NVC Case Status

What is NVC?

After applicants submits an immigration petition, your application is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). However, it’s important to note that your application is forwarded to the NVC only after the USCIS approves the petition. After the NVC receives the petition from the USCIS, the agency assigns a case number. Applicants should be contacted by the NVC confirming that their petitions have been received by the agency.

Applicants should be aware that NVC case number is different from USCIS case number or immigrant visa number. Applicants should document and store these numbers in a safe place as they will need to refer to these numbers throughout the immigration process. Once the NVC completes processing applications, applicants will be interviewed.

Below is the list of petitions processed thru the NVC:

 

How Do I Check My NVC Case Status?

Before checking the NVC case status, applicants should know steps the National Visa Center takes to process your application. During the process, you may be required to communicate with the agency. NVC shall

  1. Invoice applicants for processing fees. Check if your financial situation & application qualifies for fee waiver (I-912)
  2. Receive visa application and supporting documents
  3. Queue and process applicant’s visa petition.
  4. Notify the applicant with the interview date if processed successfully. If unsuccessful, NVC shall send you a rejection notice.

You can check your NVC Case Status by visiting the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), which is part of the Department of State. You can check the status via CEAC portal or phone.

  • Phone – Contact the National Visa Center at 603-334-0700
  • CEAC Portal website

Using the website will require a NVC case number for immigrant visas and an interview location for non-immigrant visas.

 

How Do I Contact NVC?

Applicants can contact the National Visa Center through several methods. Please note non-immigrant visa questions cannot be inquired through fax or email. For those, refer to other communication methods.

Email (Immigrant Visa Only)
Visit the NVC website.

 

Phone (Immigrant Visa)
Dial 603-334-0700. Phone line is available from 7 AM – 12 AM (EST) from Monday through Friday. Customer service is closed on U.S. holidays.

 

Phone (Non-immigrant Visa)
Dial 603-334-0888. Phone line is available from 7 AM – 12 AM (EST) from Monday through Friday. Customer service is closed on U.S. holidays.

 

Mail (Immigrant Visa Only)
Send inquiries to the following mailing address.
National Visa Center Attn: WC
31 Rochester Avenue
Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH  03801-2915

 

However, before applications are sent to the NVC, they must be processed at the regional USCIS offices. A common mistake is applicants contacting the NVC before the USCIS completes its review and assigning a case number. To check applications that are still pending at the USCIS facility, applicants must call the appropriate facility.

 

Email (Immigrant Visa Only)
Applicants must examine the first three letters to determine the regional facility. For example, CSC 16 054 23239 indicates application was accepted at the California service center.

  • CSC – California Service Center;
  • EAC – Vermont Service Center, formerly known as Eastern Adjudication Center;
  • IOE – ELIS (efile);
  • LIN – Nebraska Service Center, formerly known as Lincoln Service Center;
  • MSC – National Benefits Center, formerly known as Missouri Service Center;
  • NBC – National Benefits Center;
  • NSC – Nebraska Service Center;
  • SRC – Texas Service Center, formerly known as Southern Regional Center;
  • TSC – Texas Service Center;
  • VSC – Vermont Service Center;
  • WAC – California Service Center, formerly known as Western Adjudication Center

 

Phone (Immigrant Visa)
Dial 1-800-375-5283

 

What is CEAC?

CEAC stands for the Consular Electronic Application Center. CEAC is part of the Department of State and operated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Using the CEAC website, foreign nationals applying for visa can submit and check their status from anywhere in the world. Before the Department of State implemented the CEAC, applicants had to submit their petitions via mail. However, applicants can now start the immigration process using the CEAC website. The website provides an easy, streamlined, and secure way for applicants to obtain a visa. Applicants use the website to submit an application and check the application status.

 

Non-immigrant

DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

DS-1648: Online A, G, or NATO Application

 

Immigrant

DS-261: Online Choice of Address and Agent

DS-260: Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application

 

Visit the CEAC website to start your visa application. Applicants will their full name, date of birth, interview location, and the USCIS case number.  Subsequently, applicants utilize CEAC to check their visa status. 

 

How is CEAC Related to NVC?

Applicants use the CEAC website to submit an application and required documents as well as pay processing fees to the National Visa Center (NVC). When you received a unique case number and instructions, you must visit the CEAC website to pay processing fees and submit required documents. It’s important to note you cannot start the immigration application process until you pay your application fees. Once paid, you can start your immigration visa application form (DS-260) and Affidavit of Support (I-864). Along with those forms, you need to submit supporting documents. The list of supporting document depends on answered submitted in DS-260. After submitting the application on the CEAC website, NVC reviews your documents and updates the CEAC website with case comments. Lastly, you will receive an appointment letter at a U.S. embassy or consulate for an in-person interview.

 

What Does My CEAC Visa Status Mean?

Applicants can visit the CEAC to check their immigration visa status. Codes below indicate the applicant’s immigration progress.

 

No Status

  • No Status indicates there is no update available on the petition.

At NVC

  • At NVC status indicates the application has been received by the National Visa Center, but the agency has not started processing it.

In Transit

  • In Transit status indicates your case is being sent to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once the embassy receives the application, applicants will receive an appointment letter.

Ready

  • Ready status indicates the application has been sent to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The applicant shall receive an appointment for an in-person interview or to collect fingerprints.

Issued

  • Issued status indicates the application is approved after a successful interview.

Refused

  • Refused status indicates the application is rejected. For detailed information, contact the embassy that conducted your interview or the USCIS.

Administrative Processing

  • Administrative Processing status indicates additional review is required on the application. Further review may take up to 60 days. If additional documents are required, embassy or consulate will contact the applicant.

Expired

  • Expired status indicates an applicant’s immigrant visa has been cancelled.