The CEAC website provides access to the latest U.S. non-immigrant and immigrant visa application forms. This site has been enhanced on August 1, 2012 to provide new features. In this article we take a look at some of the new features.
Status of Visa Application
Both non-immigrant and immigrant visa applicants have the option to check the status of his/her visa application online. The status is immediately updated after the interview to reflect the consular officer’s decision: “Issued” or “Refused.” To verify their status, applicants can use either the CEAC application ID, generated at the time the application is created, or the case ID that is created by the consular officer at the time the INA 221(g) request is issued. This feature was unavailable earlier.
Changes to Form DS-160
The new site has streamlined the Form DS-160 application. It now has a simple feature to create, upload, or retrieve an application. The “create” option is used to create a new non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160; the “upload” option is used when an applicant has previously saved DS-160 data to their computer and wishes to use this file to upload the information; the “retrieve” option is used to pull up a partially completed visa application form. Though this was available earlier, the procedure to use one of the features was cumbersome
Minor changes were made to the non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160. A note on each page states, “Do not carry this for visa interview.” This was not conspicuous previously.
The Form DS-160 seeks information about prior employment. Previously, the form requested information about prior employment only if the applicant was employed in the last five years, prior to the date of application. Now, the form requests prior employment information for the last five years of the applicant’s employment, even if the applicant had retired several years ago.
Visa applicants have the option to review the Form DS-160 prior to submission, once all information is provided. Under the old system, if an applicant had to make any changes, it was very difficult to go back to the review mode. This has been made simpler now.
New Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-260
At the time of this writing, the new Form DS-260 has been introduced on a pilot basis at the U.S. Consulate, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This form replaces DS-230, which currently is used by immigrant visa applicants. Form DS-260 will be phased in at U.S. Embassies and Consulates across the world in the near future.
Conclusion
We at Murthy Immigration Services will continue to keep our readers and subscribers informed of any changes to the non-immigrant or immigrant visa application process.
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