13 Links & Tools to Answer Your Immigration Questions and Guide You Through the Process

13 Links & Tools to Answer Your Immigration Questions and Guide You Through the Process:

1. How can I learn about the status of my pending immigration case?
   • Visit: Case Status Online – Case Status Search (uscis.gov)
2. How long will it take my immigration case to be decided?
   • Visit: USCIS Processing Timeframes: Processing Times (uscis.gov)Directions for using this page:
3. Select your form type, category, and the Service Center or Field Office where your case is being processed.
   
   USCIS will provide an average processing timeframe for your case type.
4. Then, enter the date that USCIS received your petition or application. You will be given a specific date for when your case is eligible for an inquiry.
   1. If your case is eligible for an inquiry, visit e-Request – Self Service Tools (uscis.gov)
      
      Submit a case inquiry for “outside normal processing time”
      
   2. How can I find the correct edition of form(s?) to file for my immigration petition or application type?
   3. Visit: USCIS Forms: All Forms | USCIS
      
      You can find all current edition forms available on the USCIS website here. Look for the edition date of your specific form on the bottom left corner of each page.
      
      It is very important that you submit the correct edition date for your form! Forms submitted with old edition dates will be rejected and sent back to you.

4. Which civil documents from my country are accepted by the U.S. Government for visa purposes?

Visit: U.S. Visa Reciprocity Schedule: U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country (state.gov)

Select your country to see which specific documents are accepted by USCIS, the Department of State and U.S. Embassies.

5. How can I apply for a non-immigrant visa for my planned vacation or temporary visit to the United States?

Visit: Department of State Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Times: Visa Appointment Wait Times (state.gov)

Check to see how long it will take to get an interview appointment at your closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

**Please note that some Embassies/Consulates have very long wait times, so it is very important to plan well in advance for your trip!

6. If I’m on a waiting list for my immigrant visa, how can I know when I have reached the front of the line and can claim my visa?

Visit: Department of State Visa Bulletin: The Visa Bulletin (state.gov)

Here you can view an updated waiting list (also known as a priority date) which shows your place in line. When your priority date becomes “current,” you are at the front of the line and your immigrant visa is available for you to claim. You can then apply for your green card.

7. What should I do if I have received a “Request for Evidence” (RFE) from USCIS, or a 221g from an Embassy or Consulate that requires an additional or alternate document?

Visit: U.S. Visa Reciprocity Schedule: U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country (state.gov)

Refer to this schedule to ensure you are submitting the correct document.

8. How can I contact the National Visa Center about my case?

Visit: National Visa Center Inquiry: Public Inquiry Form (state.gov)

The NVC Public Inquiry Form is the only way to contact the National Visa Center about specific questions, updates, or concerns you have about your case..

Visit: NVC Timeframes (state.gov)

Here you can check various National Visa Center (NVC) Timeframes, including how long it may take for you to receive a response to your inquiry, current case review timeframes, and file creation timeframes.

9. What should I do if my immigration notice, document, or card from USCIS is lost or missing in the mail?

Visit: USCIS eRequest: e-Request – Self Service Tools (uscis.gov)

Submit an inquiry to track down your missing mail.

10. What should I do if my immigration notice, document, or card from USCIS has a typographic error?

Visit: USCIS eRequest: e-Request – Self Service Tools (uscis.gov)

Notify them of the mistake and ask them to correct it.

11. What if I have a disability and require special accommodations for my USCIS appointment?

Visit: USCIS eRequest: e-Request – Self Service Tools (uscis.gov)

Request your needed accommodation.

12. What if I’ve moved since I submitted my immigration application or petition to USCIS?

Visit: USCIS Change of Address: CoA – Regulatory Information (uscis.gov)

By law, when you move you must update your address with USCIS within 10 days so you do not miss any important notices in the mail!

13. What if I have other immigration questions that aren’t addressed on this page?

Visit: “Ask Emma,” the USCIS’s computer generated virtual assistant at Meet Emma, Our Virtual Assistant | USCIS

“Emma” can answer your questions and direct you to specific content on the USCIS website. “Emma” can also connect you to a live chat with a USCIS Agent or Customer Service Representative to discuss your questions or concerns.

We hope you’ve found these links helpful to answer your immigration questions and concerns. Alaska Immigration Law Center & US Immigration Law Center regularly use these same important links in our work on behalf of our clients.