F2A CEAC: How to log in and read NVC application status

What is CEAC?

CEAC is the electronic system used by the Department of State to manage many steps in the immigrant visa application process.

For consular processing F2A applications, CEAC becomes especially important after the application is created by NVC and the user receives the Welcome Letter.

Through CEAC, users can:

Track profile location.

See announcement from NVC.

Pay the required fees.

Complete DS-260.

Upload the necessary documents.

Track the status of each document.

Monitor Affidavit of Support status.

Follow Civil Documents.

Check to see if the file needs additional documents or corrections.

WHEN CAN I LOG IN TO CEAC?

Normally users need to receive information from NVC before starting to process the application.

NVC will provide:

NVC Case Number.

Invoice ID Number.

These two credentials are used to log in to CEAC.

If your I-130 has just been approved by USCIS but does not yet have an NVC Case Number and Invoice ID Number, you should not try to use the USCIS Receipt Number to log in to CEAC.

These are three different types of information.

NVC CASE NUMBER AND INVOICE ID USED FOR LOGIN

When logging into CEAC for immigrant visa applications, users need to use the correct:

NVC Case Number.

Invoice ID Number.

Do not use:

USCIS Receipt Number.

Priority Date.

A-Number.

Self-set file number.

If either information is entered incorrectly, the system may report an error.

WHAT IF I CAN'T LOG IN TO CEAC?

First check each character for accuracy.

Pay special attention:

The number 0 and the letter O.

Number 1 and letter I.

Uppercase characters.

Don't add spaces.

Do not remove characters from Case Number.

Do not use USCIS codes in place of NVC codes.

If the Case Number and Invoice ID are both correct but still cannot log in, you should take a screenshot of the error and use NVC's official contact channel to request support.

Do not share your CEAC login photo publicly on social networks.

WHAT WILL YOU SEE AFTER LOGGING IN TO CEAC?

After successfully logging in, the user will see the profile's Summary Information page.

This is one of the most important screens.

Here you can see:

Profile information.

Profile location.

Information of the person being guaranteed.

Financial sponsor information.

Charge status.

DS-260 status.

Affidavit of Support status.

Status of Financial Documents.

Status of Civil Documents.

Notice from NVC.

Users should not only look at a single status line.

Need to check all Summary Information.

WHAT IS THE SECTION “YOUR CASE IS CURRENTLY AT”?

This is the area that shows where the profile is currently in processing.

Depending on the time, the profile may show that you are in:

NVC.

Embassy.

Consulate.

This is very useful to determine which stage the application is in.

If the file is still at NVC, users continue to follow the processing steps at NVC.

If the application has been forwarded to a consulate, the next process will involve more interviews and visa processing at that office.

WHAT DOES STATUS “START NOW” MEAN?

If seen:

START NOW

it usually means that step has not been started and the user needs to perform the corresponding operation.

Possible examples:

START NOW in section IV Application.

The user then needs to start DS-260 if qualified to perform this step.

START NOW may also appear in the document area depending on the status of the application.

WHAT DOES STATUS “INCOMPLETE” MEAN?

INCOMPLETE means that part is not complete.

For example:

DS-260 is INCOMPLETE.

This means that the user has started but not yet completed and submitted the application.

Or a group of documents is INCOMPLETE.

At that time, you need to check the document again and complete the missing items.

WHAT DOES STATUS “NOT SUBMITTED” MEAN?

NOT SUBMITTED means that the requested information or documents have not been submitted to NVC for review.

This is a state users need to pay attention to.

If a required document remains NOT SUBMITTED, do not assume that NVC has received and is reviewing the document.

You need to check your profile again and take the appropriate submission steps.

WHAT DOES STATUS “PAID” MEAN?

PAID is often related to the fees of the record.

Once the fee has been paid and the system t