Where to find your case status online

The National Visa Center (NVC) maintains a case status tool on its website at travel.state.gov/nvc. You can check the status of your immigrant visa case at any time by entering your case number and date of birth. The tool shows you where your case stands in the process — whether it is waiting for documents, scheduled for an interview, or ready for the next step.

The NVC handles visa cases after USCIS approves your petition but before you interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Checking your status here tells you what the NVC is waiting for from you, not what USCIS is doing with your initial petition.

You will need two pieces of information to look up your case: your NVC case number and your date of birth. Your case number appears on the receipt notice you received after USCIS approved your petition. If you cannot find it, you can also search by your passport number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The NVC case status tool is at travel.state.gov/nvc and shows where your immigrant visa case stands in the process.
  • You need your NVC case number (from your USCIS approval notice) or your passport number to search.
  • The status tool tells you what documents the NVC is waiting for and whether your case is scheduled for an interview.
  • If your case status has not changed in several months, contact the NVC by phone or email rather than waiting.
  • The NVC processes cases in the order they arrive, so timing depends on visa category, country of origin, and current workload.

What the different case statuses mean

The NVC assigns your case one of several statuses, and each one tells you what is happening or what you need to do next. Administrative Processing means the NVC is reviewing your case file and gathering information — this is normal and can take weeks or months. Awaiting Documents means the NVC has sent you a list of papers to submit and is waiting for you to send them back.

Interview Scheduled means the NVC has assigned you a date and time to appear at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. You will receive an interview appointment notice by mail or email with the exact date, time, and location. Case Completed means the visa has been issued or the case has been closed — you should have received separate notification about which one.

If your status shows Awaiting Documents, check the NVC website or your email for the specific list of papers they need. Common documents include a police certificate, medical exam results, birth certificate, and financial support forms. The NVC gives you a important date to submit these — usually 60 days — and if you miss it, your case may be closed.

How to submit documents to the NVC

Once you know what documents the NVC needs, you have two ways to send them: by mail or through the online portal. The NVC online portal is faster and gives you a receipt showing the NVC received your documents. To use it, you log in with your case number and date of birth at travel.state.gov/nvc, then upload your files as PDFs or image files.

If you mail documents instead, send them to the address listed on the NVC's request letter. Include a cover sheet with your case number and full name so the NVC can match the papers to your file. Mail takes longer — allow two to three weeks for the NVC to receive and process your envelope.

The NVC will send you an email or letter confirming receipt of your documents. After that, the status may change to Administrative Processing again while they review what you sent. Do not submit documents twice — check your case status first to see if the NVC already received them.

When to contact the NVC directly

If your case status has not changed in several months, or if you are unsure what documents you need to send, contact the NVC by phone or email. The NVC phone line is 1-603-334-0700 and operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Have your case number ready when you call.

You can also email the NVC through the online portal by logging into your case and sending a message. Email responses usually take one to two weeks. If you are calling from outside the United States, use the international dialing code for the U.S. (1) before the number.

The NVC cannot speed up your case or change the order in which cases are processed, but they can tell you if documents are missing, if your case is stuck waiting for something, or if there is a problem with your file. If the NVC tells you something is wrong, ask them for the exact steps to fix it and the important date to do so.

Understanding processing times and delays

The NVC does not publish a standard processing time because the speed depends on your visa category, your country of origin, and how many cases the NVC is handling at that moment. Family-based immigrant visas (spouse, parent, adult child) often move faster than employment-based visas. Cases for people from countries with higher visa demand may take longer.

Some cases move through the NVC in two to three months. Others wait six months or longer, especially if the NVC is requesting additional documents or if your case requires administrative processing for security or background checks. You cannot see how many cases are ahead of yours, but the status tool will show you when the NVC is actively working on your file.

If your case has been in Administrative Processing for more than six months with no change, or if the NVC tells you they are waiting for something you already sent, ask to speak with a supervisor. Keep copies of everything you submit and the dates you submitted it — this helps you prove the NVC received your documents if there is a dispute.

What to do if you cannot find your case number

Your case number appears on the I-797 Notice of Action that USCIS sent you when your petition was approved. Look for a number that starts with three letters (usually your country code) followed by numbers — for example, MXC2024123456. If you cannot locate this notice, check your email for the approval letter or contact USCIS to request a copy.

If you have lost your case number entirely, you can search the NVC database using your passport number instead. Log into the NVC portal and select the option to search by passport. You will need your full name and passport number as they appear in your travel document.

If neither method works, call the NVC at 1-603-334-0700 and provide your full name, date of birth, and passport number. The NVC staff can look up your case and give you the case number so you can check your status online in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my case status?

Check once a week or every two weeks if you are waiting for a status change. Checking more often will not speed up your case. If your status has not changed in two months, contact the NVC to ask if they are waiting for something from you.

Will the NVC send me an email when my status changes?

The NVC does not automatically email you when your status updates. You must check the website yourself or contact them by phone. Some consulates will email you directly when your interview is scheduled, but this comes separately from the NVC status tool.

What does it mean if my case status disappeared from the system?

If your case no longer appears in the NVC database, it may have been transferred to the consulate where you will interview, or it may have been closed. Call the NVC to confirm what happened. Do not assume your case is lost — the NVC will have a record even if the online tool does not show it.

Can I check my case status if someone else is the beneficiary?

You can check the status if you are the principal beneficiary or the when ready family member listed on the petition. You will need the case number and the beneficiary's date of birth. If you are not listed on the petition, the NVC cannot give you case information due to privacy rules.

What should I do if the NVC says my documents are incomplete?

The NVC will send you a letter or email listing exactly which documents are missing or need to be redone. Follow that list precisely and resubmit through the online portal if possible. Include a note explaining what you are sending and why — for example, "Resubmitting police certificate as requested in letter dated [date]."