month after sending the DS-261.

[sharda 8]

oh k ...thank you ....NLR

Another question ....Can I go ahead and fill out the visa application or do I have to wait to pay IV fee first ????

[NikLR 13,232]

oh k ...thank you ....NLR

Another question ....Can I go ahead and fill out the visa application or do I have to wait to pay IV fee first ????

You have to pay the IV bill first. The DS-260 will not be available until after the IV shows paid on their website.

[markgina 2]

dang i have been having this problem for days and just now see this on the cookies............... I have been tring on firefox.............but today I just sent the money in the mail cause it was seeming a issue...............

[NikLR 13,232]

dang i have been having this problem for days and just now see this on the cookies............... I have been tring on firefox.............but today I just sent the money in the mail cause it was seeming a issue...............

Firefox is your issue.