How long for NVC to process DS-261 and invoice the IV fee so you can pay it?

[Barry and Mila 5]

Does anyone have data on how long it takes for the NVC to process the DS-261 and invoice the IV fee so you can pay it and complete the DS-260? The wiki says "a few weeks", but that's all I can find. The time data on the site doesn't break NVC processing down into that level of detail (might be a useful addition to timelines events that users can update). Curious as to what anyone knows. Thanks!

[Moustafa/Crystal 65]

Could be a few days could be six weeks or longer....most people call the NVC to have a representative review the form over the phone. Not all of them know how to do this, so you might have to call back several times to find one that can. Ours got stuck in the system and took about five weeks before a rep "un-stuck" it for us. The good news is that the AOS/IV package review is independent of the IV fee/260...so we got our case complete about week after we submitted our 260 because had submitted the package shortly after paying the AOS fee.

[NikLR 13,227]

Normally about 30 days.

[fayriebaby 21]

If you dont have your IV fee in 2 weeks you can call NVC and ask for a over the phone review of DS-261, if they do that you can expect the invoice in 2-3 days. After the IV shows PAID now you can go ahead and do DS-260.

[j&ana 363]

Like others have mention call and have the nvc review the ds-261 over the phone.

you might have to call more then once.

keep calling eventually you will get an agent that will do that for you

Also as someone else mention you can send in your Aos and iv packets now if yoj have not already.

Nk need to wait till after the Iv fee is paid and the ds-260 visa application is done

[Barry and Mila 5]

Thank you all, this is very helpful, and frankly some of it is complete news to me. It is by no means obvious, at least to me, that the document packet can be submitted while waiting for the DS-260 to become available. If all of you say it is true, then I believe you, but that is clearly not what is specified in the letter I got from the NVC after they received our paperwork from USCIS. It clearly says 1) Choose agent , 2) Pay fees, 3) Submit visa application form, 4) Collect financial documents, 5) Collect supporting documents, and 6) Submit documents to the NVC. However, it looks like there's enough current experience here that indicates it is possible. So I'll start that.

I have *never* been able to get through to NVC on the phone. Always the same recording that due to high volume all agents are busy, please try again later. I have to wonder if they even answer the phone any more.

Further comments/replies always welcome.

[NikLR 13,227]

They do. Call either very early or rather late. They are open 7am-midnight M-F EST except federal holidays (or snow days... but snow days are past us now.)

Sometimes you have to redial 10-50 times before you finally are put through.

If you think about it, the call center is severely understaffed considering hundreds of thousands of visas are put through the NVC each year.

[Rachel23 9]

Hi, I got my ds-261 on April 22nd and I submitted it on April 14th I mean 8 days later. Yesterday April 23rd NVC sent me an email with ds-261 review, notifying the agent I chose and IV fee invoice, it doesn't show able to pay yet on ceac website but it will from monday to Wednesday I hope if it isn't I will call on Wednesday.

Forgot to say my ds-261 waa review over the phone. Good Luck u all?

[Barry and Mila 5]

Wonder of wonders! After about ten tries, I got through on the phone to NVC. I then waited on hold for about 45 minutes (twice as long as the recorded estimated wait time), but eventually Lucille came online. She was very polite, and very efficient with the information I gave her. Thanks to this thread, I knew to ask for phone review of my DS-261, and when that was done she took my email and said my IV fee should be invoiced in a few days, and then I could process my DS-260.

If any moderators are reading this thread, IMNSHO this action should be documented in the wiki and any other resource associated with IR-1/CR-1 visas. Thank you all again for your help!

[Fr3edom21 10]

Wonder of wonders! After about ten tries, I got through on the phone to NVC. I then waited on hold for about 45 minutes (twice as long as the recorded estimated wait time), but eventually Lucille came online. She was very polite, and very efficient with the information I gave her. Thanks to this thread, I knew to ask for phone review of my DS-261, and when that was done she took my email and said my IV fee should be invoiced in a few days, and then I could process my DS-260.

If any moderators are reading this thread, IMNSHO this action should be documented in the wiki and any other resource associated with IR-1/CR-1 visas. Thank you all again for your help!

Quick question if you don't mind me asking.

Have you been able to pay your IV fees yet?

I called last week on April 30th and I got an agent reviewed my wife's DS-261 over the phone, the lady agreed to to do so and she also asked me for my email address.

She said to wait a few days and I should then receive an email asking me to pay the IV fee. As of today I've hot not received such email nor I'm able to pay the IV fee.

Please advise.

Fr3edom21.

[Barry and Mila 5]

Yes, I paid my fees a few days ago, see my timeline for what happened when. Everything happened exactly as expected, based on what others have reported. My DS-260 and supporting docs are now at the NVC. Now we wait ...

[Fr3edom21 10]

Thanks Barry.

Fr3edom21.

[DeW_DrOpS 21]

Today I got Email from NVC to pay IV fees ...but as i login to the portal..it is showing $0.00....

How can i pay the fees ??? It doesnt show any 325$ fees

Any guidance will be much appreciated...

Thanks

[Barry and Mila 5]

Wait a couple of days, it will eventually show up on the portal.

[DeW_DrOpS 21]

Wait a couple of days, it will eventually show up on the portal.

Ok...Thanks for the Info....Will try again tomorrow