Overview
Quickly and easily move from intake to automatic data input with Mycase's Immigration Add-On e-filing for DS-260. In just a couple of easy steps, you can have your family or employment-based DS-260 application ready to be filed!
How does it work?
With the MyCase Immigration Add-On, you can use our Smart Forms to electronically file the DS-260, making it more efficient than ever.
Once the information has been entered into the MyCase Immigration Add-On, a new DS-260 Application will be created on the CEAC website with all of the information provided with just a couple of clicks!
Notes:
Related processing fees must be paid, and the status in CEAC must be updated to 'PAID' before you e-file the related DS-260.
A separate DS-260 is required for each applicant (principal/derivative).
E-Filing Steps
With the MyCase Immigration Add-On, e-filing and completing the DS-260 are easy. We use a step-by-step e-filing process. The information below explains each step.
Step 0: Create Forms and Complete Questionnaire
Creating the e-File Smart Forms
To get started
Select The Immigration Add-on tab from the Case Details page.
Click the Create New Form button.
Select a Contact & Case.
Under Add Forms, select DS-260 from the drop-down menu.
Add the Beneficiary and Petitioner in the Assemble Your Packet section of the form.
Click the Save & next button to finish creating the form.
Note: A separate DS-260 is required for each applicant (principal/derivative). When first creating the form, add the petitioner of the immigrant visa under Petitioner and the applicant (principal/derivative) under Beneficiary.
Invite Clients to complete the form.
Click the Save & Next button to continue.
Completing the Smart Form Questionnaire
After creating the forms, you can add information directly to the questionnaire.
Note: The CEAC Platform doesn't have comprehensive validations for the mandatory fields required to complete your application.
Step 1: DS-260 E-Filing Start
Start e-Filing
Click the e-File this form on ceac.state.gov button to get started.
After you click this button, the MyCase Immigration Add-On automatically validates whether or not the questionnaire is filled out correctly so it can be synced to the CEAC platform.
Please note that you must pay the related processing fees and update the status in CEAC to 'PAID' before you e-file the related DS-260.
If the Initial Validation Passes
If the initial validation passes, you can start e-filing the form by following the actions shown in Step 3: DS-260 E-filing Status.
You will start by entering the Case Number, Invoice ID, and Select who is filing this application.
Click Submit.
If the Initial Validation Fails
If the initial validation fails, you will receive an error message with a list of errors that need to be fixed before you can e-file the form. For more information, see Step 2: Principal Form Validation.
Step 2: DS-260 Validation
Addressing Validation Issues
In this second step, you will need to fix any validation errors presented in the e-File tab of the smart form. All of the errors are summarized in the e-File tab, and you can navigate directly to each question using the associated link, as shown below:
Each question that must be addressed will also be highlighted, and the error related to the questionnaire's response will be explained.
Re-Validating
Once you have addressed the validation errors in the e-File tab, click the Re-Validate button to have the MyCase Immigration Add-On re-validate whether the questionnaire was filled out correctly.
If the Validation Passes
If the validation passes, you will see a success message letting you know that your form is ready to be e-filed, and you can proceed to e-file the form by following the steps shown in Step 3: DS-260 E-filing Status.
If the Validation Fails
You must address any outstanding error in the e-File tab if the validation fails. For more information, see Addressing Validation Issues.
Step 3: DS-260 E-Filing Status
E-Filing the DS-260
Once your form has no validation errors, you can click the e-File this form on ceac.state.gov button e-file the form.
Entering Information to Sync to the CEAC platform
To sync the e-filing to the CEAC platform, you must provide the Case Number, Invoice ID, and who is filing the application.
After entering all the necessary information, click the Submit button to start syncing your e-filing.
You will receive a message letting you know that your form is successfully queued to be e-filed.
If the e-Filing was Unsuccessful
If the e-Filing was unsuccessful, you will receive a prompt that the e-filing was unsuccessful.
If your e-filing was unsuccessful, please ensure the info entered for the Case Number and Invoice ID are correct. Once you have verified that the information is correct, click the e-File this form on ceac.state.gov button to re-attempt your e-filing.