Delaying / Postponing Your Case At NVC

[M+L 2]

Just want to relay NVC's reply here in case others are curious in the future: (I did an online enquiry asking for more time)

 

"To Whom it Concerns:

 

Thank you for contacting the National Visa Center (NVC). To keep your case active, do not let more than one year go by without contacting the NVC.

 

The easiest way to keep your case active is to access the Consular Electronic Center (CEAC) at https://ceac.state.gov/iv. Every time you go into your CEAC account, it will update the last contact date."

[seekingthetruth 1,255]

1 hour ago, M+L said:

Just want to relay NVC's reply here in case others are curious in the future: (I did an online enquiry asking for more time)

 

"To Whom it Concerns:

 

Thank you for contacting the National Visa Center (NVC). To keep your case active, do not let more than one year go by without contacting the NVC.

 

The easiest way to keep your case active is to access the Consular Electronic Center (CEAC) at https://ceac.state.gov/iv. Every time you go into your CEAC account, it will update the last contact date."

I think that is the exact message I got.  Standard copy / paste probably.

 

However, I agree with Family that to protect yourself, do something concrete that will record your attempt to contact them with date/time.  So, if it turns out that they "lost" something, you have proof.

[Family 4,291]

22 hours ago, seekingthetruth said:

I think that is the exact message I got.  Standard copy / paste probably.

 

However, I agree with Family that to protect yourself, do something concrete that will record your attempt to contact them with date/time.  So, if it turns out that they "lost" something, you have proof.

I will add ( indulge me if I’m repeating myself ) .😂..In case one misses the contact year 1, 2 or even 3..it is very easy to get case re-opened

Simply do an ASK NVC request and plead for reinstatement due to unforeseen circumstances..no internet /no computer ( digital divide is real )  loss of access to email . health /financial hardship ..or describe your particular hardship .
They have never required anything more than the email .

 

[bigtinmass 0]

Hi,

     My wife is planning to delay my step-daughter's F2B visa process.  The Priority Date is 12/29/2015 while the Final Action Date is 11/22/2015.

You mentioned that the case will be be kept active/open if one contact the NVC before the 1 year expiration. . My questions are:

1. How many times/years one can delay it annually? Is there a limit?

2. Will the original Priority Date be kept current or it got updated or changed every time when contacting the NVC to delay it for another year?

     Thank you.

[kshoemoney 5]

I have a clarifying question to this thread...

 

If you would like to delay your case but, as you say, you must pay your fees and submit your DS260 within one year of welcome letter, how do you prevent the case from being sent to the Consulate after submitting your DS260? I was under the impression that after DS260 submission the case automatically gets sent do the next stage. Does simply using AskNVC stop them from processing your DS260 and sending off your case?

 

Also, if we are IR1/CR1 do we still have to submit DS260 within one year, or is this just for preference categories (F2A, F2B) as stated above?

[milimelo 4,832]

9 hours ago, kshoemoney said:

I have a clarifying question to this thread...

 

If you would like to delay your case but, as you say, you must pay your fees and submit your DS260 within one year of welcome letter, how do you prevent the case from being sent to the Consulate after submitting your DS260? I was under the impression that after DS260 submission the case automatically gets sent do the next stage. Does simply using AskNVC stop them from processing your DS260 and sending off your case?

 

Also, if we are IR1/CR1 do we still have to submit DS260 within one year, or is this just for preference categories (F2A, F2B) as stated above?

Deadlines are the same for every category. How to stop it from being sent? Delay paying the DS-260 and any other payments until either a month before 1-yr deadline. Don't be so fast in submitting the required paperwork - without it, NVC will not documentarily qualify you - no DQ, no interview except in some special cases (problems with obtaining papers, or back and forth on if the sponsor qualifies). 

[Beeptweet 1]

On 4/19/2022 at 9:11 AM, seekingthetruth said:

This has been discussed many times but I never saw an official answer to it.  I contacted NVC, told them our situation (I-130 approved, but need to delay for a year or two due to shipping costs, housing costs, etc.) and asked what is the proper way to postpone our case at NVC.  This is their answer.  Passing it along.

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

 

Thank you for contacting the National Visa Center (NVC). To keep your case active, do not let more than one year go by without contacting the NVC.

 

The easiest way to keep your case active is to access the Consular Electronic Center (CEAC) at https://ceac.state.gov/iv. Every time you go into your CEAC account, it will update the last contact date.

 

Regards,

 

Romeo | Inquiry Management

Department of State CA/VO/DO/NVC

LDRM | Lockwood Hills | Contractor

DOS - National Visa Center

 

So, it appears:

-  No need to call

-  No need to upload a document

 

Just login.

 

Reminder:  The DS 260 does need to be submitted within 1 year

 

Update below

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I finally had some time and wrote up a clear (hopefully) summary, perhaps for a pinned post.  If you want to ask the admins and they agree to pin it, I will make a new topic with it.  Just my way of giving a bit back to VJ, with the help of Family!

