Puzzling DS260 vs DS230

As many of us know, on  Sept 3, DOS has implemented  the online  DS260 for the Application of Immigrant visa instead of the old DS230 form.. All immigrants who were required to submit DS230 form for immigrant visa application are now required to fill the DS260 form online at the CEAC site.

On my brother's case, we submitted the IV documents and DS230 on Aug 8 and was entered into their system on Aug 14. Since they did not find anything wrong on his IV application after Sept 3rd, he was not required to fill the DS260 online.But if we got a checklist for his DS230, then he would be required to fill DS260online. But, since we previously got a checklist for his AOS, I knew they will not send a second checklist. True enough his case was completed on Sept 6, 2013 with just the DS230 on their system.

While other visa applicants who are on the same stage are filling out the DS260 online eventhough there is no email instruction from NVC, we did not do it, because I believed if we filled it out, it could open the case again and will further delay the process. Some say, that the interviewing embassy might require him to fill the DS260 online during the interview. But, I think that is not a problem, he can do it right after the interview. I don't think it will take them another 20business days to review the form and to issue the visa.

F2A Case Completed 9/6/13

Sept. 6, 2013- We normally called NVC at least once or twice a week to follow-up the status of the case. This time my brother called them and told them the case was completed on Sept 6 which is exactly 16 business days from the time the IV documents was entered into their system.

On Sept 13, we got this  email(below) with the subject line of  "Case Status".

Dear Sir or Madam:

The National Visa Center has received all documentation necessary to complete pre-processing
of your case. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner
and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.

The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment
until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.

The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of
the interview. Additional documentation requirements if applicable can be referenced at
the following URL: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3742.html

Sincerely,

Director
National Visa Center

IV- Immigrant Visa Application DS230

Aug 8, 2013-  This day, we sent my brother's DS230 Form application and supporting documents. They call it IV packet. It was received by NVC on Aug 10 and was entered to their system on Aug 14 per customer service representative. We were told to wait for 20 business days to finish reviewing the IV packet.

Here are the documents inside the packet IV

*IV Barcoded Cover Sheet showing the case #
*DS230 Form- Part I was signed and dated but not Part II
*2(2x2) id pic with white background
*copy of approval notice that was sent from USCIS
*Photocopy of his(brother) passport's biographic page
*Original & Photocopy of applicant's birth certificate
*Original  & copy of NBI clearance (green color/no record on file)

Update : As of Sept. 3, 2013, the DS230 Form or the Online Immigrant Visa Application has now being replaced by the DS260 online form which can be completed at the Consular Electronic Application (CEAC) website and follow the direction on the website.

Affidavit of Support Checklist

So, on July 15, 2013 , NVC received my brother's AOS documents. But on Aug 7, we got two  checklist, I-864a for me and my husband.

When we mailed the AOS on July 15.  My Mom filled Form I-864 with letter of explanation of not filing based on zero income  and a publication from IRS. So, that was right since we did not get a checklist for hers.  As soon as I read the I-864a checklist , I knew right away that I did something wrong on my form. On the initial AOS, I submitted the wrong form. I used I-864 for myself . But NVC wants me to use I-864a because on my Mom's I-864 on Part 6, 6a &7b she used  our  income (me &husband) so on #10 of Part 6 her current annual household income is not zero.  

Anyways, we mailed the right  and corrected AOS and IV packet at the same time on Aug 8 and NVC got it on Aug 12. My brother called NVC right after they got it and they said that they just entered the IV documents on Aug 15 with the corrected AOS.  So another 20 business days to wait till completion hoping there's no other checklist.

August 2013 Visa Bulletin for F2a

So every second week of the month, the Dept of State post its monthly visa bulletin for all categories. For the month of Aug, the VB for F2a category is "Current" for all countries. Being "Current" for F2a preference rarely happened. This means a lot to family members of LPR who are legally here in the United States. Because of this, they can file to adjust status while they are here legally  in the US.  They can file  Form I-130, Form I-485  concurrently without waiting for their PD to become current.

From Dept of State website:   F2A: This category has become “Current” for August, and is expected to remain so for the next several months. This action has been taken in an effort to generate an increased level of demand. Despite the fact that there are large amounts of registered F2A demand, currently there are not enough applicants who are actively pursuing final action on their case to fully utilize all of the available numbers.

Philippine Passport Application in Davao City

July 12, 2013- This day is Saturday, and I'm surprised to learn that DFA Davao is opened on weekend (at least on Sat.) My brother told me that it's because the office is located inside SM City. This is a good thing that they are open on Saturday because some people don't have time to go to the DFA office during weekdays. Anyway, a week before this date, my brother went to DFA but was not granted application because they needed his Form 137 and voter's id or registration receipt.  He had his NSO Birth Certificate, old elementary school id and his college school ID(current) with him but that wasn't enough. He was given a checklist on what is needed besides the one that he has. So he had to come back the next week which is July 12. This time he brought his voter's registration receipt, (my sister got it from our local comelec)and baptismal certificate ( but it wasn't needed).  He didn't have his Form 137 because the school needed a written request to get it so I told him to just go ahead to the DFA and see if they will accept what you have. Luckily, this time  his application was accepted. He paid for the RUSH Processing which is supposed to be  7 working days for P1,200 according to their website.  It's already July 27, it would be 10 working days now but haven't heard anything from the DFA. He went to the  DFA SM Davao to follow-up for his passport yesterday (Sat in Ph), one of the employee told him that it is now 20 working days for express or rush processing and 35 working days for regular processing. So he has to come back next Saturday Aug. 3 to pick up his passport, hopefully they will have it this time.

Lesson learned: We should have him apply for his Passport 3 months ago to avoid this delay. But we didn't know that he will needed it this soon because we thought his petition won't be approved until next year.

For future reference, accdg. the DFA website these are the Requirements:


PASSPORT FEES:

For First time passport applicants:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Renewal of passport applicants:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Replacement of a lost expired passport:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Replacement of a lost valid passport:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

Please take note that there is an additional fee of P200.00 for a lost valid MRRP / MRP or P350.00 for a lost valid e-passport.

PASSPORT GENERAL  REQUIREMENTS:

• Personal appearance

• Confirmed appointment

• Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (Report of Birth duly authenticated by NSO if born abroad)

• No need to submit a passport size photo

• Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE IDS (At least 1 of the following):

• Government-issued picture IDs such as the following:
  • Digitized SSS ID
  • Driver’s License
  • GSIS E-card
  • PRC ID
  • IBP ID
  • OWWA ID
  • Digitized BIR ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
• Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following:
  • Old College ID
  • Alumni ID
  • Old Employment IDs

LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (At least 3 of the following):

• Voter’s ID
• NSO Marriage Contract
• Land Title
• Seaman’s Book
• Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal
• Government Service Record
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Barangay Clearance
• Old documents issued at least one year prior to date of application that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant such as the following:
  • NSO Birth Certificate of child / children
  • SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form
  • Income Tax Return
  • Voter’s Certification, List of Voters and Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, please attach receipt)
  • School Yearbook
  • Community Tax Certificate

Information About DS3032 -Choice of Agent and Address Form

Along with the DS3032 form, NVC will also send the petitioner the infomation about the Choice of Agent form. The petitioner will forward the information to the applicant for next step.

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