Problems Signing Into CEAC - Online Login

[triterp80 1]

After signing into the CEAC and then clicking "DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application", I entered my case number and invoice id number and chose "petitioner" and got an error:

The selected Case Number and Invoice Identification Number combination you entered does not match our records. Please try again or contact the National Visa Center for further assistance.

I have paid my fees as shown in my signature and am now awaiting the point at which the IV application fee becomes available so I can pay that and so my wife and I can start filling it out so, and I have been signing in once every 2-3 days to see if it has become available yet, so there were no problems before. Furthermore, I am the third party agent on my wife's mother's case (different petitioner husband) and when I signed into her application as the third party agent, there were no problems. So I know it's not my browser or some issue with the website itself.

I double and triple checked my case number and id number against the letter I received to ensure it was correct and it was. I tried typing it in digit by digit and also separately copying and pasting and neither worked. I also tried a different browser.

I also put the case number in the Check Visa Application Status link and got the following error:

Your search did not return any data.

Again I tried her mother's case number and it worked.

I'm confused and a bit worried... does anybody know what this means?

Edited March 14, 2015 by triterp80

[NikLR 13,227]

Sometimes if you can't sign in it is because a fee is being invoiced.

Have you read the NVC process wiki? http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

[triterp80 1]

NLR - Thanks for the response and the great suggestion to check out the NVC process wiki. I read it thoroughly and I found the section that you may be referencing:

Note: if you're getting an error 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…" or "This case is in the process of termination. Fee payments and online forms can no longer be accepted…" or "You cannot make online payments for your case at this time. Please contact the NVC if you have questions or need further information."),

However, these notices suggest that the case number is in the system, has been found, and the notice is related to the status of that case number.

The notice I am receiving when I log in suggests the case number cannot be found at all anywhere in the system. I hope you are correct, but it still has me worried. I suppose I will have to call them on Monday when they open and then ask them what has happened.

[triterp80 1]

Well I called the NVC today and asked why I can no longer sign into the CEAC system online. The answer was that since I had submitted my AOS packet via email, they changed my NVC case number from a GUZ prefix to a GZO prefix. He also said I must now sign in and complete the DS261 (Choice of Agent) form again and within a few days the IV fee will be invoiced.

However, I signed in successfully and saw that the DS261 shows as complete. Now I am confused again. I could complete it again but risk resetting the process or something, or I could assume it's completed and just needs a few days for the IV fee to be invoiced. Anyone know?

And, why did they change my case number? I guess I can understand the method of having different case number prefixes to identify whether the case is electronic vs. mail, but it doesn't make sense to me. First, they did not notify me of the switch (I had to call), and second, all of the instructions not only gave the option of submitting electronically but preferred it. I'm just confused as to why this has to be so difficult.

Or was it me that did something wrong?

[triterp80 1]

So I did some more research and for the benefit of others I'll include it here - though I appreciate any others' input as well.

First, the submit documents portion of the NVC instructions here explains that if the case number starts with GUZ (like mine) then you can submit via either email or mail and then it says once you select a method you cannot change it. The part that confuses me is that they don't explain that if you change methods you have to call in at the appropriate time to get your new case number. They also don't state that if you email it that your case number will actually change... at least I don't see it. Maybe if I had waited another week or so then they would have informed me though it seems problematic that they would change the case number first before informing you because it doesn't help quell confusion for those going online and signing in only to see the error message I had seen.

Second, what seems like an old post on here talks about the email process and that certain case number prefixes will result in a change in case number if emailed. That is here

I've also pasted the relevant info (red font added for emphasis). Not sure if there is a more current version of this on the site somewhere.

Errata

• Montreal Filers - your case number does not change.
• Guangzhou Filers - your case number will change. If you cannot log in to the payment portal using the GUZ case number, try again with the GZO casenumber.
• Guangzhou filers - DO NOT SEND IN the I-864 or DS-230 UNTIL you have the GZO casenumber. Once you have the GZO #, log in again at the portal, print the coversheets and receipts, and bundle them up with the proper set. There MIGHT still be a GUZ # in the receipt, and thats OK.
• Guangzhou Filers - YOU CAN SLIP IN more relationship evidence (read the I-130 instructions, la) when you submit the DS-230 - it's OK - it's allowed, no worries there - so - if you haven't YET submitted yer relationship evidence - DS-230 submittal time is the last possible moment you have - to ensure an VO in GUZ reviews it prior to interview day.

Edited March 16, 2015 by triterp80

[Ryan H 3,812]

I detailed my entire experience here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/327561-my-ep-experience/

It was different when I was doing it; however, I was able to insert updates as the process has changed.