This process is not for the faint of heart...🥺

On 7/21/2017 at 5:45 AM, Nazokat said:

2017 CEAC system available

The CEAC system has been updated with the case data. Interestingly this was made available at the exactly the same date as last year, and the year before.

This confirms my suspicion that there is a logic switch to only make the 2017 data available from 2017 (in pseudo code, show DV year data where year <= year extracted from sysdate). This is really BIZARRE programming – and as I have stated before the US government really needs some help on their IT side!!!

Anyway – a recap for those that are not aware of what the CEAC data is. CEAC is a government database/web page that allows people to enter their case number and get some basic status information. The site can be access at this link and you can enter the case number without leading zeros. So – if your number is 2017AF00012345, you would enter that as 2017AF12345. If you enter a real case (not a “hole”) a window pops up with some basic case status information. From this, for cases which are scheduled,  we can see the number of derivatives on each case, the embassy, the original entry date, last updated date and so on.

 

So what do the status codes mean.

The first status for every case is “AT NVC”. You can ignore the text on the case – the case has not been passed to NVC.  What this status means is that the case is in one of the following situations.

1. The case is not yet current.
2. The case is current, BUT the DS260 has not be submitted at all, or it was submitted but not processed yet – and therefore not scheduled.
3. The case is current, the form is processed, but it is waiting to be scheduled (typically because the cases have not yet been sent to the embassies yet).

“In Transit”

This status is shown for a brief period when KCC has scheduled the interview, and transferred the case to the embassy. However, the embassy has not yet updated CEAC to acknowledge they have received the case.

“READY”

This is the next status after in transit. It means the case has arrived at the embassy for interview. Sometimes a case will continue to show ready even after the interview.

“Issued”

Pretty obviously – this is the status we all want to see! The interview took place, was successful and the visa has been approved/issued.

“Refused”

This is the status no one wants to see, meaning the interview took place and the selectee was denied. A derivative can be refused, while the principal is approved. However, if the principal is refused – all the derivatives are refused also – even if the embassy fails to update CEAC.

“Administrative Processing”

This is when someone did not have all the documents at the interview OR some additional checks are needed before the case can be adjudicated. AP can last a few days or several months. The status updates during that time are meaningless.

Derivative number.

For cases that are scheduled we can see the related derivative numbers. Case 01 is the principal and derivatives are case 02, 03 and so on.

Are you sure that all cases are refused because the principal states so? My derivative 02 states ready. My K1 fiance was told the medical had not been received and he was instructed to submit additional proof of relationship at the interview 2 weeks ago. The data was just sent today so they don't have all the pieces to make a final call.

Update...

I realized the error of my ways.  I was trying to create his profile on the wrong page.  I was on the non-immigrant page (purple page) instead the immigrant page (green page).  I guess that is what happens when you're doing this for the second time and you and your fiance have been together for 7 years.  You get a little anxious.  I hope this helps someone.  

Has anyone had any recent issues with creating a profile on the ais.usvisa website for Jamaica.  My fiance just recently completed the DS 160 and now I want to create a profile for him on this website so that I can pay the necessary fees then schedule the medical and embassy interview.  This issue is so simple yet so HUGE.  I am able to complete each line of the form except for the VISA CLASS section.  That section lists every type of visa that you can apply for from A-Z EXCEPT the K1 fiance visa.  In fact it skip over K1, K2 and K3.  The list goes from J1 and 2 to L1 and2.  Does this not appear in the drop down because there are no more appointments for the month of June?  Has anyone any experience with this?  Please help.  Also, I did send an email to tech support.

I was scrolling through this post and found that your story has many similarities to mine. Reading it has been very helpful and I want to thank you. I pray that you and your finance's issue get resolved soon as do I pray for my own. In my case I'm waiting for some documents from the Jamaican government so that we can submit them to the embassy and of course Jamaica is taking forever. In the meantime I'm afraid the medical will expire. Is it official that they expire after 6 months?

Hi VJ family. Let me keep it real my fiancé is an awesome guy and just like everyone here we deserve to be together but like all people he is not perfect. His police record has one blemish on it. He wasn't convicted of anything and has never been to jail but the record is not spotless. There is only one incident from 2 or 3 years ago, does anyone know from experience if this will pose a major issue at our upcoming interview? We have done everything asked of us, paid so much money along the way, and have spent too much time apart, I just can't take disappointment. Somebody give me some real talk.. Thanks.

Congratulations!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Not having the parents name on the birth certificate can be a frustrating and time consuming situation. You will need to visit the Registrar General's Department in Kingston to get a late registration form or father's particulars form. The parents will need to complete forms, you will have to have them witnessed by a JP. If the parents cannot appear with you in Kingston, you will need to bring their IDs. If the parents are deceased you will need death certificates and maybe even birth certificates of other siblings and/or primary school and baptismal records with your patent's and your name on it to prove they are indeed your parents. This will all be done with a fee, of course. I know this first hand because my fiancé and I just completed this process and his name nor his father's name was on the birth records when he went to get the "new" Jamaica birth certificate to apply for the Caricom passport. It took about month but with prayer and patience, we survived. Good luck, you can do it!!

