CEMAR submitted via CEAC?

[CadeMcNown 38]

Hello. We're preparing for the DS 260, and I'm wondering if we need to send the CEMAR with the other documents via CEAC? It's a CR-1 Visa application and we're specifically wondering if we need it before the interview - as in scanned and submitted to NVC with the other supporting documents. We don't have it yet, but it was ordered a week or 2 ago. This is what we were thinking we need scanned at this stage:

 

Petitioner:

IRS Tax Transcripts (last 3 years)

 

Applicant:

Passport

Birth Certificate (PSA)

NBI Clearance (multi-purpose)
Marriage Certificate (PSA)

CEMAR (PSA) ???

 

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Philippines regional forum to IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures.

[pushbrk 12,106]

5 hours ago, CadeMcNown said:

Hello. We're preparing for the DS 260, and I'm wondering if we need to send the CEMAR with the other documents via CEAC? It's a CR-1 Visa application and we're specifically wondering if we need it before the interview - as in scanned and submitted to NVC with the other supporting documents. We don't have it yet, but it was ordered a week or 2 ago. This is what we were thinking we need scanned at this stage:

 

Petitioner:

IRS Tax Transcripts (last 3 years)

 

Applicant:

Passport

Birth Certificate (PSA)

NBI Clearance (multi-purpose)
Marriage Certificate (PSA)

CEMAR (PSA) ???

 

Unless something has changed very recently, you still file documents by mail, for Manila cases.  Send it all at once, along with the I-864 and a recent pay stub, and a passport photo of the Filipino spouse. (in addition to what you list above)

Edited August 3, 2018 by pushbrk

[CadeMcNown 38]

4 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Unless something has changed very recently, you still file documents by mail, for Manila cases.  Send it all at once, along with the I-864 and a recent pay stub, and a passport photo of the Filipino spouse. (in addition to what you list above)

It seems it has changed very recently. The first time I called NVC they told me to use option 5 (ceac only). Will it hurt anything to send over everything except the CEMAR? If they need it I'd get the checklist I'm guessing, but is that slower than just waiting for the CEMAR to arrive? It could take 2-3 weeks they said and we just ordered it last weekend.

[pushbrk 12,106]

5 hours ago, CadeMcNown said:

It seems it has changed very recently. The first time I called NVC they told me to use option 5 (ceac only). Will it hurt anything to send over everything except the CEMAR? If they need it I'd get the checklist I'm guessing, but is that slower than just waiting for the CEMAR to arrive? It could take 2-3 weeks they said and we just ordered it last weekend.

I would wait but it's really 6 to one, half dozen to the other.

[waterdog 10]

15 hours ago, CadeMcNown said:

Hello. We're preparing for the DS 260, and I'm wondering if we need to send the CEMAR with the other documents via CEAC? It's a CR-1 Visa application and we're specifically wondering if we need it before the interview - as in scanned and submitted to NVC with the other supporting documents. We don't have it yet, but it was ordered a week or 2 ago. This is what we were thinking we need scanned at this stage:

 

Petitioner:

IRS Tax Transcripts (last 3 years)

 

Applicant:

Passport

Birth Certificate (PSA)

NBI Clearance (multi-purpose)
Marriage Certificate (PSA)

CEMAR (PSA) ???

 

I just sent everything to CEAC but the Cemar and had no problems. I would definatley take it to the interview.

[CadeMcNown 38]

Great, thanks for the help. I'll try then without and update this thread with the results.

[pushbrk 12,106]

13 hours ago, waterdog said:

I just sent everything to CEAC but the Cemar and had no problems. I would definatley take it to the interview.

Maybe, but you may well receive a checklist asking for it before any interview is scheduled.  Let us know how that works out, OK?

[Hank_ 9,173]

On 8/2/2018 at 8:20 PM, pushbrk said:

Unless something has changed very recently, you still file documents by mail, for Manila cases.  Send it all at once, along with the I-864 and a recent pay stub, and a passport photo of the Filipino spouse. (in addition to what you list above)

Something has changed.

[pushbrk 12,106]

8 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Something has changed.

So, are you saying your letter for Manila included the words "online processing"?

[waterdog 10]

28 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

So, are you saying your letter for Manila included the words "online processing"?

Yes, the letter I got told me to log on to Ceac and upload all my documents.

[Hank_ 9,173]

32 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

So, are you saying your letter for Manila included the words "online processing"?

Yes  

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/after-petition-approved/begin-nat-visa-center/ceac-electronic-processing.html

[CadeMcNown 38]

For what it's worth, NVC gave case complete without CEMAR uploaded. We'll just bring to interview.

[CadeMcNown 38]

One more update. Got visa interview scheduled and never any complaint about missing CEMAR. We will just bring it to the interview. Seems safe to say it's not needed at NVC document upload via CEAC.

[CadeMcNown 38]

Hello, I know there's a million topics on form 221g, but I can't find anything specific to our case.

 

We got approved at the interview with 221g request for CENOMAR (Philippines required form). We never uploaded it to CEAC during NVC stage, but we did bring the original document and copies to the interview. Still, they wanted it uploaded and said they would return the original document and then we could scan, upload, and mail back for free via courier.

 

This is where I'm a bit confused. We convinced the lady there to keep the original and just let us upload (we already scanned previously, but could not upload since it was CC already). We thought this would save some time, but she said she would just keep our file on her desk for the day and check back later to see if the file is uploaded. How do we know when they can see the file? It just says "Uploaded" on CEAC, but the other files are "Accepted". Does this mean the NVC needs to approve it first, or can the embassy already see the file?

 

My main fear is that they will wait until they receive the file in the mail to process it, but they never will get it in the mail because we left it with this them already. What do we do if it's not processing? Get a new form and re-upload/submit then mail it in?