 

Proposal for pinned post

 

Topic:  Need to delay your case at NVC?  Here is the BEST way!

 

After my wife and stepdaughter were approved by USCIS, we received the welcome letters from NVC. We later realized that we are going to have to postpone getting the visas and moving to the U.S.  The delay might be one year, two years, or longer.  We don’t want to lose the fees we paid and start all over, so we are delaying.

 

I asked here on VJ about how to delay and got good advice from several members.  I also asked NVC via the AskNVC web portal.  The advice can be slightly confusing, so I am sharing what I have learned.

 

Please note:  This only applies to cases that are at NVC.  After your case goes to the embassy, this no longer applies.

 

Facts:

1. NVC will keep your case open indefinitely if you contact them once a year.
2. NVC has been known to mistakenly close cases even though there was contact within the required window.  It is up to you to prove that you contacted them by providing contact evidence.
3. Regardless of delaying, your DS 260 must be submitted to NVC within one year of your NVC welcome letter.
   1. There are three options to contact NVC and keep your delayed case open.By phone.  Downsides:  Long waits, might be expensive, and you have no paper trail of your contact.
   2. Log into your CEAC account.  Downsides:  This does not work for cases that were submitted by mail, and you have no paper trail of your contact.
   3. Use the AskNVC web portal.  Only a simple message is required, such as “I need more time for our case.  This is my record of annual NVC contact.”  Upside:  You will receive an immediate automated e-mail record of your contact with NVC including all the communication detail.  In the e-mail, it states: “Please retain this email as a record of your contact with NVC”.

AskNVC is the BEST option.  Just logging into your CEAC account does not provide the safety of having a paper trail of your contact.  Logging in does not work for non-electronic cases filed by mail.  Keep your NVC automated responses and perhaps keep a tickler file to remind you when to send another annual contact at AskNVC.

 

AskNVC:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

 

I hope this information will help others who need to safely delay their cases at NVC.

 

Are you also delaying the case at the moment?

l would be in the same situation.

 

Thank you for sharing.

On 4/19/2022 at 9:11 AM, seekingthetruth said:

This has been discussed many times but I never saw an official answer to it.  I contacted NVC, told them our situation (I-130 approved, but need to delay for a year or two due to shipping costs, housing costs, etc.) and asked what is the proper way to postpone our case at NVC.  This is their answer.  Passing it along.

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

 

Thank you for contacting the National Visa Center (NVC). To keep your case active, do not let more than one year go by without contacting the NVC.

 

The easiest way to keep your case active is to access the Consular Electronic Center (CEAC) at https://ceac.state.gov/iv. Every time you go into your CEAC account, it will update the last contact date.

 

Regards,

 

Romeo | Inquiry Management

Department of State CA/VO/DO/NVC

LDRM | Lockwood Hills | Contractor

DOS - National Visa Center

 

So, it appears:

-  No need to call

-  No need to upload a document

 

Just login.

 

Reminder:  The DS 260 does need to be submitted within 1 year

 

Update below

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I finally had some time and wrote up a clear (hopefully) summary, perhaps for a pinned post.  If you want to ask the admins and they agree to pin it, I will make a new topic with it.  Just my way of giving a bit back to VJ, with the help of Family!

 

Proposal for pinned post

 

Topic:  Need to delay your case at NVC?  Here is the BEST way!

 

After my wife and stepdaughter were approved by USCIS, we received the welcome letters from NVC. We later realized that we are going to have to postpone getting the visas and moving to the U.S.  The delay might be one year, two years, or longer.  We don’t want to lose the fees we paid and start all over, so we are delaying.

 

I asked here on VJ about how to delay and got good advice from several members.  I also asked NVC via the AskNVC web portal.  The advice can be slightly confusing, so I am sharing what I have learned.

 

Please note:  This only applies to cases that are at NVC.  After your case goes to the embassy, this no longer applies.

 

Facts:

1. NVC will keep your case open indefinitely if you contact them once a year.
2. NVC has been known to mistakenly close cases even though there was contact within the required window.  It is up to you to prove that you contacted them by providing contact evidence.
3. Regardless of delaying, your DS 260 must be submitted to NVC within one year of your NVC welcome letter.
   1. There are three options to contact NVC and keep your delayed case open.By phone.  Downsides:  Long waits, might be expensive, and you have no paper trail of your contact.
   2. Log into your CEAC account.  Downsides:  This does not work for cases that were submitted by mail, and you have no paper trail of your contact.
   3. Use the AskNVC web portal.  Only a simple message is required, such as “I need more time for our case.  This is my record of annual NVC contact.”  Upside:  You will receive an immediate automated e-mail record of your contact with NVC including all the communication detail.  In the e-mail, it states: “Please retain this email as a record of your contact with NVC”.

AskNVC is the BEST option.  Just logging into your CEAC account does not provide the safety of having a paper trail of your contact.  Logging in does not work for non-electronic cases filed by mail.  Keep your NVC automated responses and perhaps keep a tickler file to remind you when to send another annual contact at AskNVC.

