d_spalding

Just to close this topic: All is well, thanks to the remarkably quick response time of the consular staff in Guangzhou. The day after I sent an inquiry through their website regarding the website issue described above, they wrote to ask me for screen shots of the problem. Two days later they wrote to say they had corrected it. We logged in and could complete the online DS-260 without event. FYI: In my experience, there are no fees to pay associated with the DS-260 at the time of filing (online) or at CITIC (when related materials are sent). Fees will be collected at the consulate at the time of the interview. Now we are waiting to here from GUZ so that we may schedule the interview. Thanks for all your help and advice, D

Thanks…I reviewed the I-130 again, just to see if I had somehow screwed up. Under "C. Information about your relative 17. List spouse and all children of your relative." I listed myself, because, well—I'm the spouse. It seemed like a repeat of information at the start of the form: "A. Relationship 1. I am filing this petition for my: (x) Spouse" It also asks: "If separate petitions are also being filed for other relatives, give names of each and relationship." I answered "none" I spoke with customer service at CGI this morning (Beijing office), and everything looks normal from their end. Looks like I just might have to wait for GUZ to answer my query. Cheers, d

Thanks, Andelu! We have written to GUZ via the website for direction, so hopefully they can clarify / help solve the problem—though I'm sure this will cost us precious time.

Thanks, dnoblett. I was also under the impression that we are to pay at the consulate on the day of the interview. Please check out my first post on this thread. Has anyone else had problems completing the DS-260 online? Or seen a message like the one I'm getting: The NVC has received notification that the applicant will join the principal applicant at a later date? If so, what did you do to solve the problem? Cheers, D

Sorry, I'm not sure I follow. So you think I'm getting the message: "The NVC has received notification that the applicant will join the principal applicant at a later date" and am unable to complete the DS-260 as requested because I have not pre-paid the fee for the DS-260 at the CITIC branch? I already went to the website you mentioned (http://www.ustraveld...aapplyinfo.asp#) as instructed and registered a CITIC "document delivery location." After doing this, I was able to print out a form with two barcodes on it. I thought this was meant to be presented when picking up the passport after the process is complete; now I'm not so sure. I couldn't figure out how to make a payment via that website. You wrote: "applicant pays this fee at a CITIC bank in China, and then provides the resulting receipt number when doing the DS-260," but also that: "You will provide information to that site (http://www.ustraveld...aapplyinfo.asp#) in order to pay the visa application fee" Does that mean I pay at the bank or that I pay online? If I go to the bank and pay, do I need to go to the bank twice: once to pay and get the "receipt number" that would allow me to fill out the DS-260; a second time to submit the requested docs (photos, passport info page, proof of complete DS-260 and CGI cover sheet)? This seems different from what I've read elsewhere, but as you can see, I'm not very clear on the matter. The instructions I received from GUZ today asked that I enter the applicant's dob as the "invoice ID number," and that works just fine for login purposes. They also say: Once you have completed the form (DS-260), print the confirmation page and submit it [their emphasis] along with other requested items in this notice (to the CITIC branch)…Ugh! Thanks, D

So we heard from GUZ today with the case number directing us (actually, directing Chinese National Husband) to go online and complete the DS-260 at https://ceac.state.gov/IV I thought I would get it started for CNH, but something weird is happening. When I log in to the site above, first I get a screen that says: "The next step in the immigration process is for each applicant to complete online form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. The DS-260 is designed to collect information that is necessary to adjudicate your immigrant visa application. The DS-260 form may be partially completed, saved online, and finished later, or may be completed all in one session. Before starting the form, applicants should gather the 'Documents The Applicant Must Submit' because they are needed to complete the DS-260 form. To begin the DS-260, please click on the Start link below. Please note that the DS-260 can only be completed after the applicant's Immigrant Visa Fee has been paid." Ok, sounds good. But how do I pay the fee? Not sure. So I go ahead and click the "Start" link, as instructed. Then I get a screen that looks like this: Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (DS-260) Application List for IV Case GUZ...(his case number) The NVC has received notification that the applicant will join the principal applicant at a later date. Given Name Surname Relationship Fee Status CNH's first and family name PRINCIPAL NOT APPLICABLE NOT AVAILABLE From this is screen, there is no way to move forward with the application that I can see... just a "Cancel" button at the bottom of the screen! I'm so confused. My spouse IS the principal applicant and there are no other family member, kids, etc. attached to this application. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong or what this might mean? Thanks in advance, D

Thanks! Glad to know I can hang onto my passport.

