What to do immediately when you receive the Notice of Immigrant Visa Case Creation?

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Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only and is not an official source for the immigration process. Please consult with your immigration attorney and official channels, including the sources provided in this article, and conduct your research based on your specific situation.

This article is part 3 of the Guide to U.S. Immigration for Filipino Nationals. Please refer to the article for information about the US immigration process for Filipinos. Part 2 answers the question of what happens when the family-based petition is filed, but the alien relative with the family member’s child (unmarried) aged out when the petition was approved?

When you receive the Notice of Immigrant Visa Case Creation from the National Visa Center (NVC), this marks the beginning of the consular processing phase. Here are the immediate steps you should take:

Understanding the Notice

The Notice of Immigrant Visa Case Creation contains:

• Your NVC Case Number (starts with “MNL” for Manila cases)
• Invoice ID Number
• Priority Date
• Instructions for next steps
• Fee payment information

Immediate Action Steps (Within 30 Days)

Step 1: Create Online Account

Access the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC):

• Go to: ceac.state.gov
• Create an account using your case number and invoice ID
• This portal will be your primary interface with NVC

Step 2: Pay Required Fees Online

You must pay fees through the CEAC system:

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee:

• IV Fee: $345 per applicant
• Affidavit of Support Fee: $120 per family-based case

Payment Methods:

• Online bank transfer (ACH) – recommended
• Credit/debit card (additional processing fees may apply)

Important: Keep payment confirmation receipts – you’ll need them for your interview.

Step 3: Review Required Documents List

The NVC will provide a checklist of required documents. For Filipino applicants, this typically includes:

Civil Documents:

• PSA birth certificate (with security features)
• PSA marriage certificate (if applicable)
• PSA death certificate (if widowed)
• CENOMAR (if single)
• Divorce decree (if applicable)

Supporting Documents:

• Passport biographical pages
• Photos (2×2 inches, white background)
• Military records (if applicable)
• Police certificates

Step 4: Submit Form DS-260

Complete the Online Immigrant Visa Application:

• Access through CEAC portal
• Detailed biographical and background information
• Must be completed by principal applicant and all derivative beneficiaries
• Save frequently – the system times out after 20 minutes of inactivity

Key DS-260 Sections:

• Personal information
• Address and phone number history
• Work/education history
• Family information
• Previous U.S. travel
• Security and background questions

Document Preparation Timeline

Immediate (Week 1-2)

• Pay all required fees
• Begin gathering Philippine civil documents
• Start DS-260 application (can be saved and completed in sections)

Short-term (Week 2-8)

• Obtain PSA-issued certificates
• Get police clearances (NBI and PNP)
• Complete and submit DS-260
• Request updated Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) from U.S. sponsor

Medium-term (Month 2-4)

• Submit all documents through CEAC portal
• Wait for NVC document review
• Address any document deficiencies

Philippine-Specific Document Requirements

PSA Certificates

Order Online:

• Website: psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph
• Processing: 3-5 business days
• Cost: ₱155 per certificate
• Important: Request certificates with security features and QR codes

Police Clearances

NBI Clearance:

• Apply online: clearance.nbi.gov.ph
• Valid for 1 year
• Cost: ₱115
• Processing: 1-3 days for clean records

PNP Clearance:

• Apply at PNP headquarters or regional offices
• Valid for 1 year
• Cost: ₱100
• Processing: 3-5 working days

Document Authentication

All Philippine documents must be authenticated:

• DFA Red Ribbon or Apostille
• Cost: ₱100 per document
• Processing: 1-3 working days
• Locations: DFA main office and satellite offices

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Fee Payment Issues

• Don’t delay fee payment – this can slow down processing
• Use exact case number and invoice ID
• Keep all payment receipts

DS-260 Errors

• Double-check all dates and spellings
• Use consistent names across all documents
• Don’t leave any fields blank – use “N/A” if not applicable
• Remember you can make corrections before submission

Document Problems

• Don’t submit photocopies of Philippine documents – only PSA originals
• Ensure all documents are within validity periods
• Check that names on all documents match exactly

What Happens Next

NVC Review Process

After submitting all documents and forms:

1. Document Review: NVC reviews for completeness (30-90 days)
2. Request for Additional Documents: If anything is missing or unclear
3. Documentarily Qualified (DQ): When all requirements are met
4. Interview Scheduling: Case sent to U.S. Embassy Manila

Interview Scheduling Timeline

• After becoming DQ, wait time for interview scheduling: 2-6 months
• You’ll receive interview appointment letter via email
• Interview will be at U.S. Embassy Manila

Pro Tips for Filipino Applicants

Name Consistency

• Use legal names exactly as they appear on your passport
• If you have name variations, provide explanations
• Consider name change affidavit if significant discrepancies exist

Address History

• Philippines addresses can be complex – be as specific as possible
• Include barangay information where applicable
• Use consistent formatting throughout DS-260

Employment History

• List all employment, including overseas work
• Include OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) employment details
• Provide employer addresses and contact information

Travel History

• Include all international travel, including brief trips
• Don’t forget travel to other Asian countries
• Include approximate dates even if exact dates are unknown

Contact Information

National Visa Center

• Phone: +1 603 334-0700 (paid service)
• Email: Through CEAC messaging system only
• Public Inquiry Form: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

U.S. Embassy Manila

• Phone: +63 2 5301-2000
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000

Timeline Expectations

Typical NVC Processing for Filipino Cases:

• Fee payment and DS-260 submission: 30-60 days
• Document gathering and submission: 60-90 days
• NVC review and document qualification: 30-90 days
• Interview scheduling: 60-180 days
• Total NVC phase: 6-12 months

Red Flags to Watch For

Potential Delays

• Incomplete fee payments
• Missing or incorrect documents
• Name discrepancies across documents
• Failure to respond to NVC requests within deadlines

Security Concerns

• Long gaps in address or employment history
• Previous immigration violations
• Criminal history requiring additional documentation

Budget Considerations

Estimated Costs for NVC Phase:

• NVC fees: $465 per family
• Philippine documents: ₱2,000-₱5,000 ($35-$90)
• Authentication fees: ₱500-₱2,000 ($9-$35)
• Translation costs (if needed): ₱1,000-₱5,000 ($18-$90)
• Total estimated: $500-$700

The key to successful NVC processing is organization, attention to detail, and prompt response to all requests. Start gathering documents immediately upon receiving the notice, as obtaining Philippine civil documents can take several weeks. Keep detailed records of all submissions and maintain regular communication through the CEAC portal.