NVC “First Termination Letter” after long visa backlog – CEAC locked, submitted inquiry, what next?

[SimAsh 1]

Hello everyone,

 

I’m looking for guidance from anyone who has dealt with a similar NVC situation.

 

I am a U.S. citizen and filed an immigrant visa petition for my brother. Our case details are as follows:

 

• NVC case created: December 2020
• Notice of Immigrant Visa Case Creation received: January 2023
• Visa category: Family‑based (backlogged with long priority date wait)

 

When we first received the NVC notice in 2023, we were instructed to log into CEAC to pay fees and submit documents. However, at that time the fee and document buttons were grayed out, and we later learned this was due to visa unavailability / priority date not being current. Because of this, we did not submit fees or documents and were waiting for further notice once a visa became available.

Fast‑forward to April 15, 2026, we unexpectedly received an email from NVC titled “First Termination Letter.” The letter states that a visa number is now available and references INA §203(g), giving us one year to take action before the case is terminated.

The letter instructs us to log into CEAC to restart the case. However, when we try to log in, CEAC displays a message saying that:

fee payments and online forms can no longer be accepted because the case has been inactive for over one year.

CEAC tells us to contact NVC, so we immediately submitted a Public Inquiry Form requesting reactivation of the case and reopening of CEAC access. We attached the termination notice and supporting documentation.

Right now, we are waiting for NVC to respond.

My questions:

1. Has anyone successfully had an NVC case reopened after receiving a “First Termination Letter”?
2. Is this CEAC lockout normal while NVC reviews the inquiry?
3. Is there anything else we should be doing proactively while waiting for NVC’s response?

 

Any shared experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. This process has been long and confusing, and we want to make sure we don’t miss anything during this one‑year window.

Thank you in advance.

[appleblossom 5,967]

37 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

When we first received the NVC notice in 2023, we were instructed to log into CEAC to pay fees and submit documents. However, at that time the fee and document buttons were grayed out, and we later learned this was due to visa unavailability / priority date not being current

 

That's odd, as the Welcome Letter isn't usually sent until it's current on Table B. What is the PD and which country of birth?

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

When was the I-130 filed (Priority date)?

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

53 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

The letter states that a visa number is now available and references INA §203(g), giving us one year to take action before the case is terminated.

I don't read it like that.  They are just quoting the regulation which says you must act within a year from date visa number is available. .  They say you were previously contacted and you did not respond within a year.  What is the I-130 priority date?

Edited 42 minutes ago by Crazy Cat

[SimAsh 1]

20 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

That's odd, as the Welcome Letter isn't usually sent until it's current on Table B. What is the PD and which country of birth?

Thanks for your reply! I’m not sure which “Welcome Letter” we are referencing here, but  the first email from NVC with the case number and instructions to log into CEAC, we got that in early 2023, but the fee and document buttons were grayed out because our priority date wasn’t current.

PD - December 14, 2017. 

County of Birth - India

Edited 37 minutes ago by SimAsh

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

6 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

 

Thanks for your reply! I’m not sure which “Welcome Letter” we are referencing here, but  the first email from NVC with the case number and instructions to log into CEAC, we got that in early 2023, but the fee and document buttons were grayed out because our priority date wasn’t current.

PD - December 14, 2017. 

County of Birth - India

 

Priority Date is 2017?

Visa Bulletin May 2026:

 

Edited 35 minutes ago by Crazy Cat

[appleblossom 5,967]

Just now, SimAsh said:

 

Thanks for your reply! I’m not sure which “Welcome Letter” we are referencing here, but  the first email from NVC with the case number and instructions to log into CEAC, we got that in early 2023, but the fee and document buttons were grayed out because our priority date wasn’t current.

PD - December 14, 2017. 

County of Birth - India

 

Now I'm really confused. Is there a typo with the PD? 

[SimAsh 1]

PD(Notice of Date on form I-797C) is 14 December 2017

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

3 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

PD(Notice of Date on form I-797C) is 14 December 2017

It is way too early for a visa number to be available.  PDs for 1 November, 2006 are just now current.  Sadly, this is one thing which can never be expedited.

Edited 31 minutes ago by Crazy Cat

[SimAsh 1]

Okay, thank you. So, I take it that the notice we received is to just to keep our file/case open/active with NVC and we still have a long way to go. As currently they are only processing files for applicant who has priority date prior to 1st November 2006. Am I understanding this correct?

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

10 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

PD(Notice of Date on form I-797C) is 14 December 2017

Was he petitioned under another category (other than F4) also? 

4 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

As currently they are only processing files for applicant who has priority date prior to 1st November 2006. Am I understanding this correct?

Yes, for F4 India.

Edited 24 minutes ago by Crazy Cat

[SimAsh 1]

Yes, applicant's mother who was green card holder also applied for his son. However, mother decided to move back to India. So that petition may not be valid.

[Crazy Cat 46,463]

3 minutes ago, SimAsh said:

Yes, applicant's mother who was green card holder also applied for his son. However, mother decided to move back to India. So that petition may not be valid.

Do you know the priority date of that petition?

[SimAsh 1]

December 08, 2017 is the priority date when mother filed for as her son.

Same applicant...

I am going to confirm/looking the PD for Sister to brother file

[SimAsh 1]

Confirmed PD for Brother Sister of US Citizen is December 14, 2017