Dear CFL Members, Thrilled to hear from GUZ today, one month after receiving our I-130 approval notice from Beijing!! We are preparing to hop online and complete / submit the DS-260 and head to CITIC to send the required materials. Here is my question: Does my Chinese National Husband (CNH) need MY passport when he eventually goes to GUZ for his interview? I ask because I just saw a checklist posted elsewhere where this was included and it gave me pause. I've already secured a job in the US and will be heading there next month to start. The idea has always been that I will go ahead and CNH will follow as soon as we complete the DCF process. We already have all of the various materials together and a place rented in the States. I thought a copy of my passport info page was all that was needed. Of course, if I need to, I will DHL him my passport before his appointment in GUZ when we finally get it scheduled. But I don't want to do this unnecessarily. Thanks for all your help. D

Happy to tell everyone who thoughtfully replied to this post that we finally heard from GUZ today, a month to the day after we got our I-130 approval here in Beijing. We will be completing the DS-260 online this afternoon and submitting the requested materials (looks like just the pics and a copy of the passport info page) at CITIC tomorrow morning, if all goes well. Likely more inane questions from me to follow!

Thanks, Andy! The timetable really helps. We got our I-130 processed so quickly that I have no right to complain, but I do have a question about email notification. Did you fill out any special paperwork to make that happen? I completed a G-1145 and submitted it with the I-130, but there was only space for one email address (mine). In fact, I don't think any of the paperwork submitted with the I-130 has CNH's email address. Perhaps I should have submitted two of these, one for each of us. I am just wondering how GUZ will contact me / us to let us know we can submit the DS-260. The sooner, the better! Of course, knowing this won't change anything, but more information seems to set things at ease. Also, thanks for your post about pets. We are planning to take our cat using the United service. Seems easy enough. Cheers, D

Oh, glad I asked! We are doing it DCF in Beijing (I-130) and Guanghzou (the rest), so the extra "optional electronic processing" sounds completely unnecessary. Thanks for your quick reply!

Hi there, Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful replies to my previous posts! Here we go again... Just wondering if anyone has experience opting in for the Optional Electronic Processing when DCF-ing in GUZ? Details here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_5163.html Looks like by opting in, we can pay all fees / submit all docs electronically. I guess we would email the consulate (NVCElectronic@state.gov) to register BEFORE submitting the electronic DS-260s? I would *think* that scanning and emailing docs would be faster than processing stuff through CITIC, but I just wanted to check in with those on the board who may have tried it. Best, David

Hi Andelu, Happy New Year - and thanks for your thoughtful feedback! I am just now seeing your messages and they're really quite helpful. However, I'm embarrassed to say I'm a bit confused at this stage: As mentioned, we are post-I-130 and waiting to hear from GUZ. But perhaps we're waiting in vain? Can CNH go online now and set up his account / submit the DS-260? Or do we need to wait for a letter / email? I think at this point they only have my email address, not CNH's, though I will review the previously submitted paperwork to be sure. If we need to wait, can I ask for comparison - how long was your wait between I-130 approval notification and being able to submit the DS-260? I think the "unknown factor" with respect to wait times and procedures—par for the course—is really stressing CNH out. The more information I can provide, the better! Thanks and cheers! David

Thanks so much for this feedback! I just saw these messages. We went ahead and did #1 with a cover sheet to clarify all mysteries. Related question. We are now awaiting instruction from Guangzhou, having gotten the green light re: our I-130 from USCIS at the Beijing embassy. My question: What, exactly, are they going to send us? A letter with instructions and a code letting my husband register online and complete the electronic DS-260 forms? Some people report being notified via email at this stage, other via mail. I'm not sure what to expect next. Cheers, David

Dear CFL members, I have a basic question about the I-864 and have read conflicting answers on this and other websites. Basic scenario: In addition to my I-864, my sister is filing an I-864 on our behalf. She is married and files taxes jointly. However, her individual income (Part 6, Item 5) exceeds 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. So according to the instructions: "If this amount [item 6.5] is greater [than the 125%]...you do not need to include any household member's income. Ok, got it. But then under Part 6 items 13.a.1 - 13.c.1, it's asking for AGI "as reported on my federal tax returns." Seems straightforward enough. Since my sister filed jointly, her AGI includes her husband's income. So the amount listed on Part 6 item 5 ("current individual annual income") is different from AGI on taxes. This would be the case for anyone filling out this form who is married, files joint tax returns and makes enough money individually to support the I-864 without counting his / her spouse's income. Note: my sister will be including copies of last three years' 1040s and her personal W-2s. We see three possibilities: 1) Under Part 6, 13.a.1 - 13.c.1, list reported (joint) 1040 income for each year. Sister's husband does not complete I-864A. (Add or do not add a simple attachment breaking out sister's income for each of the three tax years, as shown on W-2s, as suggested here: http://www.immihelp.com/affidavit-of-support/federal-income-tax-documents.html ?) 2) Under Part 6, 13.a.1 - 13.c.1, make a note on the form and list only individual income from W-2s in each blank. Highlight W-2 copies so it's easier to connect the dots. Sister's husband does not complete I-864A. 3) Under Part 6, 13.a.1 - 13.c.1, list reported (joint) 1040 income for each year. Sister's husband is listed as Person 1 in Part 6 and he fills out I-864A. We are leaning toward #1 but want to make sure we get it right. Any thoughts? Thanks! David