What to do next after getting case number and invoice ID from NVC through public inquiry

[Ethan G 3]

I'm trying to figure out when we can starting filling the DS-160 and any other documentation. Do you have to wait until the case reaches the foreign embassy and you get a welcome letter from the foreign embassy saying they are ready? I thought you could fill it when you get a case number from NVC, but here's my issue...

 

• I kept reaching out to NVC via their public inquiry and they finally told me that they got my petition from USCIS and they gave me my case number and invoice ID. However, when I go to CEAC login, after entering those two pieces of information I simply get a generic page about the k-1 visa: "K visas are nonimmigrant visas that assist spouses or future spouses of American citizens in entering the United States. As with all nonimmigrant visa applicants, a DS-160 must be filled out in order for a consular section to process the case." and there's an OK button at the bottom of that page. Not helpful. Doesn't log me into anything specific to me. And If I try to check my status in CEAC via their status check page, I run into a different issue: If I choose NON-IMMIGRANT visa type, I get "Invalid Application ID or Case Number." If I choose IMMIGRANT visa type, I get "Your search did not return any data." Is that because they haven't sent it to the foreign embassy yet? Or it hasn't finished being registered in their system? I'm not sure.

 

I see that I could go start filling in the DS-160 application online, but if I'm understanding my research correctly, I think that's a bad idea until I officially get told to do that.

 

I'm just not understanding the timing. I know that I have to be patient, but I also don't want to be sitting around waiting when I could've been working on documentation. So what are my next steps, if any?

 

Additional info:

• In their email response to my public inquiry, NVC said "Due to your petition type, you will not receive a request for fee payment or document submission." That really confuses me. I'm 100% sure my fiance has to fill out a DS-160, so does that just mean that I myself won't be asked to submit any documents? I don't know why their communication is so unclear to me.
• Also, they said "All case parties will be notified when this petition is forwarded to the assigned U.S. Embassy/Consulate General." So that leads me to believe I should just keep waiting I guess.

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Ethan G

[JeanneAdil 7,425]

so, you have the new KMP xxxxxxxxxxx mumber for Uganda embassy

 

fiancee can fill out the ds 160 anytime now and keep the confirmation page as that is needed to take to medical exam and interview

What you need to wait for is scheduling the medical exam till a few weeks before the interview as the medical expires in 6 months and is the date of the visa if approved

how interview is scheduled varies embassy to embassy so refer to the email you will receive for a better understanding

you should get email telling you how to pay the fee -that varies from embassy to embassy 

 

meanwhile you may not have interview till after 15th of April so fill out tax returns ASAP 

you could need 2024 if interview is prior to april tax date so get iRS transcript of those 

[mitzab 367]

In our case (islamabad) our green light was the email that “Your petition has been forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad" 

 

once we saw that and the upate on CEAC thats when we started making our moves, we had to make a payment and then work on the DS160 if I remember correctly, please note as JeanneAdil mentioned that the processes vary embassy by embassy. 

 

if I may suggest, get on the forum of the embassy you are going to be dealing with and start understanding their process (again EVERY EMBASSY WORKS DIFFERENT), it really helps going through other peoples experiences and once you have base knowledge hopefully you will be able to make the right decisions. 

 

All the best on your journey, you are almost there. 

 

 

[J.M. 357]

For CEAC status for K-1, select immigrant visa.  If you don't get a result using your new case number and filling in all the fields, try using "NA" in the passport and name fields.  Some people have had success doing that recently.

 

The DS-160 is pretty lengthy.  You can work on it and save your progress as you move through it.  I would fully complete it but not sign and submit it until your case is "ready."  It is valid for a year after submission.