Delaying your case at NVC by never logging into CEAC

[Heinz Gardner 1]

The situation is about USA , family-based immigration Visa for brother and sister.

In 2004 a person applies for his brother.

In April 2019, NVC sent a notice "Notice of Immigrant Visa Case Creation" abroad by mail to the Principal Applicant (This is the person who is going to immigrate to the United States.). In this notice NVC says: "You need to log on to the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) at  https://ceac.state.gov/IV  to check your case status, pay any necessary fees, upload and submit documents, and read messages from NVC."

In this notice NVC also says: "IMPORTANT: If you do not log into CEAC or communicate with NVC regarding this immigrant visa case for a period of one year, by law the Department of State must terminate your visa application."

The Principal Applicant never logged on to the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) at  https://ceac.state.gov/IV.

In November 2024, NVC sent 2 notices (both notices are exactly the same):

one notice abroad by mail to the Principal Applicant, 

the other notice by mail to Petitioner (in USA)

Both notices say:

"This letter is notification that a visa number is available".

"If you do not reply to this notice withing one year of the date of this letter, your immigrant visa application will begin the termination process".

Now it is October 2025.

 

You have read all the situation. Please note that  the Principal Applicant and Petitioner:

(1) both want the Principal Applicant to immigrate to the United States,

(2) both want to keep the case open,

(3) also they do not want to lose the benefits of this petition, such as priority date.

Please suggest what the Principal Applicant or Petitioner should do now.

[milimelo 4,870]

Log into CEAC? Contact NVC and say still interested, please send CEAC link?

[appleblossom 5,141]

So just to be clear, the beneficiary doesn’t want to move now but wants the option to in the future?

 

Then they need to log in as instructed, and ideally do something to keep the case alive every year. I’d pay the fees now personally (as they may increase next year). Then next year do something else i.e. fill out the DS-260. 
 

When does the beneficiary actually want to move? Bear in mind some consulates have 1-2+ year waits for an interview so that should be factored in to the timing as well. 
 

Are there any dependent children that may age out? 

[Heinz Gardner 1]

Thanks for the replies.
appleblossom   Yes, you are right, right now the beneficiary is not in the position to move to USA, family issues. The beneficiary doesn’t  have any children, he is unmarried.
"When does the beneficiary actually want to move?" 
If things change, he would love to move tomorrow, otherwise it might take a few years.
And thanks for the point that  "some consulates have 1-2+ year waits for an interview", sure that is a good point to remember.
Right now, Logging into CEAC gives this message:
"Fee payments and online forms can no longer be accepted for this case. Previously, the NVC advised you of the necessary steps to prepare for an appointment to file a formal application for an immigrant visa. Our records indicate that to date you have not contacted the NVC in more than a year. If you wish to pursue your immigrant visa application, please contact the NVC."
So before contacting the NVC, trying to understand what is best to say to them that doesn't damage the case and priority date etc.

Edited yesterday at 02:12 PM by Heinz Gardner

[Dashinka 26,204]

4 hours ago, Heinz Gardner said:

Thanks for the replies.
appleblossom   Yes, you are right, right now the beneficiary is not in the position to move to USA, family issues. The beneficiary doesn’t  have any children, he is unmarried.
"When does the beneficiary actually want to move?" 
If things change, he would love to move tomorrow, otherwise it might take a few years.
And thanks for the point that  "some consulates have 1-2+ year waits for an interview", sure that is a good point to remember.
Right now, Logging into CEAC gives this message:
"Fee payments and online forms can no longer be accepted for this case. Previously, the NVC advised you of the necessary steps to prepare for an appointment to file a formal application for an immigrant visa. Our records indicate that to date you have not contacted the NVC in more than a year. If you wish to pursue your immigrant visa application, please contact the NVC."
So before contacting the NVC, trying to understand what is best to say to them that doesn't damage the case and priority date etc.

It is fairly simple, follow the instructions by NVC and contact them letting them know you are still interested in pursing the family based visa, so the case gets unlocked at NVC.  Then make sure you touch the case (log in at least once in a year to keep it active.

 

Good Luck!

[Heinz Gardner 1]

7 hours ago, Dashinka said:

It is fairly simple, follow the instructions by NVC and contact them letting them know you are still interested in pursing the family based visa, so the case gets unlocked at NVC.  Then make sure you touch the case (log in at least once in a year to keep it active.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you very much , That's exactly I will do now.