My fiance and I continue to jump through flaming hoops as we navigate this K1 visa process with Jamaica. We finally got an official corrected birth certificate and passport so we could complete the ds-160 and schedule the interview. The interview dates available only gives us 2 weeks to get the medical exam and to start checking off the list. No problem right? Wrong! WTH is an impediment to marriage certificate?! He is divorced and has the decree absolute to prove it. Does anyone know if the impediment to marriage certificate is really necessary? Please advise. Thanks VJ fam.

I had to request my packet 3 by email also. The information on it is contradictory. Step 2 states to register online, pay the online $265 fee then schedule the interview, but the last instruction on Step 4 states to pay the $265 visa fee at the embassy on the day of the interview. Can anyone clarify this for me, are these 2 separate fees?

My fiancé and I received our approved 129-F that is set to expire on 10/28/15. We had a major set back because he needed to renew his passport before completing the DS-160 then scheduling the interview. In order to renew his passport he had to get the new updated birth certificate that Jamaica now requires. After many weeks of run around, miscommunication and flat out misleads given to him while trying to get the new birth certificate he found out the last birth certificate issued to him in 1991 was incorrect. It was missing two of his given three middle names and had the wrong birthdate. So basically he has been going for 41 years thinking that his birthday was August 9th but just learned that in fact he was born on August 11th. Meanwhile, all of the submitted paper work has the birth date of August 9th. What are we supposed to do? The plan was to get the expedited passport so that we can complete the DS 160 then schedule the interview. Should we just go ahead with that plan and then bring all of the supporting information to the interview then explain at that time? Help, anyone please. Thank you.

Hi, is there any way you can contact them by phone? If you could talk to a live person, I think you might get better answers. If anything I would try to call NVC to know if they would know anything about since you have to fill the DS160 on their site. Good luck, and you can keep us posted

Thanks for the response. I actually called USCIS and NVC the both directed me to call the Consulate in Jamaica and so I did. I got someone on the phone in Jamaica who told me to email my issue then wait 5 business days for a response. It's been over a week now. I'm going to call again tomorrow. Will keep you guys notified.

So the petition can only be extended if you have an interview? I'm asking because my fiancé and I need an extension. Our petition expires at the end of October but we cannot schedule an interview yet because he cannot complete the online DS-160 form because he doesn't have an updated passport. He can't get the passport because he is having an issue with his birth certificate. I've emailed the consulate in Jamaica twice over the last 2 weeks and no response. What can we do?

Thank you very much.

I'm in the states and my fiancé is in Jamaica. Can I start the DS-160 form for him and then he completes and signs it electronically?

Based on the fact you have not received a paper NOA2 yet, I can't say for certain if your case has reached the NVC.

Eventually you may also receive a notice from the NVC stating they have sent the case to the embassy... but they are very slow about that.

You can call 603-334-0700. This is the NVC's immigrant line. It's not toll free and you can expect to be put on hold for a lengthy amount of time if you get through. They are open from 7am to 12am EST. It's often best to try right before they open to get in the queue. If the case is there, you'll answer some questions and they'll give you the new case number. If it is not there, they will tell you to try again in 30 days.. but you can call them as much as you'd like. When you receive the number you can put it into CEAC to find out if it has reached the embassy yet. It will say ''ready'' when it is. https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Depending on what embassy your fiancé is using will depend on if they receive a notice in the mail, which describes their next steps.. which would be having a medical, filling out the DS160, and any other consulate specific forms.

Thank you for such a prompt response. This information clarifies some things for me and I did receive the paper NOA2 so I hope the case has reached the NVC. Thanks again.

About 2 weeks ago I received an email stating that my case was sent to NVC. I haven't heard anything since. When do I get my case number? Will it come via mail? What should I prepare my fiancé to do now? When can he begin the online DS-160 form? Can he only fill that out after the case number has been given or after he receives a packet from the embassy in his country?

I would really appreciate if someone out their could help me. Thank you.

I know that it said originals but I actually called the National Customer Service Center and couldn't get a simple straight answer. I need to calm down and just fill out the forms. LOL! Thanks!!!!

Can someone clarify for me what "original" means? I'm putting together the I-129f packet and I need to know if I should have the actual signed copies by my fiance of the G-325 form and the Fiance letter of intent or can I use a scanned version? It's a little unclear to me or should I have assumed that I need to have the originals mailed to me from Jamaica? Please don't laugh at me but I'm so nervous about making sure this packet is perfect that I may be missing the obvious.

Thanks.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

OMG you live in Bowie, right around the corner from me, I'm in Ft. Washington.

I know!! I saw that too. Howdy neighbor! Thank you so much for extending yourself to give a helping hand. I really will reach out to you if ever in need durng this process. I'm a little scared but soon come.

Likkle more!!

Congratulations!! You give me so much hope. I haven't even started the process but I think the first step will be started in June 2014. Good luck. I hope things come through real soon.