 

AskNVC:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

 

I hope this information will help others who need to safely delay their cases at NVC.

 

Are you also delaying the case at the moment?

l would be in the same situation.

 

Thank you for sharing.

[seekingthetruth 1,255]

7 hours ago, Sidd.W said:

Are you also delaying the case at the moment?

l would be in the same situation.

 

Thank you for sharing.

Are you also delaying the case at the moment?

l would be in the same situation.

 

Thank you for sharing.

Yes, still on hold, 2+ years.  I just log in to NVC once in a while.  I keep a log of the logins, to keep track,

[peterli87 0]

On 7/24/2024 at 7:05 AM, seekingthetruth said:

Yes, still on hold, 2+ years.  I just log in to NVC once in a while.  I keep a log of the logins, to keep track,

 

On 6/15/2024 at 10:56 PM, milimelo said:

Deadlines are the same for every category. How to stop it from being sent? Delay paying the DS-260 and any other payments until either a month before 1-yr deadline. Don't be so fast in submitting the required paperwork - without it, NVC will not documentarily qualify you - no DQ, no interview except in some special cases (problems with obtaining papers, or back and forth on if the sponsor qualifies). 

 

thank you guys! 
 

I’m still a bit confused about the DS-260. I got welcome letter 9 months ago and want to delay my case for a few years.

Do I just do the “login/get delay confirmation via AskNVC”

or do I also need to do the DS-260? 

If the DS-260 is needed within one year, do I fully pay and submit the entire DS-260

….or just fully pay + delay submitting all documents?

 

Im really unsure how to properly delay the process. 

Much appreciate your input! 

 

Edited December 9, 2024 by peterli87
added more info

[peterli87 0]

On 7/24/2024 at 7:05 AM, seekingthetruth said:

Yes, still on hold, 2+ years.  I just log in to NVC once in a while.  I keep a log of the logins, to keep track,

Did you submit the DS 260? Any help is appreciated!

 

I dont find the requirement anywhere, where it says that DS 260 is required to keep case active. Very confusing.

 

I received the welcome letter 11 months ago and just contacted them. 

 

All it says on NVC timeframes is the following, nothing about DS 260:

 

One Year Contact Requirement

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(g) provides that the Secretary of State shall terminate the registration (petition) of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year of notice of visa availability. The petition may be reinstated if, within two years of notice of visa availability, the alien establishes that the failure to apply was for reasons beyond the alien’s control. Therefore if you do not respond to notices from the NVC within one year you risk termination of your petition under this section of law and would lose the benefits of that petition, such as your priority date.

[Crazy Cat 45,248]

3 hours ago, peterli87 said:

I dont find the requirement anywhere, where it says that DS 260 is required to keep case active.

Not required.

[seekingthetruth 1,255]

On 4/3/2025 at 3:16 PM, peterli87 said:

Did you submit the DS 260? Any help is appreciated!

 

On 4/3/2025 at 6:52 PM, Crazy Cat said:

Not required.

 

I had filed the DS 260 before I decided to postpone.  I believe Crazy Cat is correct.

[SamuelTheKitty 1]

On 4/3/2025 at 5:52 AM, Crazy Cat said:

Not required.

I'm in a similar boat now. I'm at NVC, have paid my fees, and have largely filled out, but not submitted, the DS-260. I would like to delay the process for a 1-4 year period. My intention is to log in monthly and submit to AskNVC every six months to maintain contact.

 

Is there a reference or body of anecdotal evidence that indicates that withholding submission of the DS-260 past one year will have no adverse effect regarding termination of a case provided the actions above are taken?

[Crazy Cat 45,248]

5 minutes ago, SamuelTheKitty said:

I'm in a similar boat now. I'm at NVC, have paid my fees, and have largely filled out, but not submitted, the DS-260. I would like to delay the process for a 1-4 year period. My intention is to log in monthly and submit to AskNVC every six months to maintain contact.

 

Is there a reference or body of anecdotal evidence that indicates that withholding submission of the DS-260 past one year will have no adverse effect regarding termination of a case provided the actions above are taken?

There is VJ history.  There are members who have delayed cases at NVC for a few years by contacting NVC periodically.

[appleblossom 4,869]

32 minutes ago, SamuelTheKitty said:

Is there a reference or body of anecdotal evidence that indicates that withholding submission of the DS-260 past one year will have no adverse effect regarding termination of a case provided the actions above are taken?

 

"I would like to contact NVC to keep my immigrant case active.

 

• To keep your case active, do not let more than one year pass without contacting NVC.  To do so, you can submit fees and/or documents through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC),  https://ceac.state.gov/iv.  Each time you access your case in CEAC, your contact date will be updated.  If one year passes from the last date of contact with NVC, all submitted fees, forms and documents will expire, and your case will begin the pre-termination process. 

• You do not need to contact NVC to keep your case active if you have received notification your case is documentarily complete."

From this page - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing/helpful-hints-iv-processing.html