Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be complex, and sometimes you need to reach out to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for assistance. Whether you are checking your case status, need technical support, or have specific inquiries, understanding how to effectively contact USCIS is crucial. This guide provides you with comprehensive information on how to get in touch with USCIS and find the help you need.
Utilizing the USCIS Online Case Status Tool
Before reaching out directly, remember that USCIS offers a robust online case status tool. This web page provides the same information you would receive from a USCIS representative and is available 24/7. Accessible from any device – cell phone, tablet, or computer – it’s the quickest way to check the status of your case. You can access this tool at any time for immediate updates.
Contacting the USCIS Contact Center
For inquiries beyond case status checks, the USCIS Contact Center is available for those within the United States or a U.S. territory. You can call the USCIS Contact Center to speak with a representative directly.
Operating Hours: Representatives are available via phone and live chat Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Callback Information: If your issue requires further assistance and is escalated, the Contact Center might call you back between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Technical Support and Password Assistance
For technical difficulties related to your USCIS online account, several resources are available:
USCIS Online Account Help: For technical assistance with your online account, visit the dedicated help page: my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp. Alternatively, you can send a secure message directly from your USCIS online account inbox.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Inquiries: For questions specifically about FOIA, you can email USCIS at [email protected].
myE-Verify Support: If you have questions regarding myE-Verify, please visit the myE-Verify contact page: myEverify.
Inquiries Based on Where You Filed Your Case
For case-specific questions, USCIS offers several avenues for support depending on where your case is being processed.
Online Tools and Case Inquiries: USCIS provides convenient online tools to help answer your case questions. Explore these resources first. If you still require assistance after using the online tools, you can submit an online case inquiry or contact the USCIS Contact Center. Depending on the nature of your request, USCIS may forward a service request to the specific office handling your case.
USCIS Service Centers and the National Benefits Center (NBC): USCIS operates five service centers (California, Nebraska, Texas, Vermont, and Potomac) and the National Benefits Center (NBC). These centers process various immigration applications and petitions.
- Service Centers: Handle specific types of applications and petitions.
- National Benefits Center (NBC): Processes cases with receipt numbers starting with MSC and NBC*.
It’s important to note that neither the service centers nor the NBC offer in-person assistance for case inquiries. If you have contacted the USCIS Contact Center regarding a case at a service center or the NBC and a service request was submitted, you should expect a response within 30 days (or 15 days for expedited requests). If you do not receive a response within this timeframe or believe the response was inadequate, you can contact the USCIS Contact Center again to escalate your inquiry.
Lockbox Inquiries: For questions related to filings mailed to a USCIS Lockbox facility (Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, or Elgin Lockbox), you can email [email protected]. When emailing, please include the form number, receipt number, petitioner and/or applicant name, and mailing address. Do not include Social Security numbers in emails.
Examples of Lockbox inquiries include:
- Reasons for submission rejection.
- Guidance on where and how to submit applications or petitions to Lockbox locations.
- Inquiries about receipt notices not received after 30 days of filing.
Specialized Inquiries
USCIS also provides specialized support for specific types of inquiries:
Adoption-Related Questions: USCIS has a dedicated team to assist with adoption-related inquiries. Visit the USCIS Adoption Contact Information page for more details.
Administrative Appeals Office (AAO): For information on contacting the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), refer to the Contacting the AAO webpage.
VAWA, T, and U Filings (Including Form I-751 Abuse Waivers): For inquiries about previously filed, pending, or approved VAWA, T, or U-related cases, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833). This line can also assist with services like address changes.
For security reasons, USCIS will verify your identity before providing case-specific information. Have your receipt notice and a copy of your application readily available when you call. If the Contact Center cannot resolve your issue, you may be scheduled for an in-person appointment at a USCIS field office.
Protected individuals can also send secure messages through their USCIS online account for enhanced identity verification and assistance.
Written inquiries for VAWA, T, and U cases can be mailed to specific service centers depending on the receipt number prefix (EAC for Vermont, LIN for Nebraska). Specific addresses are provided in the original document for mail-in inquiries. For Form I-751 waiver inquiries based on battery or extreme cruelty, mail signed inquiries to the relevant service center based on location, with addresses listed for California, Nebraska, Potomac, Texas, and Vermont Service Centers in the original document.
Attorneys and accredited representatives can also email inquiries to specific service centers, provided they have a Form G-28 on file for the case. Email addresses are available in the original document for authorized representatives.
Inquiries for Specific Groups
Employers (E-Verify): The E-Verify Contact Center is available to assist employers with E-Verify usage, password resets, case assistance, technical support, and questions about E-Verify policies, Form I-9, and employment eligibility.
Immigrant Investor Program Office (IPO) (E-B5): For questions about the Immigrant Investor Program, contact E-B5 support.
Military Help Line: USCIS provides a dedicated Military Help Line: 877-CIS-4MIL ((877) 247-4645). For TTY services, dial 711. More information is available on the Military Help Line page.
Media and Public Engagement Inquiries
Media Inquiries: For media-related questions, speak with a USCIS spokesperson.
Public Engagement Division: To contact the Public Engagement Division or a community relations officer, visit Contact the Public Engagement Division.
Providing Feedback to USCIS
USCIS values public feedback and offers several avenues to share your thoughts:
Policy Feedback: Submit feedback on Policy Manual publications via the Policy Manual Feedback page.
Regulations, Forms, and Information Collection: Provide comments on proposed regulations and forms through regulations.gov, following instructions in the Federal Register notices.
General Feedback: For general feedback, concerns, or information requests, visit the Feedback Opportunities page.
Stay Informed: Sign up for automatic notifications from USCIS to receive updates on regulations, policies, and forms. You can also monitor the USCIS Federal Register notifications.
Visiting a USCIS Field Office
If online tools and the Contact Center cannot resolve your issue, you may need to visit a USCIS field office. Call the USCIS Contact Center to request an appointment.
Accessing Records and Research
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests: To make a FOIA request, visit the FOIA and Privacy Act webpage.
Historical Reference Library: Researchers can visit the USCIS Historical Reference Library by appointment only. Email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
Genealogy Program: For genealogy records requests and inquiries, visit the USCIS Genealogy program webpage.
Reporting Fraud, Misconduct, and Website Issues
Immigration Fraud and Abuse: Report immigration fraud via the Report Fraud webpage.
USCIS Employee Misconduct: To report USCIS employee violations or misconduct, visit the report employee violations, misconduct, or abuses page.
Website Errors and Feedback: Provide website feedback to [email protected] (for English) or [email protected] (for Spanish). Do not send case-specific information to these email addresses.
This comprehensive guide ensures you know the best ways to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for any issue you may encounter. By utilizing the appropriate channels, you can efficiently find the assistance you need from USCIS.
